Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Background of the Santhal Rebellion

• The Santhal Rebellion, also known as the Santal Hul, occurred in 1855-56 in present-day Jharkhand, India. The Santhals, a tribal community, lived in various districts such as Curtack, Dhalbhum, Manbhum, Barabhum, Chota Nagpur, Palamau, Hazaribagh, Midnapur, Bankura, Birbhum.
• The rebellion was a response against British colonial authority and the zamindari system, making it one of the most significant tribal movements of the time.
• It was led by the four Murmu brothers: Sidhu, Kahnu, Chand, Bhairav, is considered a heroic episode in India's struggle for independence.
• The rebellion began on June 30, 1855, martial law was imposed on November 10, 1855, lasting until January 3, 1856, when the movement was violently suppressed by British troops.

Causes of the Rebellion

• The Santhal Rebellion was triggered by the oppressive practices of money lenders and the zamindari system in the Bengal Presidency. The Santhals, who were skilled cultivators and had good agricultural land, were gradually driven from their homeland due to the claims of colonial agents on their lands.
• As a result, they retreated to the hills of Rajmahal and cleared the area around the Rajmahal Hills, naming it Damin-i-koh. However, this new land was also claimed by British operatives, local landlords, zamindars, leading the Santhals to feel cheated and betrayed.
• The situation worsened as tribal lands were leased out to non-Santhal zamindars and money lenders, the local police and European officers engaged in railroad construction oppressed the Santhals.
• The Santhals became bonded laborers under the zamindars and money lenders, who initially appeared as traders but exploited them through exorbitant interest rates and corrupt practices. The outsiders, referred to as dikus by the Santhals, destroyed their familiar world, leading to a loss of freedom and respect, ultimately turning them into rebels.

The Santal Rebellion:

• In July 1855, a large group of Santhals, led by Sidhu and Kanhu, began a rebellion against zamindars, mahajans, the British government after their demands were ignored.
• The rebels attacked the homes of moneylenders, zamindars, white planters, railway engineers, British officials, killing many.
• The rebellion spread quickly, causing the British East India Company to lose control in the area between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal. The rebels cut off postal and railway communications and declared the end of Company rule.
• The Santhals initially had success with guerrilla tactics using bows and arrows, but the British adapted their strategy. Instead of fighting in the forest, the British lured the Santhals out into open battle.
• In a decisive battle, the British, armed with modern firearms, positioned themselves at the base of a hill occupied by the Santhals. The British officer ordered a blank fire to deceive the Santhals, who charged down the hill, only to be met with real gunfire.
• Brutal counter-insurgency measures followed, with the army burning Santhal villages and committing atrocities. It is estimated that out of 30,000 to 50,000 rebels, 15,000 to 20,000 were killed before the rebellion was suppressed.
• The British used elephants to destroy Santhal huts and carried out widespread violence to crush the rebellion. The leaders, Sidhu and Kanhu, were killed.
• In response, the British passed the Santal Parganas Tenancy Act of 1856 to protect the Santhals from colonial exploitation. The Santhal areas were made a separate administrative unit, with measures to check land alienation and local administration vested in locals.
• The rebellion was primarily driven by economic grievances and agrarian discontent, the British attempted to address these issues through the Santal Parganas Tenancy Act.

Significance of Santal Hul

• Santal Hul was harshly suppressed but led to significant changes in colonial rule and policy.
• The day of the rebellion is still commemorated among the Santal community in honor of the countless martyrs who sacrificed their lives.
• The rebellion involved two revered leaders in their valiant but unsuccessful struggle against the zamindars and British authorities.
• Although overshadowed by the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Santal Rebellion remains a pivotal moment in the history of Santal pride and identity.
• Santal Hul is remembered as one of the fiercest battles in the history of Indian freedom struggles.
• The rebellion resulted in a staggering loss of life, with casualties estimated at 20,000.

Other Characteristics:

• Political Action vs. Crime: The tribal rebellions were political actions, distinct from crime, as they were open and public in nature.
• Warning and Planning: The Santhals provided ample warning in advance, the Rangpur leaders imposed a levy for insurrection on the peasantry. Public conferences, assemblies, planning were evident, indicating a clear program for rebellion.
• Geographical and Ethnic Boundaries: The spread of the rebellion was influenced by the rebels’ perception of space and ethnic boundaries. For instance, the Santhals fought for their ‘fatherland’, while in the Kol insurrection, the Kols from different regions revolted simultaneously.
• Perception of Time and History: The rebels’ perception of time played a crucial role, often invoking a “Golden Age” in the past. The desire to restore this imagined golden past motivated peasant actions, as seen in the Faraizi and Santhal rebellions.