The Santhal Rebellion (also called the Santhal Hul) was a tribal uprising by the Santhal people of the Rajmahal hills and neighbouring districts against the East India Company, zamindars, and exploitative moneylenders
Major Leaders
- Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu
Causes
- Exploitation by zamindars and moneylenders (dikus).
- Heavy taxes and land alienation under colonial revenue/land systems.
- Displacement of the traditional tribal economy and social distress.
Course and Tactics
- Began in June 1855, with ~60,000 Santhals rising against the East India Company.
- Adopted guerrilla warfare tactics.
- Rebellion spread across Jharkhand, Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
- Sidhu Murmu was executed in 1855; Kanhu Murmu in 1856; heavy suppression followed.
Outcome
- Creation of Santhal Parganas
Source: The Indian Express