The aftermath of Augustus Cleveland’s assassination
After the assassination of Augustus Cleveland, Baba Tilka was hanged to death and his followers were either shot dead or imprisoned.
Read: Santal revolution: Revolution of Baba Tilka
After this, the responsibility of Damin-E-Koh was handed over to Abdul Rasul Khan. Company officials were extorting the people. In this time the benefits that Paharias were enjoying during the time of August Cleveland were barred. So, the Paharias again started looting; here and there the report of plunder became routine. It continued until 1791.
Constructive Plan
During the 1790s Company adopted a new constructive plan to establish new settlements, they welcomed the indigenous people to make settlements and create croplands in the forest area of Birbhum district.
Thousands of Santhal people from various regions arrived to settle there. At first, Santhals established their village at Sagarbhanga on the east side of Damin-E-Koh, then at Pipra and Amgachhiya. Gradually the number of villages increased. In 1809 they established their habitat in Dumka Sub-Division and Godda Sub-Division in 1818.
Damin-E-Koh
The area Damin-E-Koh was planned by Augustus Cleveland. As the population increased, the responsibility of demarking the area of Damin-E-Koh was given to John Petty Ward. In 1833 he along with Surveyor Captain Tanner completed the demarking of Damin-E-Koh.
A total of 1366.01 square mile areas of Bhagalpur, Murshidabad, and Birbhum were demarcated under Damin-E-Koh. Except for 500 square miles of this total area, another area was covered with hills. Within this 500 square miles, 254 square miles was arable land, and the remaining 246 square mile was forest-covered.
Santhals in Damin-E-Koh
Santhals started making settlements in this area between 1790 and 1810. A large number of Santhals from Manbhum, Dhalbhum, Barabhum, Palamos, and Hazaribagh arrived to settle in Damin-E-Koh. They thought they would live here peacefully.
The whole day they used to work hard, they cleared forest, drove the wild beasts away, and they converted the barren land to cultivable one. From the dawn to the dusk they would work hard, and in the evening they would enjoy their dance and song. Thus they pioneered human civilization in the dense forest.
By 1836 there were no less than 427 the villages, of which Santhals inhabited the maximum number. By 1851 there were 82,795 Santhals in Damin-E-Koh residing in 1,437 villages.
Introduction of Revenue
Initially, Santhals were not informed that tax would be levied on the land. After demarking Damin-E-Koh, Mr James Pontet was appointed as the revenue officer of Damin-E-Koh.
People gave him the nickname Paltin Saheb, His duty was only to collect revenue, and police officials, the darogas would assist him. He had no authority to look after civil and criminal cases, for that people had to go to Deoghar or Bhagalpur.
In 1838 the revenue collection was just Rs. 2,000 it increased to Rs. 43,919 in 1851, and by 1854-55 it became Rs. 58,033.
Read: Birth of the first human couple
Corrupt Merchants and Money Lenders
As settlement flourished in that area, non-Santhal Hindu people from the plain area arrived and established their settlement near Santhal villages. Santhal people call them Diku, Dikus established their businesses in those areas.
Generally, these Diku merchants were corrupt and crooked. They would sell salt, spice, tobacco, cheap jewellery, etc. in exchange for rice or other crops. These Diku merchants would use two different kinds of weight, heavy one while they are buying crops from Santhals and light one while giving back commodities in exchange.
No matter how much crops a Santhal brings to a crop dealer, it never crossed 20 ser. These merchants and crop dealers would cheat Santhals in every way, in weighing, in counting.
This way when a Santhal became out of source, all his grain was sold to corrupt merchants, then he had to go to a crop dealer or to a moneylender to borrow some grain or lend some money.
In the next harvesting season, the crop dealer would take the lion share of the produced crop. However, still, the borrowings would never be repaid; it used to be continued. The money lenders would take 50% to 500% interest, they would cheat on Santhals while calculating, and thus the loan of a Santhal would never be repaid.
In the name of one single loan, the Dikus would take their lands, cattle, crops, everything. In this way, the Dikus became rich and landlords, though they had not created a single patch of cultivable land. Even, the Santhals had to work for Dikus without wages only for one loan. Thus the Santhals became their slaves.
Santhals had no paper documents, while the Dikus had documented all fraud transactions. Whenever the Santhals had protested, the Dikus would show them all those papers and would threaten them with police, court, and jail.
The local officials, police were always in favour of these Diku merchants, money lenders, and zamindars. In this time, the life of Santhals became hell.
Barhet Bazar
Barhet was a major town of Damin-E-Koh, a business hub in that region at that time. Many Diku merchants and money lenders had their settlement there. Santhals used to bring and sell their crops at Barhet; in exchange for that Santhals would get little money, or they would buy some daily essentials.
Tons of food grain, oilseeds would be supplied from Barhet to Calcutta, via Jangipur and Murshidabad; and then to England.
Indigo Cultivation
Nowadays, liquid or solid chemical blue is available to apply on white cloths. At that time it would be produced from the indigo plant through processing.
Indigo was a very lucrative plant for the British as the demand for this blue pigment produced from indigo was high in the European market.
So, The Britishers forced the farmers of Bengal to cultivate more indigo than other crops. Though the indigo cultivation was not profitable to Santhals, the Nilkor Sahebs forced them to do so. Even the Nilkor Sahebs used the Santhals as forced labour in the indigo fields.
Railway Work
To make the Company’s business smooth and to have easy access to all major locations, British East India Company had started to expand its railway line. As Santhals worked hard, the Company engaged them in this work with minimum wage. The company officials looking after the railway work would often harass the Santhals and would take away the Santhals’ livestock.
Notable Santhal Persons at that time
In that time there were some notable and respected persons in that area; Durga Manjhi and Matru Pargana at Benagaria, Ram Pargana at Baromasiya, Mani Pargana at Jambro, Champai Majhi at Shilingi, Harma Manjhi at Pipra, Muruli Manjhi at Shalboni, Bijoy Manjhi at Litipara, Garbhu Manjhi at Amgachhiya, and Shyam Pargana at Pararkol. By their hard work, they had made prosperity and had earned Santhals’ respect.
Kenaram Bhakat and Mahesh Daroga
Kenaram Bhakat of Amrapara was one of those corrupt Diku businessmen. Mahesh Lal Dutta was the Daroga (officer in charge) of Dighi Police Station; he would assist the collector in collecting revenue in that area.
Bijoy Manjhi of Litipara had once borrowed twelve baskets of rice from Kenaram Bhakat; in return, he had given a hundred baskets of rice to Kenaram Bhakat. But still, Kenaram Bhakat demanded that the debt has not been repaid. As Bijoy Manjhi refused this demand one day Kenaram Bhakat came to Bijoy Manjhi’s house with his Lathiyals and a peon carrying the papers for seizing Bijoy Majhi’s properties. Soon, as villagers gathered, Kenaram Bhakat had to leave the village on that day.
A few days later, Kenaram Bhakat returned to Bijoy Majhi’s village; now, he was accompanied by Mahesh Daroga and his force. This time villagers failed to protect Bijoy Majhi, Mahesh daroga arrested and sent him to Bhagalpur. Bijoy Majhi died in Bhagalpur jail without justice.
Kenaram Bhakat with the help of Mahesh Daroga had occupied all the properties of Garbhu Majhi of Amgachhiya.
Sidhu, Kanu, Chand, and Bhairab
In this situation, the life of Santhal people became very pathetic. As the situation was getting worse, Santhals were preparing for a massive revolution. Four brothers, Sidhu Murmu, Kanu Murmu, Chand Murmu, and Bhairab Murmu of village Bhagnadihi near Barhait appeared as the leaders of Santhals.
Sidhu and Kanu propagated that Thakur, the God had appeared to them seven times in various forms, and Thakur advised them to unite all the Santhals. They erected a shrine of Thakur at their home. On 15th June 1855, they sent a Sarjom Gira, a Sal branch from one village to another village, from one Manjhi to another Manjhi carrying the news of Thakur’s appearance and his advice to Sidhu and Kanu.
They sent the message that there would be a large assembly of Santhals at Bhagnadihi on the full moon day of the month Ashar. This message spread across the Damin-E-Koh very quickly, raising the voice ‘let’s go to Bhagnadihi’.
Great rally at Bhagnadihi
As previously notified, on the full moon day of 30th June 1855 almost 10,000 Santhals arrived at an open field near Bhagnadihi. Sidhu and Kanu addressed the gathering from the centre. They said that they would only pay four ana tax for the land ploughed by bulls, and eight ana for the land ploughed by buffalo. As local officials and police are in favor of Diku merchants, money lenders, and Jamindars; they decided that they will march to Calcutta, to tell their pathetic condition to the then Borolat, The Governor-General of IndiaLord Dalhousie. Sidhu and Kanu sent their representatives with letters to convey their message to local Darogas, Jamindars, and Magistrates and they demanded a quick response.
Sidhu and Kanu made it clear if the Borolat doesn’t listen to them then they shall fight, they shall drive away all the Dikus, Jamindars, Moneylenders, and corrupt merchants. They shall establish their own autonomy in the region; they shall endorse British rule no longer.
March to Calcutta
From that rally, approximately 30,000 Santhals started marching towards Calcutta. They chanted ‘delabon kalukata’ means let’s go to Calcutta echoed around the forest, on the mountain. Sidhu and Kanu decided that they would worship Thakur at Panchkhetia Bazar, and then they would march towards Calcutta.
The arrest of Garbhu Majhi and Harma Majhi
When Sidhu and Kanu with a large number of Santhals were at Panchkhetia bazaar they heard the news that Mahesh daroga had arrested Garbhu Majhi, Harma Majhi, and Harma’s son Champai for a fraud case filed by Kenaram Bhakat, who already had occupied Garbhu Majhi’s properties, now he wants to grab Harma Majhi’s properties too.
Sidhu and Kanu got to know that Garbhu Majhi and Harma Majhi with his son will be taken to Bhagalpur. This incident just added fire to the fuel; Santhals became very angry. Sidhu and Kanu decided first to unhand Garbhu, Harma, and Chanpai from Mahesh daroga.
The encounter between Mahesh daroga and Sidhu, Kanu
Harma Majhi with his son and Garbhu Majhi would be taken to Bhagalpur through a road from Barhet bazaar, via Bhagnadi.
At a place near Bhagnadi two rivers Morel and Gumani meet, Sidhu and Kanu with their followers ambushed there for Kenaram Bhakat and Mahesh daroga as they would pass by there.
It was 7th July 1855 when Kenaram Bhakat and Mahesh daroga arrived there with Garbhu Majhi, Harma Majhi, and Champai tied by a rope, Sidhu, and Kanu with other Santhals blocked their road. Mahesh daroga threatened them that the consequence of opposing his duty would be bad for Santhals. Both parties engaged in arguments.
Amid this argument, Garbhu Majhi, Harma Majhi and his son were unleashed by Santhals. Suddenly Garbhu Majhi took an axe from someone’s hand and hewed down Kenaram Bhakat with a loud cry Hool, Hool.
Kenaram Bhakat died instantly; enraged Santhals killed Mahesh daroga and all his men. This was the first blood of Santhal Hool, after this event Santhal Hool turned into a bloody conflict between Santhals and British troops.
Major Events
After the killing of Kenaram Bhakat and Mahesh daroga rebels arrived at Panchkhetia bazaar. Here they killed some Diku moneylenders and merchants, namely Manik Choudhuri, Gorachand Sen, Sarthak Rakshit, Nimai Dutta, and Hiru Dutta.
Commissioner of Bhagalpur Mr.C.F. Brown got this news of killing daroga and his men on 8th July. In this time rebels had occupied a few more villages. Now the rebels are heading towards Bhagalpur to free the Santhal prisoners from jail. Mr. Brown ordered Major Baroj to protect Bhagalpur and Rajmahal area.
On 11th July Major Baroj with his troop reached a place named Kalga. From there he wrote to the Commissioner of Bhagalpur that they needed more soldiers. Commissioner of Bhagalpur then wrote to Danapur cantonment for more troops.
Major General Loyed was given a special responsibility to control the rebellion. Colonel Bard was promoted to brigadier and was given the charge of district Bankura and Birbhum. 500 cavalry, 40 elephants, and two canons from Murshidabad were sent to suppress the rebellion.
On the other side Sidu and Kanu attacked Pakur Rajbari, Zamindar of Pakur had already fled, Pakur was devastated by rebels.
On 13th July, a large troop of the 7th regiment from Berhampore arrived at Kadamsayar. Then rebels were heading towards Maheshpur. On 15th July rebels met the troop of 7th regiment beside the Tarai River near Pakur.
Santhal rebels with their bow-arrow, axe, and swords started fighting British troops armed with firearms. Soon many Santhals gave their ultimate sacrifice. Leading four brothers were also injured in this fight.
In the adjacent area of Dumka rebels under Tribhuban and Mansing Majhi’s leadership destroyed several nilkuthis and looted several merchants’ houses.
On 16th July, Major Baroj with several other military officers reached Piyalpur with a large number of troops. Near Piyalpur there was a canyon; Santhals had already established several camps on the other side of that canyon.
Chandrai Majhi commanded one camp, and he would be assisted by Shyam Pargana of Pararkol and Santhals of the village Pipra. Garbhu Majhi and Bikram Majhi were in charge of two other camps. Behind all these camps the main force of Sidu and Kanu was stationed. When Major Baroj approached the camps crossing the canyon, Santhals attacked them. The attack was so intense that Major Baroj had to send a message for reinforcement.
Another group of troops attacked Pararkol, Santhals from Pipra rushed there. After an unequal fight many Santhals died and one leader Shyam Pargana laid down his life in that battle. After the death of Shyam Pargana, Santhals became very angry; they fought back with all their power; they fought till their last breath. In this fight, several British troops died and one British officer Major Stuard was injured. Soon heavy downpour started, and British soldiers had to retreat on that day.
On 21st July, rebels fought with armed police forces near Katna village. In this fight, the police had to retreat.
On 23rd July, rebels captured Ganpur bazaar where many corrupt Dikus had their settlement.
On 24th July, Kanu and Chand had an encounter with British troops near Barhet bazaar. In front of firearms, Santhals were unable to fight for long, so, Santhals took themselves inside the forest. British troops brought Barhet Bazaar under their control and destroyed many Santhal villages, killing many Santhals indiscriminately.
On 29th July, Captain Sherwill with a large troop of 40th native infantry destroyed dozens of Santhal villages. Lieutenant Gordon and Lieutenant Rubee destroyed many Santhal villages. Village after village was destroyed, Santhals took themselves inside the forests.
Commissioner of Nadia division Mr. A. C. Bidwall was appointed as a special commissioner to control this rebellion. On 17th August, the Government issued a proclamation urging the Santhals to surrender, but Santhals did not care.
For a few days, the situation became quiet. But it was not the end of revolt; on 16th September rebels looted Oporbandha village and destroyed a police station. By mid-October, Santhals captured several villages of Dumka under Sidu and Kanu’s command.
Near Sangrampur, Santhals had their camp on the hilltop. Santhals were armed with bow-arrows, axe, and swords; they were ready to face the British troops.
British troops got the news of rebels’ position. Though British troops arrived there, they didn’t dare to climb the hill; so British commanders made a plan to bring the rebels down from the hilltop. When rebels were stepping forward, then the troop fired a few blank shots that only sounded but no bullets.
Santhals thought their Thakur was helping them and by his power, the bullets were vanishing in midair. Seeing this, hundreds of rebels rushed towards the troop, as the rebels were getting forward troops were stepping back. Thus when the rebels came down from the hill and got out of the forest, the British commander ordered his troops to fire real bullets.
Within a moment hundreds of Santhal rebels fell on the ground. But still, rebels charged the troops with their primitive weapons. In this fight, both Sidu and Kanu got injured.
On 10th November, martial law was enforced to control the rebellion. Major General Loyed and Brigadier Bard reached Damin-E-Koh with 14,000 troops. Village after village was destroyed, Santhals were killed indiscriminately, and shoot at sight order was passed. Thousands of Santhals were shot dead, and thousands were imprisoned.
After the revoke of martial law in January 1856, Santhals again started attacking Sahebs, Dikus, and police stations and looted several Diku villages.
On 27th January Lieutenant Fegan met Santhal rebels comprising around 200 men. In front of guns, several rebels gave their ultimate sacrifice. Later it was discovered that in this confrontation, one rebel who died in a men’s outfit was a woman.
It is known that Sidhu was shot dead in February; some source says he was hanged to death. Later Kanu was arrested, and he was hanged to death. Several other leaders were shot dead or hanged to death, and some were imprisoned.
It is estimated that around 15,000 Santhals were killed in this bloody conflict. In this way, the Santhal Hool ended.
Though the Government was able to suppress the Santhal Hool, it shocked them. Later the Government realized that Santhals have to be treated carefully. This realization lead to the creation of Santhal Parganas and to pass some special laws, like the Santhal Pargana Tenancy act, and the Chhotonagpur tenancy act.
Sources-
· Saotal Gono Songramer Itihas (The Story of Santal uprise)- Dhirendranath Baske.
· Bengal District Gazetteers, Santal Parganas – L. S. S. O’Malley, Indian Civil Service.
· The Annals of Rural Bengal – W.W. Hunter.