Question

When did the Wilkinson Law come into existence in Chota Nagpur?
1. 1834
2. 1835
3. 1836
4. 1837

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 1837

The correct answer is 1837.

• In 1837, the Wilkinson Law come into existence in Chota Nagpur.
• Birua's claim is based on the 1837 'Wilkinson's Rule' — a British-era instrument to control the Kolhan region, comprising West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, and Seraikela Kharsawan districts of Jharkhand.
• In 1837 though, Wilkinson decided that Kolhan be declared a ‘Kolhan Separate Estate’, headquartered in Chaibasa.
  • He came out with what was called ‘The Wilkinson’s Rule’, under which traditional customary laws of Munda-Manaki would continue to be followed.
• For this law, the Mundas were responsible for civil issues at the village level, Manaki, one per gram panchayat, looked after criminal issues.
  • Since Independence, there has been no explicit legislation setting aside The Wilkinson’s Rule.

• Controversies with Wilkinson's rule:
  • Kolhan Raksha Sangh (KRS) in 1981 proclaimed that
    • Kolhan was a govt. estate during independence with an administrative setup on Wilkinson's rule.
    • KRS representative came to Delhi to argue Kolhan was a republic and its alliance with the British commonwealth and British Crown.
    • They also sent representatives to UN Geneva.
    • Later Leaders of KRS faced sedition charges and some went underground.