The Santhal Hul of 1855, a pivotal moment in Indian history, stands as one of the earliest peasant uprisings against British rule. Led by the Murmu brothers and their sisters, the Santhals fought a valiant struggle against exploitation and injustice. Their uprising, though ultimately crushed, had a lasting impact, leading to significant legislative changes aimed at protecting tribal land rights.
The Revolt Begins
On June 30, 1855, the Santhal Hul began. Sidho, Kanho, Chand, and Bhairav Murmu, along with their sisters Phulo and Jhano, led this revolt. It was one of the first peasant uprisings against British rule.
Opposing the Oppressors
The Santhals fought against the upper castes, zamindars, darogas, and moneylenders. They called these oppressors ‘diku’. Their goal was to protect their economic, cultural, and religious life.
Roots of the Uprising
In 1832, areas like Sahibganj, Godda, and Dumka in present-day Jharkhand were marked as ‘Santhal Pargana’. Displaced Santhals from places like Birbhum and Murshidabad were promised land and farming opportunities here. However, they faced land-grabbing and bonded labor.
Leading the Resistance
The Murmu brothers, believing they were guided by their god Thakur Bonga, led about 60,000 Santhals against the East India Company. They used guerrilla tactics in a struggle that lasted nearly six months, ending on January 3, 1856.
Over 15,000 Santhals were killed, and 10,000 villages were destroyed. Sidho was hanged on August 9, 1855, and Kanho in February 1856. Though the uprising ended, its impact was significant.
Legal Changes: SPT and CNT Acts
The Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act of 1876 (SPT Act) came from the Hul. It prevents Adivasi lands from being transferred to non-Adivasis, ensuring the land can only be inherited by Santhals. This act helped them govern their land.
The Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT Act) of 1908, influenced by the Birsa Movement, allows land transfers within the same caste and certain areas with District Collector approval. It restricts the sale of Adivasi and Dalit land but permits transfers among Adivasis from the same police station and Dalits in the same district.
Source: What is the Santhal Hul and the land tenancy Acts of tribal lands (The Indian Express, June 30, 2024)