The epicentre of the famous Santal Rebellion or Insurrection is a small village called Bhognadih in the district of Sahibganj in Jharkhand, eastern India.
Bhognadih is the birthplace of four tribal heroes and two heroines who spearheaded the 1855 Santal Insurrection. All belong to the Murmu family.
The four brothers are Sido, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav. Their two sisters are Phulo and Jhano. These two sisters too were said have joined their brothers in the upsurge.
The insurrection, famously known as Santal Hul or Sonthal Hul (Hul means insurrection), was a revolt against British colonial mal-administration which was causing difficulties to tribal people. Added to their woes was the exploitation of moneylenders and landlords. These two groups were encouraged and fostered by the colonial rulers.
After getting the land survey done, the British imposed land tax. It had to be paid in cash. But the barter system of exchange, which was prevalent then, left the people with little cash. So, the British cleverly arranged moneylenders and petty traders from neighbouring Bengal to enter the tribal belt.
The money lenders had a field day. They lent money to the tribals generously , but at their rate of interest, even upto 200%. Often compound interest, that is, interest upon interest added to the capital loan.Certain villanous money lending sharks obtained thumb impressions of poor illiterate tribals on blank paper.
When the loan amount with monutainous interest became too heavy, the money lenders ‘consoled’ their victims. ‘They said, don’t worry. Since you cannot pay, give us a portion of your land. Otherwise, you will face court cases.’
Many of the businessmen and moneylenders gradually became landlords. The British encouraged landlordism also by carving out large portions of land to give to some non-tribals and their local staff. The tribals began to lose their land rapidly. Poverty increased alongside exploitation.
Sido Murmu woke up one fine morning saying he had a vision from the Marang Bonga (The Big Spirit). He claimed he was given the message to act with messianic fervour to liberate his fellow tribals. He and his family members called for a grand tribal assembly. It was attended by tribals, mostly Santals from near and far. The meeting was held at Panchkatia under a baniyan tree about six kilometers from Bhognadih and three kilometers from Barhait bazar.
The assemblage decided to move on foot towards Calcutta, British headquarters, to submit their grievances . They moved in groups. Calcutta was far away, about 300 kilometers from Bhognadih.
As they moved and as days passed, they felt hungry and forced open the godowns of moneylenders and landlords. Resistance from the landlords and money lenders was reinforced by British soldiers.
The tribals had their traditional hunting weapons such as spears and bows and arrows. The opposing groups had guns and bombs. The fierce resistance and struggle were sporadic and went on for about six months. When the Santals had reached Maheshpur, half way to Calcutta and bordering Bengal, they had lost about twenty thousand lives.
Reportedly Sido, the leader, was betrayed by a tribal and was caught. Then fighting came to an end.
The British went into a huddle to celebrate their victory. But a prick of conscience over the bloodshed made them say, ‘No more another such bloodshed.’ Hence, the area the Santals occupied was carved out and named Sonthal Parganas district. Special rules of administration were framed favouring tribal customary practices and for land security. Tribal holdings could not be sold or exchanged.
The land tenancy laws prevented land sale even among tribals.
So, though the 1855 insurrection was a bloody affair, it resulted in a favourable ruling by the British for the tribals.
The present Santhal Pargana division constitutes six administrative units known as Districts.
It is worth noting a description of the Santals by Charles Dickens in his Household Words in the context of the 1855 rebellion:
“There seems also to be a sentiment of honor among them; for it is said that they use poisoned arrows in hunting, but never against their foes. If this be the case and we hear nothing of the poisoned arrows in the recent conflicts, they are infinitely more respectable than our civilized enemy, the Russians, who would most likely consider such forbearance as foolish, and declare that is not war.” (Wikipedia. Org.)
Mrinal Sen’s film Mrigayaa (1976) depicts partly the exploitation the Santals suffered during the colonial rule. Incidentally, the film was shot in Santal Parganas.
Reference to the film Mrigayaa: