Santali History - Santal Revolt 1855-56 AD

 

The Santals, the ancient inhabitants of India, lived in vast forested areas in present-day Chotonagpur, Palamau, Manbhum in Bihar and Birbhum, Bankura and Midnipur districts in Bengal. They rebelled against the British government, landlords and moneylenders in 1855-56 AD, known as the Hul Rebellion or the 'Santal Rebellion'.

 

Spread of the Santal Revolt: Angry Santals started a revolt against the British East India company. Also to the native zamindars and moneylenders in April 1855 AD. The rebellion was leaded by Sidhu, Kanu, Chand, Bhairav, Bir Singh, Kalo Dhamanik, Domon Majhi etc. On June 30 1855, 50,000 Santals gathered in the Bhaganadihi field and announced the establishment of an independent Santal state and freedom from exploitation. The rebels attacked railway stations, police stations, post offices etc, and killed many zamindars and moneylenders of this era.

 

Causes of Santal Rebellion

The Santal tribe of Chhotonagpur started a strong revolt against the tyrannical British government and their allies zamindars and moneylenders around 1855-56 AD. There were several reasons for this revolt. Such as -

1) Levy of revenue : The indigenous Santals reclaim the fallow land from the forest areas

Cultivation makes the land fertile. Government-appointed zamindars during British rule

The Santal farmers were forced to leave the land due to the high rate of revenue imposed on that land.

 

2) Other Taxes : Apart from land revenue, the government imposes various types of taxes on Santals. As a result, the misery of the poor Santals increased.

 

3) Exploitation of moneylenders: Santals were forced to pay land revenue and other taxes in cash and were prevented from taking loans from moneylenders at exorbitant interest rates. Later his land, crops, oxen were taken away for debt.

 

4) Cheating of Traders : Foreign traders cheated while buying agricultural produce from Santals using Batkhara called Kenaram and selling their produce to Santals using Batkhara called Becharam.

 

5) Construction of Railways: Santal labourers were hired for the construction of railways in Santal dominated areas and paid very low wages. Apart from this, the railway contractors and the British employees used to torture the Santal families in various ways.

 

6) Abolition of Santal Laws : The government abolished the Santals' own laws and judicial system and introduced the complex laws and judicial system of the English in the Santal area.

 

7) Propagation of Christianity : Christian missionaries despised the religion of the Santals and successfully converted the Santals to Christianity.

 

 

 

Characteristics Of The Santal Rebellion

Introduction: The Santal Revolt of 4855-56 AD was an uncompromising struggle by the poor Santals. The nature or characteristics of this rebellion is disputed. For example –

 

• Tribal Rebellion :  The Santal Rebellion was a rebellion by the tribal or tribal Santals of the Chotonagpur region of Bihar. The indigenous Santals were the life force of this revolt.

 • Peasant Revolt : The Santal revolt was essentially a peasant revolt. Poor and exploited tribal Santal peasants participated in this revolt against landlords, moneylenders and British power.

• Anti-British Rebellion : Santal Santal revolt was not only a revolt against zamindars or moneylenders, this revolt was clearly anti-British revolt. Halliday the Lieutenant Governor of Benrul said that the purpose of this rebellion was to end the British rule.

 • Public Revolt : Although this revolt started with the initiative of Santal farmers, local blacksmiths, potters, oil workers, Muslim weavers, Chamars, Doms etc. So Narahari Kaviraj called this the liberation war of poor people of all communities

 

• Secular Rebellion :  Some see the influence of religion in the Santal Rebellion, but the rebellion was not really religious. The rebellious Santals did not attach any importance to God. Rather, they cry out — “God is great but He lives far, far away. There is no one to save us.”

 

Consequences and Significance of Santal Rebellion

Santal revolt of  1855-56 AD was one the most of significant from the various tribal revolts during British rule in India. Although this rebellion ultimately failed. But the results and importance of this rebellion cannot be denied at all.

 

·        Prevalence: Although the indigenous Santals started this rebellion but the fire of this revolt also ragged in low caste Blacksmiths, potters, weavers etc. Also spread among Hindus.

 

·        Reduction in interest rates: The revolt of the Santals made the government aware of the exploitation of moneylenders against them. The government fixed interest rates on loans to external moneylenders in Santal-dominated areas.

 

·        Creation of Santal Parganas: The government declared the Santals as a separate ‘tribe’ and created the Santal Parganas district for them in Chhotonagpur region.

 

·         Santals’ Own Law : The government declared that British law would not apply in the Santal Parganas. The Santal Pargana can resolve their problems by their own traditional laws and judicial system.

 

 

·        Ban on entry of outsiders: In order to reduce the exploitation and abuse of Santals, the government ban the entry of outsiders into Santal-dominated areas., including Bengali moneylenders, zamindars, sudhkhors etc.

 

·        Spread of Christianity: The entry of foreign moneylenders was also banned, Christian missionaries were not allowed to enter Santal-dominated areas and spread Christianity among the Santals.

 

·        Precursor to the Great Revolt: According to historian Suprakash Roy, this revolt was “the forerunner of India’s landmark.” Dr. Ramesh Chandra Majumdar feels that if the Great Revolt of 1857 AD is called a freedom struggle, then Santal rebellion worth the status of a freedom struggle.