{"id":4319,"date":"2025-07-07T23:13:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/?p=4319"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:43:28","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T08:13:28","slug":"santhal-rebellion-1855","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/santhal-rebellion-1855\/","title":{"rendered":"Santhal Rebellion 1855: Leader, Year, Cause, Outcome, Significance, Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santhal Revolt<\/b> (<\/span>1855\u20131856), also known as Santhal Hool, was a revolt by the Santhal tribal people against the British East India Company\u2019s oppressive zamindari system in the Bengal Presidency. <\/b>The rebellion took place on 30 June 1855 and was led by four Murmu Brothers <\/span>\u2013 Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav. <\/b>It took place in the Santhal Parganas, a region now part of present-day <\/span>Jharkhand<\/b>. It was a result of exploitation and subjugation endured by the Santhals under <\/span>British authorities and moneylenders (Mahajan), landholders (zamindars), and dishonest officials.<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read <\/b>Revolt of 1857<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Who Were Santhals?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Santhals were one of the largest tribal communities in India, predominantly residing in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha<\/b>. known for their rich cultural heritage, distinct language (Santhali), and deep connection to the land they inhabited. Traditionally, the Santhals had been agriculturists, depending on the land for their livelihood. The Santhal community had a strong social structure, with their society being organised into various clans known as \u2018parhas.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read –<\/b>Santhal community<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What Was Santhal Rebellion?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Santhal Rebellion 1855-1856 was an \u201corganised war against colonialism\u201d<\/b> led by the Santhals,<\/b> standing against the highest forms of oppression \u2013 culturally, economically and otherwise \u2013 they were subjected to by the British and their collaborator, zamindars and corrupt moneylenders(Mahajan). <\/span>Santhal Rebellion was Led by two brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu. <\/b>It saw the participation of as many as 32 castes and communities rallying behind them. The seeds of the Santhal rebellion, however, were sown in 1832 when the East India Company created the <\/span>Damin-i-Koh region (skirt of hill – Where they were enjoying revenue-free collective land holding)<\/b> in the<\/span> forested belt of the Rajmahal hill<\/b>s. The area was allocated to the Santhals displaced from Birbhum, Murshidabad, Bhagalpur, Barabhum, Manbhum, Palamau, and Chhotanagpur, all areas of the Bengal Presidency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read <\/b>Revolts Before 1857<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Santhal Rebellion Causes\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Santhal Rebellion was driven by a confluence of economic, social, and cultural grievances, as given below:<\/span><\/p>\n