Santhal Uprising and Hul Diwas)

Context

On June 30, observed as Hul Diwas, the Prime Minister of India paid a heartfelt tribute to the Santhal martyrs who launched one of the earliest and most organized tribal uprisings against British colonial rule in 1855.

Santhal Uprising (Santhal Hul) – 1855

Background & Context

Date: Began on 30 June 1855 (commemorated as Hul Diwas).
Location: Damin-i-Koh region, Rajmahal Hills (now in Jharkhand).
Nature: India’s first organized tribal rebellion against British colonial rule, predating the 1857 Revolt.
Reason:
- Oppressive revenue system under the Permanent Settlement.
- Exploitation by moneylenders, landlords (zamindars) and British agents.
- Bonded labour systems like kamioti and harwahi.
- Loss of land due to encroachments by non-tribals.

Key Leaders

Sidhu Murmu & Kanhu Murmu – principal leaders.
Chand & Bhairav, Phulo & Jhano – other notable revolutionary figures.
Leadership marked by tribal unity of 32 different castes/communities.

Course of Revolt

Santhals declared independence from British rule and set up a parallel administration.
Armed with bows, arrows, axes, and local weapons.
Brutally suppressed by British using military reinforcements and scorched-earth tactics.
Thousands of Santhals were killed, including Sidhu and Kanhu.

Consequences

Led to creation of a separate administrative district – Santhal Parganas.
Resulted in the enactment of protective land laws:
- Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876 (SPT Act):
  - Prevents transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
- Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 (CNT Act):
  - Restricts alienation of land belonging to Adivasis and Dalits.
  - Land can be transferred only within the same community and with Collector’s approval.

Santhal Tribe – Key Facts

Origin & Migration

Originally from Birbhum & Manbhum regions (now in West Bengal).
Migrated to present-day Jharkhand (Damin-i-Koh) due to:
1770 Bengal famine.
British invitation for clearing forests and cultivation under Permanent Settlement (1790s).

Demographics

India’s 3rd-largest Scheduled Tribe (after Gonds & Bhils).
Major population in: Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam.

Language & Script

Language: Santhali – included in 8th Schedule of the Constitution (since 2003).
Script: Ol Chiki, developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925.

Culture and Festivals