Q. After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

  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:

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Santhal Uprising:
  • The Santhal Rebellion, also known as the Santhal Hul, was a major uprising by the Santhal people against British rule in India that took place from 1855–1856.
    • The Santals lived in a territory that stretched from Hazaribagh to Medinipur, spanning the Subarnarekha River, along with other Munda ethnolinguistic tribals, and they engaged on agriculture.
  • The rebellion was a response to decades of exploitation by the British, moneylenders, and landlords.
  • The rebellion was led by the four sibling brothers, Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav and Rohansai who was the main leader of the Santhal Tribe and their two sisters Phoolo and Jhano, who were killed in the cause.
Outcomes of the Santhal Rebellion:
  • Establishment of Santhal Parganas:
    • In response to the rebellion, the British created the Santhal Parganas as a separate district, with a Deputy Commissioner and four Assistant Commissioners to oversee the region. This district was exempted from general laws and regulations, and a new police system was introduced to encourage tribal participation in maintaining law and order.
  • Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act of 1876:
    • This Act was enacted to protect Santhal land rights and prevent their transfer to non-tribals, acknowledging their traditional land tenure system.
  • Heightened Awareness of Tribal Grievances:
    • The rebellion brought to light the plight of the Santhal people and the exploitative practices of the zamindari system and moneylenders.
  • Impact on Santhali Identity and Resistance:
    • The rebellion strengthened Santhali identity and fueled resistance against oppression, playing a role in the later formation of the state of Jharkhand.
  • Suppression and Devastation:
    • While the rebellion did lead to reforms, it also resulted in the deaths of thousands of Santhals and the destruction of countless villages.
  • Legal Reforms:
    • The Santhal Rebellion spurred the development of the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, which aimed to protect tribal land rights.