SANTHAL REBELLION

1. Context

The landmark event in tribal history, referred to as Santhal Hul, completes 170 years today. Every year, the state of Jharkhand also celebrates June 30 as ‘Hul Diwas’, marking the beginning of the rebellion. On this occasion, let’s revisit this landmark event in Indian history and understand it from a broader perspective.

2. Santhal rebellion

The Santhal uprising, known as ‘Hul’ (meaning revolution), began in 1855—two years prior to the 1857 revolt, which is often described as India’s first major struggle for independence.
It represented a coordinated resistance against British colonial rule, where the Santhal community rose in defiance of widespread exploitation—both economic and social—inflicted by British authorities, allied landlords (zamindars), and corrupt moneylenders.
This resistance movement, spearheaded by brothers Sidhu and Kanhu, gained support from as many as 32 different castes and communities.
The roots of this revolt trace back to 1832, when the British East India Company established the Damin-i-Koh area within the Rajmahal Hills’ forested terrain. The region was designated for Santhals who had been relocated from parts of the Bengal Presidency, including Birbhum, Murshidabad, Bhagalpur, Barabhum, Manbhum, Palamau, and Chhotanagpur.
Although the Santhals were promised land and farming opportunities in Damin-i-Koh, they were soon subjected to exploitative practices, including land dispossession and forced labour systems such as kamioti and harwahi. Over time, these abuses intensified under colonial supervision.
The rebellion, which erupted in 1855, persisted with violent confrontations until 1856, when the British eventually suppressed it. Using advanced weaponry and war elephants, they crushed the uprising, during which both Sidhu and Kanhu lost their lives

3. About Santhals

The Santhals were not indigenous to what is now known as the Santhal Pargana region, which comprises six districts—Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, Deoghar, and parts of Jamtara. Their migration began in the late 1700s from the Birbhum and Manbhum areas, located in present-day West Bengal.
The devastating Bengal famine of 1770 prompted the Santhals to relocate. Around this time, the British sought their assistance. Following the introduction of the Permanent Settlement Act in 1790, the East India Company aimed to extend its agricultural control and revenue base.
The Damin-i-Koh region, then densely forested, was designated for Santhal settlement to ensure a consistent tax income. However, after resettlement, the Santhals found themselves subjected to severe colonial exploitation.
In present times, the Santhals constitute the third-largest tribal group in India, primarily residing in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

4. Other Tribal rebellions

Munda Rebellion:

In 1899, Birsa Munda initiated the Ulgulan or Munda rebellion, employing guerrilla tactics and traditional weapons to resist British rule. He urged tribal communities to embrace the concept of Birsa Raj, advocating for the rejection of colonial laws and the refusal to pay rents.
This uprising was one of the most strategically coordinated tribal movements, aiming to dismantle British governance, eliminate external influences, and establish a self-governed Munda territory. However, the British, with superior military power, quickly suppressed the revolt. Birsa Munda was captured on March 3, 1900, while resting with his followers in the Jamkopai forest near Chakradharpur.
The rebellion had a lasting impact, contributing to the abolition of the begar (forced labour) system and influencing the creation of the Tenancy Act in 1903, which acknowledged the khuntkatti landholding rights. Later, the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908 restricted the transfer of tribal land to outsiders.

Paika Rebellion:

The Paika Rebellion of 1817, centered in Khurda (Odisha), is often regarded as a significant early resistance against British rule—sometimes even called the "first war of Indian independence."
The Paikas, traditional soldiers under Odisha's kings, revolted after being stripped of their rent-free land grants. The deposition and exile of the Khurda king in 1803 and the imposition of new revenue policies deeply affected the Paikas, who lost both property and societal privileges.
The rebellion escalated when around 400 Kondhs from Ghumusar rose against the British, prompting Bakshi Jagabandhu, the highest-ranking general of the exiled Khurda ruler, to lead the Paikas into battle. Although they engaged in intense combat across various locations, British forces gradually quelled the rebellion

Kol Revolt:

In 1831, the Kols of Chhota Nagpur rebelled due to increasing encroachment on their lands by non-tribal settlers, a process enabled by new colonial land policies. Economic exploitation and dispossession led to widespread anger among the indigenous people.
Leaders like Buddhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, and Madara Mahato spearheaded the revolt, which saw the participation of other tribes such as the Hos, Mundas, and Oraons.
Armed mainly with traditional weapons, tribal fighters launched fierce attacks against British forces and local moneylenders. The uprising spanned regions like Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamau, and Manbhum, and lasted nearly two years before being crushed by the colonial administration

Bhil Uprising:

The Bhils of the Khandesh region in Maharashtra rose against British intrusion in 1818, fearing exploitation under foreign rule. Sewaram led this resistance, but the movement was violently suppressed. A renewed revolt occurred in 1825, as the Bhils sought to exploit British military weaknesses during the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Dhal Revolt:

The Dhal Revolt, considered the earliest tribal uprising in Jharkhand, broke out in 1767 under the leadership of Jagannath Dhal, the former ruler of Dhalbhum (now in West Bengal).
The rebellion was sparked by resentment against the East India Company's growing influence, which displaced local power structures. The conflict endured for a decade, ending when the British reinstated Jagannath Dhal as the regional king in 1777 to pacify the unrest

Tana Bhagat Movement:

Launched in 1914 by Jatra Bhagat, a prominent leader of the Oraon tribe, the Tana Bhagat movement aimed to restore indigenous values while rejecting British authority and Western cultural impositions. Focused on agrarian concerns, the movement called for refusal to pay taxes and urged laborers to resist forced or unfair work conditions

5. Birsa Munda and Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Birsa Munda holds a revered place in India’s freedom struggle as one of the most iconic tribal leaders who rose against British colonial rule and social injustice. Born on 15th November 1875 in the village of Ulihatu in present-day Jharkhand, Birsa belonged to the Munda tribe, an indigenous community of the Chotanagpur Plateau.
He emerged as a powerful symbol of tribal resistance and social reform at a very young age and came to be known with deep respect as “Dharti Aba”, meaning “Father of the Earth”, for his deep connection with the land and the lives of his people.
During the late 19th century, the British administration introduced exploitative land revenue systems and enabled the encroachment of tribal lands by non-tribal landlords and moneylenders.
Alongside economic oppression, Christian missionaries sought to convert tribal populations, often undermining traditional tribal customs and beliefs. In this context of rising disenfranchisement, Birsa Munda led a major tribal uprising known as the “Ulgulan”, or the Great Tumult, which took place between 1899 and 1900.
This movement, often referred to as the Munda Rebellion, was aimed at expelling the British from the region, ending the zamindari system, and restoring tribal land rights and autonomy.
The Ulgulan was not merely a political revolt; it was also a social and spiritual movement. Birsa called upon his people to reject colonial laws, stop paying taxes, and embrace a purer way of life based on indigenous customs and his own vision of a just and egalitarian society, which he termed the “Birsa Raj”.
He also preached against superstitions and promoted a moral code among his followers. His ideas quickly gained popularity, and thousands rallied behind him, making the movement one of the most organized tribal uprisings during colonial rule.
However, the rebellion was short-lived. In March 1900, Birsa Munda was captured while asleep in the Jamkopai forest. He died under mysterious circumstances in Ranchi Jail on 9th June 1900, at the age of just 25.
Despite his early death, his legacy endured, and he became a lasting symbol of tribal pride, resistance, and identity.
In recognition of his immense contribution to India’s freedom struggle and the assertion of tribal rights, the Government of India declared 15th November, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, as “Janjatiya Gaurav Divas”.
The day is observed across the country to celebrate and honour the valour, sacrifices, and contributions of tribal freedom fighters, not just Birsa Munda, but many others who stood up against colonial and feudal exploitation.
It serves as a reminder of the unique and crucial role that tribal communities have played in shaping India’s history and preserving its cultural diversity

For Prelims: Paika rebellion, Santhal rebellion, important tribal uprisings

For Mains: GS I - Modern Indian History

Previous Year Questions

1.The Paika Rebellion was led by: (SSC JE CE 2019)

A.Bakshi Jagabandhu

B.Titu Mir

C.Kanhu

D.Sidhu

Answer (A)

Source: Indianexpress

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SANTHAL REBELLION

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