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Santhal Hul Rebellion 1855-1857

Santhal Hul Rebellion 1855-1857

Section titled “Santhal Hul Rebellion 1855-1857”

2020-04-27 15:11:00

  • ==Most massive of all Tribal revolts==.
  • Area affected was b/w Bhagalpur and Rajmahal known as Daman-i-Koh.
  • Revolted to expel the outsiders called the Dikus and to annihilate alien regime.
  • Tribals were the Majhis and Parganites they wanted to usher a ‘Satyug’.
  • Sidho and Kanho were the leaders who claimed that the Thakur or god had blessed and told them to fight.
  • Procession were carried out, participated by men and women alike. They formed bands of 1500-2000 soldiers.
  • attacked Mahajans and Zamindars, police stations, railway construction sites.
  • were helped by non-tribal people like lohars, Gwalas, etc.
  • Martial law was declared, suppression was ruthless.
  • Sidho was killed in 1855 and Kanho was captured in 1866.
  • Birbhum, Bankura, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Bhagalpur and Monghyr were affected areas.
  • Moneylenders used to take interest rates ranging from 50-500%, they took lands of the Santhal, forced labour and sexual exploitation of women were done.
  • Initially the movement was against mahajans and traders.
  • expansion of agricultural settlement to the tribal areas of Rajamahal hills caused conflict with the Paharia tribes.
  • were given an annual allowance and made responsible for proper conduct of their men.
  • lower hills were occupied by the Santhal settlers, Paharias receded deeper in Rajamahal hills.
  • Damin i Koh was declared as the land of the Santhal demarcated from the land of the plains people and the Paharia tribes.
  • State levying heavy taxes.
  • moneylender of Dikus charging high rates of interest.
  • zamindars opression.
  • Cuttack, Dhabhum, Manbhumm, Barabhum etc.
  • Area around Rajmahal hills called Damin I koh.
  • Tribal lands leased to outsiders, Dikkus.
  • Gave ample warning in advance.
  • Charactersied rebel actions as traditional hunting activity.

PYQs

Section titled “PYQs”

Santal Hul (1855)

1.”The Santhal hool began in July 1855. The core of the movement was economic, the basic cause of the uprising was agrarian discontent.” — Elucidate [2012, 10m]