Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Today, on June 30th, we observe Hul Diwas. But this is more than just a date on a calendar; it is a day of solemn remembrance for one of India's fiercest and most significant uprisings against colonial oppression—the Santhal Rebellion of 1855. It is a story of unbreakable spirit, immense courage, and a fight for dignity that predates the famous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
What Sparked the "Hul"?
In the mid-19th century, the Santhal tribe, who lived in the forested regions of present-day Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, found themselves under the crushing weight of a two-pronged attack. The British East India Company's policies and the predatory local zamindars (landlords) and moneylenders were systematically stripping them of their land, their autonomy, and their way of life. They were being forced into inescapable debt and treated as bonded laborers on the very soil that had been theirs for generations.
Fed up with the injustice, four brothers—Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav Murmu—along with their two sisters, Phulo and Jhano, rose to lead their people.
On June 30, 1855, a massive gathering of over 10,000 Santhals took place at Bhognadih village. In this powerful assembly, Sidhu Murmu made a historic declaration: they would no longer pay taxes to the British and would establish their own self-rule, or swaraj. This declaration was the start of the "Hul," meaning "rebellion" or "revolution" in the Santhali language.
A Fight Against Impossible Odds
What followed was a full-blown war. Armed with traditional weapons like bows, arrows, and swords, tens of thousands of Santhal men and women bravely fought against the modern firearms of the British military. They targeted symbols of their oppression—the offices of the East India Company, the homes of moneylenders, and police stations.
The British response was swift and brutal. The rebellion was eventually crushed, and it is estimated that over 20,000 Santhals, including the Murmu brothers, sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.
Why Hul Diwas Still Matters Today
Remembering the Santhal Rebellion is crucial for several reasons:
- It Corrects History: It reminds us that the fight for India's freedom was not limited to one event but was a long series of struggles, with tribal communities often on the front lines.
- It Honors Unsung Heroes: It brings the names of Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav, Phulo, and Jhano Murmu into the mainstream narrative of India’s freedom fighters.
- It's a Symbol of Resistance: The Hul remains a powerful symbol against exploitation and a fight for social justice, land rights, and tribal identity—issues that are still relevant today.
Hul Diwas is a tribute to the incredible bravery of the Santhal community. It is a powerful reminder that the fight for justice, dignity, and self-rule is a timeless and essential part of India’s story.
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