Latest news with #Santhals


Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal heroes honoured on Hul Diwas
1 2 Ranchi: Hul Diwas was solemnly observed across Ranchi on Monday to commemorate the valiant tribal uprising of 1855 led by Sido and Kanhu Murmu. While chief minister Hemant Soren paid floral tributes at Jharkhand Bhavan in New Delhi alongside his wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana, district and police officials in Ranchi honoured the tribal freedom fighters. "Sido-Kanhu were the torch-bearers of resistance against colonial injustice. Their courage gave a new direction to the freedom struggle, long before 1857," said Hemant in Delhi. "Hul was not just a revolt, it was a call for dignity, land, and identity. Today, we remember them not as martyrs of the past, but as symbols of ongoing justice for tribal communities," Soren added. In Ranchi, deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri, along with senior superintendent of police Chandan Sinha, paid floral tribute at the Sido-Kanhu statue erected at the Sido-Kanhu Park, Kanke Road. "Hul reminds us that justice and rights must be fought for with courage. Sido-Kanhu and other tribal leaders' sacrifice continues to inspire us to build an inclusive, equitable society," said Bhajantri. "Hul was a fight not only for land, but for dignity and rights. The courage Sido-Kanhu showed in mobilising 10,000 Santhals against the British is an inspiration even today. Understanding our roots helps build a more just future," said Sinha. Members of the adivasi community, many dressed in traditional attire, gathered at the park. "Hul Diwas is sacred to us. Our ancestors stood up against injustice that gives us strength even today," said Premshahi Munda, a tribal leader. Birhu Tudu, a resident from Kanke, said, "We hope the govt ensures our youth know this history. Hul was Jharkhand's history, and it should be preserved forever." As Jharkhand marked the day with solemn remembrance, the legacy of Sido and Kanhu continues to resonate in the voices of those still striving for equality and recognition.


Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: 170th anniversary of Santhal Revolt — Revisiting tribal resistance for UPSC Prelims and Mains
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on 170th anniversary of Santhal Revolt and other significant tribal revolts. (Relevance: In the 2018 UPSC prelims, a question was asked about the Santhal Uprising. In 2023, a question was asked on the response of the tribes against colonial oppression in General Studies I. Tribal movements and leaders form an important section of the UPSC syllabus. Therefore, knowing about the Santhal Revolt and other key tribal rebellions becomes significant for your UPSC prep.) The landmark event in tribal history, referred to as Santhal Hul, completes 170 years today. Every year, the state of Jharkhand also celebrates June 30 as 'Hul Diwas', marking the beginning of the rebellion. On this occasion, let's revisit this landmark event in Indian history and understand it from a broader perspective. 1. The Santhal rebellion or 'Hul' – literally, revolution – began in 1855, two years before the the uprising of 1857, often referred to as 'the first war for Indian independence'. 2. It was an 'organised war against colonialism' led by the Santhals, standing against the myriad forms of oppression – economic and otherwise – they were subjected to by the British and their collaborator zamindars and corrupt moneylenders. 3. Led by two brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu, it saw the participation of as many as 32 castes and communities rallying behind them. 4. The seeds of the Santhal rebellion, however, were sown in 1832 when the East India Company created the Damin-i-Koh region in the forested belt of the Rajmahal hills. The area was allocated to the Santhals displaced from Birbhum, Murshidabad, Bhagalpur, Barabhum, Manbhum, Palamau, and Chhotanagpur, all areas the Bengal Presidency. 5. While the Santhals were promised settlement and agriculture in Damin-i-Koh, what followed was the repressive practice of land-grabbing and begari (bonded labour) of two types: kamioti and harwahi. Over the years, Santhals found themselves at the receiving end of exploitative practices aided by the British. 6. After the rebellion broke out in 1855, both sides continued clashing till the uprising was crushed in 1856. The British defeated the Santhals using modern firearms and war elephants in decisive action in which both Sidho and Kanho died. Abhishek Angad writes-'Inder Kumar Choudhary, former HoD of History at Ranchi University, who has also written a book 'From Region to Nation: The Tribal Revolts in Jharkhand 1855-58', told The Indian Express that it was not that the 1855 uprising died down. 'In 1857, when there was a mutiny (as reported the first such in British India), the hin Hazaribagh and Manbhum area(current Dhanbad and Purulia area) had also led a war against the Britishers. So the idea of 'Hul' rebellion did not die down with its suppression.' 1. The Santhals were not the original inhabitants of modern day Santhal Pargana – which includes the six districts of Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, Deoghar and parts of Jamtara. They had migrated from the Birbhum and Manbhum regions (present-day Bengal), starting around the late 18th century. 2. The 1770 famine in Bengal caused the Santhals to begin moving and soon, the British turned to them for help. 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. They, thus, chose the area of Damin-i-Koh, at the time heavily forested, to be settled by the Santals, in order to collect a steady stream of revenue. However, once settled, the Santals bore the brunt of colonial oppression. 3. Today, the Santal community is the third largest tribal community in India, spread across Jharkhand-Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal. 📌Munda Rebellion: Birsa Munda launched the Ulgulan movement (Munda rebellion) in 1899, using weapons and guerrilla warfare to drive out foreigners. He encouraged the tribals to follow the Birsa Raj and not comply with colonial laws and rent payments. It was one of the most organised and widespread tribal revolts, with clear objectives: to overthrow the British government, expel outsiders from the region, and establish an independent Munda state. Known as 'Dharti Aba' ('Father of the Earth'), Birsa Munda organised the 'Ulgulan' or the Munda Rebellion against British oppression in the late 1890s. November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, is celebrated as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' to honour the contributions of the tribal freedom fighters. — However, the British were soon able to halt the movement through the superior strength of their forces. On March 3, 1900, Munda was arrested by the British police while he was sleeping along with his tribal guerilla army at the Jamkopai forest in Chakradharpur. — The movement contributed to the government's repeal of the begar system and led to the Tenancy Act (1903) which recognised the khuntkhatti system. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) later banned the passage of tribal land to non-tribal folks. 📌Paika Rebellion: In several recent descriptions, the 1817 Paika Rebellion in Odisha's Khurda is referred to as the 'original' first war of Indian Independence. That year, the Paikas – a class of military retainers traditionally recruited by the kings of Odisha – revolted against the British colonial rulers mainly over being dispossessed of their land holdings. —In the run-up to the revolt, the British had dethroned and exiled the Khurda king in 1803, and then started introducing new revenue settlements. For Paikas, who were into rendering martial services in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles, this disruption meant losing both their estates and social standing. —The trigger for the revolt came as some 400 Kondhs descended from the Ghumusar area to rise against the British. Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Bharamarbar Rai, the highest-ranking military general of the banished Khurda king, led an army of Paikas to join the uprising of the Kondhs. —Over the next few months, the Paikas fought bloody battles at several places, but the colonial army gradually crushed the revolt. 📌Kol Revolt: The Kols, tribal people from the Chhota Nagpur area, rose in revolt against the British in 1831. The trigger here too was the gradual takeover of tribal land and property by non-tribal settlers who were aided by new land laws. The simmering discontent over the economic exploitation of the original inhabitants led to an uprising led by Buddhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, and Madara Mahato among others. The Kols were joined by other tribes like the Hos, Mundas, and Oraons. —The tribals fought with traditional weapons taking the battle to colonial forces who finally overpowered them with modern weaponry. The uprising, which spread to areas like Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamau, Manbhum and continued for almost two years before being snuffed out, mainly targeted colonial officials and private money-lenders. 📌Bhil uprising: After the British intruded into the Bhil territory in Maharashtra's Khandesh region, the tribals pushed back fearing exploitation under the new regime in 1818. The revolt was led by their leader, Sewaram and was brutally crushed using the British military might. —This uprising again erupted in 1825 as the Bhils sought to take advantage of reverses being suffered by the British in the first Anglo-Burmese war. 📌Dhal Revolt: The first tribal revolt during British rule in Jharkhand was the Dhal Revolt in 1767, led by Jagannath Dhal, the former king of Dhalbhum, a part of West Bengal today. —Triggered by the presence of the British East India Company that marginalised the local population, this revolt lasted 10 years. In response to the ongoing unrest, the British reinstated Jagannath Dhal as the ruler of Dhalbhum in 1777. 📌 Tana Bhagat Movement: It began in 1914 by Jatra Bhagat, a leader of the Oraon tribe. He called for a return to traditional practices, rejecting colonial rule and Western influences. Bhagat highlighted agrarian issues and initiated a no-rent campaign, urging labourers to refuse forced or low-wage work. (1) After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what were the measures taken by the colonial government? (UPSC CSE 2018) 1. The territories called 'Santhal Parganas' were created. 2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (2) With reference to the history of India, 'Ulgulan' or 'the Great Tumult' is led by? (UPSC CSE 2020) (a) Bakshi Jagabandhu (b) Alluri Sitaramaraju (c) Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu (d) Birsa Munda (3) With reference to the Santhal Rebellion, consider the following statements: 1. It was an organised war against colonialism. 2. The rebellion was led by two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu. 3. The rebellion took place in the Damin-i-Koh region. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Sources: Hul Diwas: Remembering the Santal rebellion against the British, Birsa Munda's enduring legacy, Life, legend of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Explained: Four tribal revolts President Murmu invoked in her inaugural speech) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More


United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Bengal CM greets the tribal people to mark Hul Diwas
Kolkata, June 30 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today greeted the tribal people on the occasion of the solemn "Hul Diwas." "To mark the Hul Diwas, I extend my heartiest greetings to my tribal brothers and sisters," the chief minister said in a message to the Aboriginal people of the tribal community. Banerjee said that the struggle of the Santhals under Sidho and Kanho against the oppression of the British remains inspirational even today. She said that her government has named a university established in the Junglemahal region in the western part of the state after the two tribal heroes, Sidho and Kanho. The institution is a state university in the tribal-dominated Purulia district. The Hul Diwas is observed every year on June 30 to mark the Santhal Rebellion of 1855, one of the first tribal uprisings against British colonial rule and the feudal-zamindari system. The movement was initiated by the Santhal tribe, primarily led by Sidho Murmu and Kanhu Murmu, with the support of thousands of tribal men and women. It is a day of cultural pride, remembrance, and resistance for the tribal communities of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bihar. UNI PC GNK


The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Mamata greets tribals on ‘Hul Diwas'
'On the occasion of 'Hul Diwas', I extend my heartfelt respect to all my tribal brothers and sisters. The struggle of the Santhals, led by Sidho-Kanho, against the oppression and exploitation of the rulers, continues to inspire us today,' Banerjee posted on X. She said that the struggle of the Santhals under Sidho Murmu and Kanho Murmu against the oppression of the British remains inspirational even today. Kolkata, Jun 30 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday extended her greetings to the tribals, especially the Santhal community, on the occasion of 'Hul Diwas'. Banerjee stated that her government has named a university established in the Junglemahal region in the western part of the state after the two tribal heroes, Sidho and Kanho. The Sidho-Kanho-Birsa University is a public state university located in Purulia district. Hul Diwas, which is observed annually on June 30, commemorates the Santhal Hul (rebellion) led by the two brothers Sidho and Kanho against the East India Company in 1855. The rebellion, which began in Bhognadih village (in present-day Jharkhand), aimed to address the exploitation of the Santhal people by the British and local landlords. PTI SCH ACD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bruised and battered in police action, protesting teachers revive sit-in agitation
Kolkata, Barely 12 hours after jobless teachers found themselves at the receiving end of alleged police excesses as retaliation to laying siege to Bikash Bhavan, the West Bengal education department headquarters in Salt Lake, the protestors were back to ground zero on Friday, raising slogans in favour of their demand for 'reinstatement of jobs with dignity'. Many of the protestors had their heads and limbs bandaged, bearing testimony to the police baton-charge on them the previous evening. The gates of Bikash Bhavan, which also houses the office of Education Minister Bratya Basu, were locked by the authorities. On the previous day, those locks were broken by the agitators to enter the sprawling complex, forcing government employees to remain stuck inside till late evening, a move that led to the clashes between the teachers and the police. The agitators, teachers and non-teaching staff who claim they are 'untainted and deserving' in the murky school jobs scam, demanded that the state government take legal steps to reinstate them in the jobs they lost following a Supreme Court order last month. They also refused to write the exams for fresh recruitment, the process of which has to be completed by December by an Apex court order. The protesting teachers, numbering over a thousand, remained in a sit-in on the city thoroughfare outside the Bikash Bhavan premises and shouted slogans, while a large posse of police personnel stood on guard. Slogans such as "Nyajya chakri rakhbo, rajpathe thakbo " or 'Lojja lojja ' were heard. Several of those injured on Thursday also raised their voices in unison. Sitting on a makeshift podium, Dilip Ghosh, a wounded teacher who hailed from Purba Medinipur district, was watching his colleagues protest. Ghosh, who was taken to a hospital after sustaining serious leg and back injuries during the police action on May 13 night, insisted on coming back to the venue of protest, but he was barely able to speak. A fellow teacher Suman Das narrated to PTI how Ghosh was cornered as police swung into action and a RAF member hit him with a baton injuring him. "As police herded us from inside the compound to the road outside and ordered to vacate the premises within five minutes, we took him outside holding him by the arms and legs and took him to the hospital in a taxi," Das, a teacher of same district, told PTI. Suman Biswas, another teacher with a bandaged forehead, said as he refused to leave the premises unless Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits them and holds talks. He said he was punched by a constable who also pushed him. "After primary treatment, I returned to the venue. We will not enter the compound this time. We cannot be bodily lifted from the road. Let them open fire this time," he said. Donning traditional attires, a five-member group of Santhals, reached the spot pledging solidarity with the protestors and condemning the police action, as the teachers chanted: 'Bhata chai na, chakri chai .' Personnel of RAF, police force stood in full riot gear before the main entrance of Bikash Bhavan turning the area into a fortress. Some of the protesters approached them, asking them to understand their situation. "Why don't you appreciate our situation? Don't you have children, elderly parents at home? Why are you behaving in this way? Please allow us to go inside. There are women, at least allow them to use the washroom in Bikash Bhavan," some of the teachers were seen telling the police personnel. But the personnel in uniform looked on silently, those pleas falling on deaf ears. One of them told PTI: "We are only doing our duty. We cannot do anything on our own.'