Explain Santhal rebellion.

The Santhal Rebellion, also known as the Santal Hool, was a significant tribal uprising against British colonial rule that took place in 1855-1856 in the Santhal Parganas region of present-day Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal in India. The rebellion was led by the Santhal tribal leaders, Sidhu and Kanhu, along with their brothers Chand and Bhairav.

Motivated by grievances such as oppressive land revenue policies, exploitative moneylenders, and the encroachment of British settlers, the Santhals, who were primarily agrarian, rose in revolt against the British administration. The rebellion began in June 1855 with the Santhals organizing themselves into a formidable force.

The Santhals, armed with traditional weapons like bows, arrows, and spears, attacked symbols of British authority and oppression, targeting revenue offices, police stations, and British-owned indigo factories. The rebellion was characterized by guerrilla warfare and acts of sabotage.

The British responded with a heavy hand, deploying military forces to suppress the uprising. The Santhals fought valiantly, but the superior firepower of the British eventually quelled the rebellion. The leaders, Sidhu and Kanhu, were captured and executed in 1856.

While the Santhal Rebellion did not achieve its immediate goals, it remains a crucial episode in the history of tribal resistance against colonial exploitation. The uprising highlighted the deep-seated discontent among tribal communities and their determination to resist oppressive British policies.