Hul Diwas: Remembering the Santal rebellion against the British

Source: The post is based on the article “Hul Diwas: Remembering the Santal rebellion against the British” published in Indian Exprss on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has commemorated Hul Diwas, honoring the sacrifice of Santhals in their fight against British colonial authorities.

What is Hul Diwas or Santhal Rebellion?

The Santal rebellion or ‘Hul’ began in 1855.

It was an “organized war against colonialism” led by the Santals, standing against the various forms of oppression they were subjected to by the British and their collaborators. 

What was the reason for the Santhal Rebellion?

The Santal people – or Santalis – were not the original inhabitants of modern-day Santhal Pargana.

They had migrated from the Birbhum and Manbhum regions (present-day Bengal), due to the 1770 famine in Bengal.

With the enactment of the Permanent Settlement Act of 1790, the East India Company was desperate to bring an ever-increasing area in its control under settled agriculture. 

Thus, they chose the area of Damin-i-Koh, at the time heavily forested, to be settled by the Santhals, in order to collect a steady stream of revenue.

However, once settled, the Santals bore the brunt of colonial oppression. Predatory moneylenders and the police were a byproduct of this system.

Who were the leaders in the revolution?

The Murmu brothers – Sidho, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairab – were among those who led the revolt. 

But the women also played an important role. Phulo Murmu and Jhalo Murmu, sisters from the same family, participated in the Hul, inspiring women to join the rebellion.

The rebellion saw participation from 32 communities, both tribals, and non-tribals, challenging the notion that it was solely a Santhal rebellion.

The East India Company’s army was defeated twice during the rebellion, debunking the belief that they were invincible.

In 1855, martial law was introduced to curb the revolt, and the Hul was quashed by early 1856. 

What was the impact of the Santhal rebellion?

The Santhal rebellion did not end with its suppression in 1855. It continued to inspire future uprisings, such as the Santhal involvement in the 1857 mutiny.

The Hul rebellion also symbolized resistance against British colonialism and laid the foundation for subsequent movements in Jharkhand.