Context: Mangarh hillock in Rajasthan declared a monument of national importance as a tribute to 1500 Bhil tribal freedom fighters.

Mangarh Hillock

• Mangarh Hillock is a hillock in the Aravalli range and situated in Banswara District, Rajasthan, near the Rajasthan-Gujarat border.

• On 17 November 1913, a gathering of local Bhils numbering about 1500 were brutally killed by the British army when they refused to disperse.

• The Bhils assembled were followers of social reformer Govind Guru, who led the “Bhagat movement” in the late 19th century among Bhil tribes, which aimed to ’emancipate’ them by prescribing, among other things, adherence to vegetarianism and abstinence from all kinds of intoxicants. 

• The Bhils rose in rebellion against the oppressive policies of the British and forced farm labour imposed by the local princely rulers.

Bhil tribe

• The word Bhil is derived from “Veel”, which means “bow” in the Dravidian language.

• The Bhil tribe is called “Dhanush Purush of India” because they are highly adept at learning Dhanush.

• They are a group of tribal Indians scattered throughout India from Gujarat in the west to Tripura in the Far East.

• They have a rich and unique culture. 

• Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe.

• Ghoomar is the symbol of femininity.

• The young women take art in this dance and declare that they are stepping into women’s shoes.