“Penetration of outsiders — called dikus by the Santhals — completely destroyed their familiar world, and forced them into action to take possession of their lost territory.”

Answer:

• The Santhal rebellion of 1855-56 was a major tribal uprising against colonial rule and the intrusion of outsiders, called dikus. These outsiders included moneylenders, zamindars, traders, police and revenue officials.

Destruction of the Santhal World

Land alienation:

• The Santhals had settled in the Damin-i-Koh region with hopes of cultivating land freely.
• Gradually, moneylenders and landlords trapped them in debt.
• Land passed out of Santhal hands through fraud, interest and coercion.

Exploitation by dikus:

• Mahajans charged high interest and manipulated accounts.
• Police and courts usually supported outsiders.
• Traders and revenue agents disrupted Santhal customary life.

Attack on autonomy:

• Colonial administration undermined traditional Santhal community structures.
• The familiar world of land, forest and clan autonomy was destroyed.

Santhal Response

Hul or rebellion:

• Under leaders like Sidhu and Kanhu, the Santhals rose in rebellion.
• They attacked symbols of diku oppression and colonial authority.
• Their aim was to recover control over their land and community life.
• Therefore, the Santhal rebellion was not a blind outburst. It was a response to the destruction of a familiar social and ecological world by colonial penetration and outsider exploitation.