Hul Diwas

Miscellaneous

Why in news?

President Draupadi Murmu pays tribute to the tribal warriors of Hul Diwas.

About Hul Diwas

Observation: Jharkhand observes June 30 as ‘Hul Diwas’ to honour the sacrifices of Adivasis in their struggle against British colonial rule.
Meaning of 'Hul': The term 'Hul' literally means revolution; it began in 1855.
Leaders: The rebellion was led by Sidhu and Kanhu, two Santhal brothers.
Region: It took place in the Damin-i-Koh region, meaning "skirts of the hills", located around the Rajmahal Hills in present-day Jharkhand.
Cause: The Santhals revolted against British colonial oppression and their local allies such as Zamindars and the police.
Significance: ‘Hul Diwas’ commemorates the start of the Santhal rebellion, a major tribal uprising against colonial rule.
India Post issued a ₹4 commemorative postage stamp in 2002 honouring Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, the leaders of the Santhal rebellion. The stamp was released in recognition of their role in the uprising against British colonial rule.

Topic	Details
What was the Santhal Rebellion?	The Santhal Rebellion or ‘Hul’ (1855–1856) was a tribal uprising against British rule and the zamindari system, led by four brothers—Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav.
Santhal Migration	The Santhals moved from Birbhum and Manbhum (Bengal) to present-day Santhal Pargana. The British settled them in Damin-i-Koh to collect revenue.
Causes of the Rebellion	The rebellion was triggered by British exploitation, forced extractions, property loss, false land measurements, and other injustices.
Planning and Participation	The Hul was a well-organized revolt with guerrilla warfare, secret bases, and logistical planning. Some non-Adivasi Hindu communities also supported it.
Role of Women	Phulo and Jhano, two sisters, led 1,000 women in the uprising, defeating British forces twice.
End of the Rebellion	The British imposed martial law, which ended in January 1856. The rebellion was later crushed by the Presidency armies.
Impact of the Hul	The Santhal uprising inspired future revolts, influenced the 1857 revolt, and became a symbol of tribal resistance in Jharkhand.

Q. Who were the main leaders of the Santhal rebellion of 1855?

(1) Phulo and Jhano
(2) Sidhu and Kanhu
(3) Chand and Bhairav
(4) Birsa Munda and Tilka Manjhi

Answer: (2) Sidhu and Kanhu