Every year on 30th June, Jharkhand observes Santhal Revolution Day ‘Hul Diwas’ to commemorate the sacrifice of tribal revolutionaries Sidho-Kanho, Chand-Bhairav, and Phulo-Jhano.

 

In Bhognadih village of Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, like every year thousands of people will gather today to pay tribute to the immortal martyrs of the Santhal Hul, Sidho, Kanho, Chand, Bhairav, Phulo and Jhano. It was on 30th June, 1855 that Sidho and Kanho launched the Santhal Hul from Bhognadih against British rule and the exploitative moneylending system, a movement that many scholars of tribal history regard as India’s first organised war of independence.

 

Historians say that after an assembly of nearly 20,000 people, an armed struggle began against the British, with Santhals and several other local communities joining the uprising. Armed with bows, arrows and traditional weapons, the revolutionaries mounted a strong challenge to the East India Company’s forces, and the movement continued for nearly a year.

 

During the struggle, Chand and Bhairav attained martyrdom, while Sidho and Kanho were later captured and executed by the British. ‘Hul Diwas’ is regarded in Jharkhand as a symbol of self-respect, resistance and tribal identity, and a variety of programmes are organised across the state, especially at Bhognadih, to mark the occasion.