Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu: Difference between revisions

'''Sidhu Murmu''' and '''Kanhu Murmu''' were the leaders of the [[Santhal rebellion]] (1855–1856), the rebellion in present-day [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bengal]] ([[Purulia]] and [[Bankura]]) in eastern [[India]] against both the British colonial authority and the corrupt [[zamindari system]].<ref name=sm1>{{cite web|title=Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu|url=http://www.incrediblejharkhand.com/?p=281|work=incrediblejharkhand.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref>

Santals lived in and depended on forests. In 1832, the British  demarcated the [[Damin-i-koh]] region in present day [[Jharkhand]] and invited Santhals to settle in the region. Due to promises of land and economic amenities a large numbers of Santhals came to settle from [[Cuttack]], [[Dhalbhum]], [[Manbhum]], [[Hazaribagh]], [[Midnapore]] etc. Soon, mahajans and [[Zamindar|zamindars]] as tax-collecting intermediaries deployed by British dominated the economy. Many Santals became victims of corrupt money lending practices. They were lent money at exorbitant rates when they never could repay then their lands were forcibly taken, they were forced into bonded labour. This sparked the Santal rebellion.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jha|first=Amar Nath|date=2009|title=LOCATING THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF SANTAL PARGANAS|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=70|pages=185–196|issn=2249-1937|jstor=44147668}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/when-the-santhals-rebelled-1245196|title=When the Santhals rebelled|website=thedailystar}}</ref>

On 30 June 1855, two [[Santhal people|Santal]] rebel leaders, Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu (related as brother) along with Chand and Bairab,<ref>{{cite book|last=Richard Gott|title=Britain's Empire: Resistance, Repression and Revolt|date=2012|publisher=Verso|isbn=978-1844670673|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7gj4ayAItV8C&pg=PT730 }}</ref>  mobilized about 10,000 Santals and declared a rebellion against [[British Empire|British colonists]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Sailendra Nath Sen|title=An Advanced History of Modern India|date=2010|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9780230328853|page=120|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bXWiACEwPR8C&pg=PA1876 }}</ref>  The Santals initially gained some success but soon the British found out a new way to tackle these rebels. Instead, they forced them to come out of the forest. In a conclusive battle which followed, the British, equipped with modern firearms and war [[Elephant|elephants]], stationed themselves at the foot of the hill. When the battle began, the British officer ordered his troops to fire without loading bullets. The Santals, who did not suspect this trap set by the British war strategy, charged with full potential. This step proved to be disastrous for them. As soon as they neared the foot of the hill, the British army attacked with full power and this time they were using bullets. Although the revolution was suppressed, it marked a great change in the colonial rule and policy. The day is still celebrated among the Santal community.<ref name=sm2>{{cite book|title=Social Science|publisher=Social Science History Association|page=29|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x_-Iry_6ZpcC&pg=PA29 |isbn=9788183320979|year=1968}}</ref>

[[Sido Kanhu Murmu University]] is named upon them. [[India Posts|Indian post]] also issued a [[Indian rupee|₹]] 4  stamp in 2002 honouring them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stamps 2002|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Stamps2002.aspx|work=indiapost.gov.in|accessdate=19 April 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418215324/http://indiapost.gov.in/Stamps2002.aspx|archivedate=18 April 2014}}</ref> There is also a [[Sidhu Kanhu Memorial Park]] in [[Ranchi]], named in their honour.

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