Colonial Regime and Tribal Protests: Reassessing the Santal Agitation of 1861 and Its Historical Significance

The period followed the suppression of the Santal Hul of 1855-1856 was not peaceful as Santals and theircompatriots continued to protest colonial regime in the Santal Parganas. The colonial administration passedand implemented a number of Acts and Rules to satisfy Santals rectifying their grievances. In fact, bypassing several legislation the government attempted to restrict land alienation, curb high interest ratesand dismantle the exploitative systems run by moneylenders and landlords. Thus the Company governmentsought to address grievances of the Santals through legislation and its immediate implementation by theirprompt action and direction. But moneylenders, landlords and colonial officials’ staffs continued to exploit,harass and torture them. The Santals, therefore, got again discontented and agitated from 1856 thatculminated in the Santal Agitation in 1861. As the Agitation is an overlooked aspect of the RegionalHistory of the Santal Parganas, the study underscores its origin, progress and historical significance inTribal History of the region.