Context: In the tribal regions of Rajasthan, tribal parties such as Bharat Adivasi Party, are aiming to frame a broader ideology to create awakening among the tribes. Signboards with drawings of the 16th century tribal icon Rana Punja Bhil have been placed in several places.
The Union Government, through the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, has also started a project to revise existing literature on Adivasi histories and communities, shifting from colonial-era perspectives to indigenous narratives.
About Raja Punja Bhil:
- Rana Punja Bhil or Poonja, was a tribal leader belonging to Bhil tribe.
- Rana Punja became king of Bhomat region in southern region of Rajasthan.
- In 1576 he fought alongside Rana of Mewar, Maharana Pratap against the Mughal emperor Akbar's forces, led by Man Singh I in the Battle of Haldighati.
- Punja brought a contingent of Bhil tribesmen and himself led a crucial role in Haldighati.
- Note:
- The battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between the Mewar forces led by Maharana Pratap, and the Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amber.
- Maharana Pratap was defeated in this battle.
- After Akbar ascended the throne he started acquiring Rajputana States by using his diplomacy skills.
About Bhil tribe:
- Listed as tribal people in: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan as well as in Bengal and Tripura.
- Classified as Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan.
- Term ‘Bhil’ was used to refer to various ethnic communities living in the forests and hills of Rajasthan's southern parts and surrounding regions of western India, highlighting the popularity of the bow and arrow as a weapon among these groups.
- Language: Bhili, throughout their geographic distribution.
- Bhil Rebellion:
- The rulers of princely states in southern Gujarat were Bhils.
- The Bhils rebelled on several occasions during the British colonial era, notably in 1846, 1857–58 and 1868.
- The Bhils were designated as a criminal tribe by the British colonial government under the Criminal Tribes Act 1871.