Santhal Hul and the impact of the land tenancy Acts on tribal lands

This year marks the 169th anniversary of the beginning of the Santhal Hul.

• The Santhal Hul/rebellion was one of the earliest peasant uprisings against British colonial oppression. 
• Every year, the state of Jharkhand celebrates June 30 as ‘Hul Diwas’, marking the beginning of the rebellion.

Santhals

• About: The Santal people, also known as Santalis, were not the original inhabitants of modern-day Santhal Pargana, which includes Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, Deoghar, and parts of Jamtara. 
  • They migrated from the Birbhum and Manbhum regions (present-day Bengal), starting around the late 18th century.
• Reason for Migration: The 1770 famine in Bengal prompted the Santals to begin moving and the British turned to them for help. 
• Current Status: The Santal community is the third largest tribal community in India, spread across Jharkhand-Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

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Background of the Genesis of the Santhal Hul Revolt

• Permanent Settlement Act of 1790: With the enactment of the Permanent Settlement Act of 1790, the East India Company aimed to bring more area under settled agriculture to increase revenue.
• Settlement in Damin-i-Koh: The British chose the heavily forested area of Damin-i-Koh to be settled by the Santals to ensure a steady stream of revenue. 
  • The Santhals who migrated due to the 1770 famine in Bengal were promised settlement and agricultural opportunities in Damin-i-Koh.
• Colonial Oppression: 
  • Once settled, the Santals faced colonial oppression.
  • They faced repressive practices such as Land-grabbing and Begari (bonded labour).
    • Bonded labour was of two types: Kamioti and Harwahi.
  • Predatory money-lenders and the police became byproducts of the system, exacerbating their plight.

Santhal Hul of 1885

• About: Santhal Hul of 1855 was a revolt against imperialism led by four brothers, Sidho, Kanho, Chand, and Bhairav Murmu, along with sisters Phulo and Jhano.
• Fought against: The Santhals also fought against the upper castes, zamindars, darogas, and moneylenders, described by the umbrella term ‘diku’.
• Reason: In an attempt to safeguard the economic, cultural, and religious aspects of their lives.
• Place of Origin of the Revolt: The rebellion took place in the lush Damin-i-Koh region – ‘Damin-i-Koh’ meaning the ‘skirts of the hills’ – and took the British by complete surprise. 
  • These areas include present-day Sahibganj, Godda, Dumka, Deoghar, Pakur, and parts of Jamtara in Jharkhand, specifically around the Rajmahal Hills of eastern Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.
• Leadership and Divine Inspiration: The Murmu brothers, inspired by the Santhal God Thakur Bonga’s divination, led the rebellion.
  • Around 60,000 Santhals participated in the uprising against the East India Company.
• Guerrilla Warfare: The Santhals engaged in guerrilla warfare that lasted almost six months.
  • More than 15,000 Santhals were killed, and 10,000 villages were destroyed.
• Suppression of the Rebellion:  The rebellion was finally crushed on January 3, 1856. The 
  • The British hanged Sidhu on August 9, 1855, and Kanhu in February 1856.
  • Although the insurrection ended, its impact was everlasting.

Legislations to safeguard the Adivasis in Jharkhand 

As a result of the Santhal Hul, two important land tenancy Acts were enacted:

• The Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPT Act): Enabled the right of the Santhals to self govern.
  • Enacted in: The SPT Act was enacted in 1876 by the british as a result of the Santhal Hul revolt, 
  • Act restricts: The Act prohibits the transfer of Adivasi lands (urban or rural land) to non-Adivasis. 
  • Act allows: The land can only be inherited as per the Act, thus retaining the rights of Santhals to self-govern their land.
• The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, (CNT Act):
  • Enacted in: As a result of the Birsa Movement, this Act was enacted by the British in 1908.
  • Act Allows: This Act allows land transfers within the same caste and certain geographical areas with the approval of the District Collector. 
  • Act Restricts: This Act also restricts the sale of Adivasi and Dalit land, while allowing land transfers between Adivasi individuals from the same police station and Dalits in the same district.

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