Hul Diwas

3rd July, 2023 History

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Context

On Hul Diwas, PM modi, through a tweet, remembered Santhal rebellion and sacrifice made by adiwasis in their fight against British colonial authorities
In state of Jharkhand, June 30 is celebrated as Hul Diwas.

Other Details

Santhal Rebellion

Hul literally means revolution.
The Santal/Santhal rebellion, considered the first war for Indian independence by some historians, began in 1855.
Led by Santal community it was an organised war against colonial economic oppression.

Leader and participation

The rebellion was led by two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu,
Inpired from the brother, around 32 caste and communities joined this revolt and surprised the british.

Regions

Forested Damin-i-Koh region (skirts of hills)
It lies in the present-day Jharkhand which is around the Rajmahal Hills of eastern Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.

Background of Santhals

In late 18th century, the Santal people –migrated to Santhal Pargana (currently in districts of Dumka, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, Deoghar and parts of Jamtara) from the West Bengal (Birbhum and Manbhum).
The main reason for migration was the 1770 famine in Bengal.
British settled them in Damin-i-Koh region for the purpose of collecting tax and generating revenue.
They were further exploited by money-lenders and the police.
Today, the Santal community is the third largest tribal community in India, spread across Jharkhand-Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

Reasons for Hul/ Santhal Rebellion

The adverse social and economic conditions of Santals were the main cause of revolt as observed by Calcutta Review.
Oppressive extortions, forced eviction from land, abuse and personal violence by Zamindars, the police, the revenue and court were the common occurrence.
Some forms of exploitations were -
- Loan rates as high as 500%.
- False measures at the haut and the market.
- Intentional trespassing and illegal capturing of their untethered cattle, tattoos, ponies, elephants.
- Destruction or control of growing

Start of the revolt

In tribal councils and meetings, discussion surrounding the adverse exploitation and rebellion were frequent by 1854.
Finally 6,000 Santhals from 400 villages were gathered in an assembly held on June 30, 1855 and declared autonomy from the British.
Two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu made leader to mobilize Santal people across the region.
Participation of Santals in revolt was massive, approximately 60,000 Santhals, and many of them took up arms.
Many non-Adivasi Hindu castes also participated.
Moneylenders and zamindars were killed or forced to evict the region.
Many police stations, railway stations and post offices were attacked and burnt.

Was it organized rebellion ?

At first glance this revolt seems unorganised chaotic uprising However there are evidence that suggest it to be highly organised rebellion.
Some evidences, given in a book by Ashwini Pankaj -
- Formation of guerrillas and military teams to prepare for war.
- Spy network creation.
- Many secret bases were set up.
- For smooth coordination, a network for logistics and message carriers was created.

Other facts about the Hul

To control this uprising British resorted to various brutal tactics -
- They invoked the Martial Law and killed thousands of
- British also burned down villages.
- They hanged people on various corners of the road.
Around 32 communities (tribals and non-tribals both) participated in revolt.
Phulo-Jhano sisters commanded an army of 1,000 women.
- Main aim of this army was to provide food supply, gathering intelligence and to attack the East Indian camps during the night.
During the rebellion army of EIC was defeated twice.
- In Pirpainti
- In Birbhum
The rebellion was suppressed by 1856. However, according to Inder Kumar Choudhary, the Santals in Hazaribagh and Manbhum area participated in the mutiny of 1857 too.

British Narrative

After the complaints and instances of exploitation, various british officers examined the situation however they considered mahajans the main cause behind revolt. They found -
- No signs of over taxation(land rent) was found.
- Justice for Santhals was inaccessible and far off.
- Mahajans (money lending) were inflicting sufferings which needed to be addressed.

Prisoners’ account after the Hul

The book HUL DOCUMENTS records mentioned about the dream of a deity -
- Deity appeared in front of Kanoo Sonthal and a Parwana (an order) to the Bada Sahib in Calcutta was sent afterwards.
- The deity also asked Seedo Sonthal to kill british officieres, Pontet and the Darogah, and Mahajuns.