Hul Diwas:
The Prime Minister paid a heartfelt tribute on Hul Diwas (30th June), commemorating the start of the Santhal uprising and honoring the legacy of Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phulo-Jhano, and other tribal martyrs who resisted colonial oppression.Santhal Hul was a tribal revolt and India’s first structured war against British oppression, launched in 1855, two years before the 1857 Revolt, aimed at resisting economic exploitation and land alienation.
Leaders & Unity: Led by Sidhu and Kanhu, the revolt united 32 castes/communities, showcasing rare tribal solidarity against colonial forces. It was sparked by the 1832 Damin-i-Koh settlement in the Rajmahal hills, where Santhals (displaced from Bengal) faced land-grabbing, bonded labour (kamioti/harwahi), and systemic oppression by British-backed zamindars. It led to the passage of Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876 (SPT Act) and later Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 (CNT Act). The SPT Act (1876) prohibits transfer of Adivasi land to non-Adivasis, ensuring Santhal land rights, while the CNT Act (1908) restricts sale of Adivasi and Dalit land, allowing transfers only within the same caste and area with Collector’s approval.
