Santhal rebellion: Difference between revisions

The Santhals lived in a territory that stretched from [[Hazaribagh district|Hazaribagh]] to [[Midnapore district|Medinipur]], along with other [[Munda languages|Munda ethnolinguistic]] tribals, spanning the [[Subarnarekha River]], and they depended on agriculture. Those areas were greatly affected by the [[Great Bengal famine of 1770|1770 Bengal famine]].<ref name=":1" /> In 1832, the EIC demarcated the [[Damin-i-koh]] region in present-day Jharkhand and encouraged the pre-existed [[Mal Paharia people|Paharia tribe]] of the [[Rajmahal hills]] to clear forests and practice agriculture. However, the Paharia tribe declined the offer, leading the company to invite the Santhals to settle in the region. Due to promises of land and economic amenities a large numbers of Santhals came to settle from [[Dhalbhum]], [[Manbhum]], [[Hazaribagh]], [[Midnapore]], and other surrounding areas. Soon, their population increased significantly from 3,000 to 83,000 in between 1830 and 1850. This growth in the number of agriculturists resulted in a 22-fold increase in Company revenue from the area. Subsequently, Mahajans and Zamindars, acting as money lenders, tax collectors, and other intermediaries employed by the EIC, came to dominate the local economy, governance, and administration.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Somers|first=George E.|title=The dynamics of Santal traditions in a peasant society|date=1979 |page=43 |publisher=Schenkman Pub. Co|oclc=5668202}}</ref> Many Santals became victims of corrupt money lending practices. They were lent money at exorbitant rates. When they were unable to repay the loan, their lands were forcibly taken and they were forced into bonded labour. This sparked the Santals to mobilize against the intermediaries, eventually leading to a rebellion against the EIC and the establishment of [[self-governance]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jha|first=Amar Nath|title=Locating the Ancient History of Santal Parganas|date=2009|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=70|pages=185–196|issn=2249-1937|jstor=44147668}}</ref>