Complete History Notes on Santhal rebellion available for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025
History of Bihar-15
Here is a detailed account of the Santhal Rebellion (1855–56) in the context of Modern Bihar, specifically tailored for BPSC preparation under the topic of tribal uprisings during British rule:
Santhal Rebellion (1855–56)
Also known as: Santhal Hul (हुल in Santhali language means “revolution”)
Historical Context:
Region:
- Took place in the Rajmahal Hills, covering areas of present-day Santhal Parganas (in Jharkhand), which were part of Bengal Presidency and Modern Bihar under British rule.
Community:
- The Santhals are an indigenous tribal community, traditionally engaged in farming, forest gathering, and shifting cultivation.
- They were encouraged by the British to settle in the forested regions of eastern Bihar to reclaim land for agriculture.
Causes of the Santhal Rebellion
| Cause | Explanation |
| Zamindari and Mahajani Exploitation | Under Permanent Settlement, Zamindars and moneylenders (mahajans) exploited Santhals through high rents, debt bondage, and land alienation. |
| British Administrative Injustice | The Santhals had no access to justice in British courts and were oppressed by police and revenue officials. |
| Usurious Moneylending | Mahajans gave small loans at extremely high interest, taking away tribal lands and enslaving them in debt. |
| Loss of Traditional Land Rights | Settled agriculture led to loss of forest-based livelihood; tribal lands were usurped by non-tribals. |
| Militarized Repression | British allowed use of force by zamindars and police to collect rent, creating resentment. |
Immediate Trigger
- In June 1855, under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, thousands of Santhals gathered at Bhognadih village and declared a rebellion against the British and their agents (zamindars, moneylenders, and police).
- They proclaimed a parallel rule and boycotted British authority.
Course of the Rebellion
- Sidhu, Kanhu, along with their brothers Chand and Bhairav, mobilized about 60,000 Santhals.
- They attacked British outposts, police stations, moneylenders’ houses, and government buildings.
- The rebellion spread across Bhagalpur, Dumka, Deoghar, Sahibganj, and adjoining areas.
Suppression
- The British declared martial law in the affected region in November 1855.
- Used military forces with modern weapons to crush the rebellion.
- Thousands of Santhals were killed; the rebellion was completely suppressed by early 1856.
- Sidhu was captured and executed; Kanhu was later caught.
Significance of the Rebellion
| Aspect | Details |
| First Major Tribal Revolt | Marked one of the earliest and most organized tribal uprisings against British rule. |
| Challenge to Colonial Authority | Rebellion aimed at overthrowing colonial and feudal oppression, not just isolated violence. |
| Impact on Administration | Led to the formation of the Santhal Pargana district (1855) to administer tribal areas separately. |
| Tribal Identity and Heroism | The Murmu brothers became icons of tribal resistance and pride in Bihar and Jharkhand. |
BPSC-Focused Summary
| Element | Details |
| Year | 1855–56 |
| Region | Rajmahal Hills, part of Modern Bihar (now Jharkhand) |
| Leaders | Sidhu Murmu, Kanhu Murmu, Chand Murmu, Bhairav Murmu |
| Causes | Exploitation by zamindars, mahajans, loss of land, British apathy |
| Outcome | Brutally suppressed, led to creation of Santhal Pargana |
| Significance | First major tribal revolt; precursor to future tribal and peasant movements |
Important Quotes (For Enrichment)
- “Santhal Hul was not just a rebellion, it was a declaration of justice and identity.”
- British report: “The Santhals rose like a tide and flooded the Rajmahal Hills with fire and fury.”
Legacy
- Celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand as “Hul Diwas” on 30th June every year.
- Statues of Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu stand in Dumka and other tribal districts.
Inspired future tribal uprisings like the Munda Ulgulan and Birsa Munda movement
What Made the Santhal Rebellion Unique?
The Santhal Rebellion of 1855–56 stood apart from other contemporary uprisings due to its grassroots nature, mass participation, and deep cultural motivations. While many other revolts during colonial rule were led by dispossessed elites or disgruntled princely states, the Santhal uprising was an indigenous, tribal-led movement, making it one of the earliest people’s revolts against British authority.
1. Grassroots Leadership and Tribal Initiative
Unlike other revolts directed by landlords or rulers, the Santhal Rebellion was entirely led by members of the tribal community itself, particularly by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu. Their leadership emerged from within the community, reflecting genuine mass discontent and indigenous resistance.
2. Widespread Participation and Unity
The rebellion witnessed unprecedented participation from all segments of the Santhal population—men, women, and even children. This collective mobilization forged a remarkable sense of unity and purpose, rarely seen in other rebellions of the time.
3. Use of Traditional Weapons and Guerrilla Tactics
Although the Santhals lacked modern arms, they employed their traditional bows, arrows, and spears with guerrilla warfare tactics. Their deep knowledge of the terrain in Bihar gave them a tactical edge and prolonged their resistance against the better-equipped British forces.
4. Cultural and Spiritual Dimensions
For the Santhals, the rebellion was not merely a fight against economic exploitation or political domination. It was a defensive war to protect their land, identity, culture, and religion. Spiritual leaders played an active role, invoking divine support and framing the struggle in sacred terms.
5. Lasting Impact and Legislative Outcome
Though ultimately suppressed by the British, the rebellion had a significant impact. It led to the creation of the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act (1876), which offered some legal protections to tribal land rights. Moreover, the movement instilled a sense of early nationalism and self-respect among tribal communities, influencing future resistance movements.
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