Aftermath of the Santhal Revolt

The correct answer is option 'C' - Santhals were granted a Santhal Pargana. The Santhal Revolt, which took place in 1855-1856, was a significant tribal uprising against the oppressive British colonial rule in India. It was led by the Santhal tribe, who were predominantly agriculturalists and lived in the region of present-day Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal.

1. Background of the Santhal Revolt
- The Santhal tribe had been subjected to various forms of exploitation and oppression by the British colonial administration.
- They were forced to pay exorbitant rents and taxes, which often left them in a state of extreme poverty.
- The British also introduced oppressive land settlement policies that resulted in the displacement of many Santhals from their ancestral lands.

2. Causes of the Santhal Revolt
- The Santhals were deeply discontented with the British administration's policies and practices.
- They were particularly angered by the encroachment of their lands by outsiders, the imposition of unjust taxes, and the denial of their traditional rights.
- The introduction of the Zamindari system and the exploitation by moneylenders further aggravated their grievances.

3. Course of the Santhal Revolt
- The Santhal Revolt was initially led by two brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, who mobilized the Santhal community against the British.
- The revolt quickly spread across Santhal territories, with thousands of Santhals participating in the rebellion.
- The Santhals launched guerrilla attacks on British officials, police stations, and other symbols of colonial authority.
- They also formed their own government and established their own laws and administration.

4. Suppression of the Revolt
- The British colonial administration responded to the revolt with a heavy-handed military campaign.
- They deployed large forces to crush the rebellion and employed brutal tactics to suppress the Santhals.
- The British forces eventually succeeded in quelling the revolt and capturing the rebel leaders.

5. Aftermath of the Revolt
- In the aftermath of the Santhal Revolt, the British colonial administration recognized the need to address some of the grievances of the Santhal community.
- As a result, the Santhals were granted a separate administrative unit called the Santhal Pargana.
- The Santhal Pargana became a semi-autonomous region within the British administrative system, with its own local government and laws.
- This recognition of their separate identity and the granting of some degree of autonomy was a significant development for the Santhals.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'C' - Santhals were granted a Santhal Pargana. The aftermath of the Santhal Revolt led to the recognition of the Santhals as a distinct community and the establishment of a separate administrative unit for them. This recognition of their rights and autonomy was a significant outcome of the revolt.