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B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
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ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

Santhal rebellion(Aka Santhal Hool) -

Intro

1. There were numerous tribal uprisings, but the first and largest one in the Colonial
regime was the Santhal rebellion of 1855
2. This uprising, known as the Santhal Hul or the Santhal Rebellion, was a
desperate attempt to resist the exploitation and injustice that had been inflicted
upon them by the colonial regime

Key Points[Facts]
 June 30, 1855 – Place Present day Jharkhand, West Bengal
 It was against both British colonial authority and Zamindari System by Santhal
ppl
 1st peasant revolt that occurred in India
 led by four Murmu Brothers – Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav.
 Determined attempt to expel outsiders collectively called Dikus[Zamindars,
Mahajans, Sahukars and Britishers

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Background
 Santhals start settling in foothills of Rajmahal[1780s] - were given land and persuaded
by local Zamindars, Moneylenders (Mahajans and Sahukars) & British
administration - to push Pahariyas (local tribal group) out from there Santhals
successfully pushed Pahariyas into deep forest Rajmahal Hills and captured their lands.
 Santhals slowly & steadily grown in population as well as land area and get settled in
region [was declared as Damin-i-Koh] as peasants.
 From 40 Village [1838] to 1473 in 1851.
 Initially they were supportive to 'Dikus' - But soon situation started changing - found
land they have cleared and brought under the cultivation was slipping away from their
hands - found themselves trapped in a conspiracy by Dikus
 State levy heavy tax on land
 Moneylenders high rates and taking over their land on failure of repayment
 Zamindars were asserting control over the Damin-i-Koh area.

Causes
Economic Causes
 Debt and Land Alienation:
o local Sahukars (moneylenders) and Mahajans (traders) give loan at exorbitant
interest rates.
o Failure to repay loans led to the capture of their lands.
o British officials and police supported Sahukars and Zamindars, exacerbating
Santhals' land loss in the Damin-i-Koh region.
o Intro of Permanent Settlement, which disrupted the Santhals' traditional land
ownership
 landlords had perpetual and hereditary rights over the land as long as they
paid a fixed revenue to the British government. If the peasants were not able
to pay their rent, the British auctioned away large tracts of land belonging
to the Santhals
 New Forest Policy:
o British-imposed policies restricted Santhals' access to forest resources, disrupting
their traditional livelihoods.
 Forced Labor:
o Santhals coerced into working Bhagalpur-Vardhwan railway line without pay,
intensifying their grievances.
 Barter System:
o Santhals relied on barter but struggled to pay taxes in cash, forcing them to borrow
from moneylenders and trapping them in debt.

Add- New Chanakya Nagar, M. N Roy Gali, Begusarai

 G.S. HUB CIVIL SERVICES CLASSES
B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
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ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

Religious Causes
 Missionary Activities:
o The Charter Act of 1813 allowed Christian missionaries to propagate Christianity
in India.
o Missionaries targeted tribes, challenging the Santhals' traditional beliefs and
practices.
Socio-Political Causes
 Disruption of Traditional governence and Justice Systems:
o The Manjhi System (village headman system) and Parha Panchayat System
(community-level governance) were undermined by British laws and regulations.
o These systems were integral to Santhals' social fabric and self-governance.

Immediate Cause
 Incident of Police Brutality:
o In June 1855, local police arrested and brutally beat several Santhals over a minor
theft incident.
o In retaliation, a mob of Santhals killed the police station inspector.
o This violent clash acted as the trigger for the Santhal rebellion.

The Rebellion
On 30th June, 1855, Under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanhu, took up traditional
armours such as Arrow & Bows and bowed to established Swaraj.
 S & K promised new revenue policy and natural justice[traditional system].
 To stir religious sentiments among the revolutionaries, he said that the God of Santhals
(Singh Bonga) came into their dreams and ordered to fight against Dikus and establish
Swaraj over Damin-i-Koh region.
 During the uprising, Santhals were attacked on police and the British Authorities.
 Besides these they also looted and murdered Mahajans and Sahukars.
 Santhals engaged in guerrilla warfare against Britishers and formed their own
troops which included the farmers, villagers, and the women.
 The villagers put to fire storehouses and Warehouses - all forms of communication lines
were disrupted.
 British adm immediately ordered for Marshal Law in Damini-Koh region.
o Major Baro was sent with 10 battalions of Army -remained unsuccessful in the
their attempt
o British adm sent a big unit of Army under leadership of Captain Alexander -
become successfull
 Remained unsuccessful in the their attempt
 Unfortunately, the duo brother Sidhu and Kanhu were arrested and the revolt had a brutal
end.

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Consequence
 Administrative
o New Santhal Pargana carve out as Non-regulation district. - The region between
Bhagalpur and Rajmahal Hills in Singhbhum
 Legal
o Tenancy Law was enacted in Santhal Pargana, which provided for village head and
village officers, who were entrusted with judicial and policing powers.
 Social
o The traditional Manjhi system was again became operational in the region.

Importance
Early Anti-Colonial Resistance:
 It was one of the first large-scale tribal revolts against British colonial rule
 First revolt which set it's aim for attaining Swaraj - later aim of National Movement as
well.
 Sidhu and Kanhu performed very well - touched every aspects - spread in very wide
 Partially successful and achieved some of it's goals.
 Despite fact that it could not able to achieve Swaraj - but somewhat successful as Santhal
Pargana was declared as Non-Regulation District and gave a certain amount of autonomy
at village level.
 Protest Against Exploitation:
 Highlighted the injustices faced by tribal communities
 Symbol of Unity:
 Showcased the collective strength and organization of tribal comm
 Legacy of Inspiration:
 Inspired future tribal uprisings (e.g., Munda Rebellion)
 Challenge to British Authority:
 Demonstrated the vulnerability of British control in rural areas,
 Cultural Significance:
 Preserved in Santhal folklore and traditions,

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B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
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ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

How it was different from other

 Organized Movement: Unified ~60,000 people under strong leadership, unlike other
spontaneous revolts.
 Effective Tactics: Used guerrilla warfare, a novel strategy in Bihar, against British
artillery.
 Strong Leadership: Led by Sidhu and Kanhu, who mobilized and inspired the masses.
 Impact on British: Forced the British to impose martial law, highlighting the revolt's
intensity.
 Fostered Nationalism: Sparked unity and nationalist feelings, influencing later
movements like the 1857 Revolt.
 Tribal Identity: Strengthened Santhal identity and cultural preservation efforts.
 Success
 Policy Change: Led to the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, protecting tribal lands
and rights.
 It was seen that the Britishers did acknowledge their follies, despite the Santhals
being defeated
 Further, after the end of the war, the Santhal Paraganas Tenancy Act was enacted
which provided the tribes some protection

Add- New Chanakya Nagar, M. N Roy Gali, Begusarai

 G.S. HUB CIVIL SERVICES CLASSES
B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
th th
ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

Mind Map

Add- New Chanakya Nagar, M. N Roy Gali, Begusarai

 G.S. HUB CIVIL SERVICES CLASSES
B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
th th
ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

PYQ
 The Santhal Rebellion was the first rapid reaction against the British colonial rule
in India. Explain (BPSC, 43rd)
 The Santhal rebellion represents a model of armed mass resistance against British
colonialism in India. Explain.
(BPSC, 45th)
 Discuss the main causes of the santhal uprising. What were its consequences?
(BPSC, 48th)
 Discuss the main causes of the Santhal rebellion, what were their effects.
(BPSC, 56th-59th)
 Evaluate the causes and consequences of the Santhal rebellion in Bihar. (BPSC,
63rd)
 What were the reasons for the Santhal rebellion, its speed and what were its results.
(BPSC, 66th)
 Write a short note- Santhal Uprising (BPSC, 67h)

Add- New Chanakya Nagar, M. N Roy Gali, Begusarai

 G.S. HUB CIVIL SERVICES CLASSES
B.P.S.C ( C.S.E) By RITESH ANAND
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 8287417384
th th
ANJALI JOSHI (4 Rank Holder 68 BPSC)

Add- New Chanakya Nagar, M. N Roy Gali, Begusarai