Contents: Preface. 1. Tribal communities of bastar. 2. Methodology. 3. The halba revolution and collapse of Chalukya rule (1774-1779). 4. The plunderous military campaigns (1779-1818). 5. Anglo-Maratha rule and paralkote agitation (1819-1842). 6. The Tarapur uprising (1842-1854). 7. The meria insurgency (1842-1863). 8. The British rule (1853-1856). 9. The great rising of 1856-1857. 10. The Koi revolution in 1859. 11. Culture and society in pre-British bastar. 12. The first phase of British rule (1853-1876). 13. The Muria insurrection, 1876. 14. The second phase of British rule in bastar (1876-1878) and the first lady's revolt (1876-1886). 15. Bastar at the onset of imperialism (1886-1910). 16. The great Bhumkal of 1910. 17. March to freedom (1910-1947). Conclusion. Glossary. Appendices: I. Evolution and Revolution in 84 parganas. II. Names of the political agents. III. List of laws in force. IV. Names of the revolutionary leaders. V. Main centres of revolutionary activities. VI. A leja or love song of the Raj Murias. Notes to Chapters. Bibliography.

"The present volume is a major break through on the people's history of Bastar, being the first attempt to survey and assess the phases of rebellion which earned a distinctive character of its own, by virtue of militant outlook and methods. The twelve rebellions dealt with in this volume tell the story of suffering of the tribal people and their connected revolts against the oppressor." (jacket)