The Santhal Rebellion was one of the most serious challenges faced by the British in the first century of its rule.
The Santhals were freedom-loving people who lived in what is now present day Jharkhand. However, the atrocities they had to put up with, both from the landlords, and the East India Company, led to an armed revolt by them.
In June, 1855 four brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav gave a call for rebellion. The infuriated Santhals attacked the houses of moneylenders and zamindars. Their slogan was destruction of zamindars, moneylenders and the British rulers.
The rebellion continued for a few months, and though it received a lot of support from the local people, the military might of the British finally brought it to a crushing defeat. However, the fire of freedom lit by the Santhals continued to blaze in the hearts of the people.
