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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 districtSanthal 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

  • Predominantly agrarian society.
  • Celebrates traditional nature and harvest-linked festivals:
  • Sohrai – cattle worship & harvest festival.
  • Baha – flower festival.
  • Karam – worship of Karam tree for prosperity.

Religion & Beliefs

  • Follow Sarna/Dharmic animistic traditions.
  • Worship nature spirits, ancestral spirits, and village deities (e.g., Marang Buru).

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