Santhal Revolt 1855: India’s Forgotten Tribal Revolution | Exam Guide

The Santhal Revolt: India’s First Organized War Against Colonialism
Relevance: UPSC 2018 Prelims & 2023 Mains featured Santhal Uprising questions. Tribal movements are high-yield for UPSC, SSC, and state exams.

Why in News?
June 30, 2025, marks 170 years of Santhal Hul (revolution)—a landmark tribal rebellion against British oppression. Jharkhand celebrates this day as Hul Diwas, honoring India’s first organized anti-colonial war that began in 1855—two years before the 1857 Revolt.

Key Takeaways:
Led by Sidhu-Kanhu, 32+ communities united against exploitative British policies, zamindars, and moneylenders.
The revolt erupted in Damin-i-Koh (Jharkhand), where the East India Company lured Santhals with land promises in 1832—only to impose brutal land-grabbing and bonded labor (kamioti/harwahi).
Modern firearms and war elephants crushed the rebellion by 1856, but its spirit fueled later revolts—like the 1857 uprisings in Hazaribagh and Manbhum.
Who Were the Santhals?
Migrated from Bengal after the 1770 famine, they settled in Santhal Pargana (Dumka, Pakur, Godda, etc.).
The Permanent Settlement Act (1790) turned them into revenue sources for the British, leading to extreme oppression.
Today, they’re India’s third-largest tribal community (spread across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal).

Impact & Legacy
Historian Inder Kumar Choudhary emphasizes: The Hul never truly died—it ignited the 1857 mutiny in tribal belts. The revolt exposed:
British exploitation via land seizures and forced labor.
Tribal unity across castes (Santhals, Mundas, Oraons).

Other Critical Tribal Revolts for Exams:
Munda Rebellion (1899): Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan movement demanded a Munda Raj. It birthed the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908)—protecting tribal lands.
Paika Rebellion (1817): Odisha’s military class revolted over land rights. Called the “original First War of Independence.”
Kol Revolt (1831): Kols, Hos, and Mundas fought British land laws in Chhota Nagpur.
Bhil Uprising (1818-25): Maharashtra’s Bhils resisted colonial intrusion twice.
Tana Bhagat Movement (1914): Oraon leader Jatra Bhagat launched a no-rent campaign against forced labor.


Why is the Santhal Revolt Important for Exams?
UPSC Hotspot: Directly asked in 2018 Prelims and 2023 Mains (GS-I: anti-colonial movements).
SSC/PSC Focus: Tribal revolts feature in General Awareness sections.
Thematic Relevance: Tests understanding of land rights, tribal identity, and colonial economic policies.
Current Affairs Link: 170th anniversaries often trigger exam questions.


Sample Exam Questions & Answers
Q: Who led the Santhal Hul of 1855?
A: Sidhu and Kanhu.
Q: Which act protected tribal lands post-Munda rebellion?
A: Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908.
Q: The Paika Rebellion is associated with which state?
A: Odisha.
Q: What was Damin-i-Koh?
A: A region in Jharkhand created by the British to settle displaced Santhals.
Q: Which tribal movement began in 1914 as a no-rent campaign?
A: Tana Bhagat Movement.


How to Smart-Prepare for Entrance Exams in Less Time
Competitive exams demand speed and precision. Here’s how to ace history in record time:
Focus on High-Yield Topics: Prioritize recurring themes (like tribal revolts in UPSC/SSC).
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Current Affairs + GK Combo: Revise with MyEntrance’s Daily Fact Sheets—covering anniversaries, laws, and movements.
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