The present work contains an account of the freedom movement of Chotanagpur, the tribal belt of Bihar, from 1885 to 1947. In the Chotanagpur plateau Ranchi, Hazari- bagh, Palamau and Singhbhum have a distinct place in the struggle for freedom. The tribals of these districts partici- pated in the main stream of national life from the later part of the nineteenth century. The Mundas and Oraons of Ranchi district, the Santhals of Hazaribagh, the Cheros, Kharwars and Oraons of Palamu and the Larka Kols(Hos) of Singhbhum alongwith other settlers were never recon- ciled to the British rule which brought in the ruin of the tribal society and economy. Later they joined the pro- grammes of the Indian National Congress under the leader- ship of Mahatma Gandhi.

I am sincerely grateful to my esteemed teacher the late Dr. Vishnu Anugrah Narain, former University Professor, Department of History, Patna University, Patna, without whose unfailing guidance and encouragement I would not have completed this work. I feel proud of having had the privilege of pursuing my studies under his supervision.

I am very much indebted to Dr. P. N. Ojha, the then Director, Higher Education, Government of Bihar and former Director, K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna. It was due to his efforts that the present work was recom- mended for publication.