Previous Year Question
After the Santhal rising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the Colonial Government?
The territories called ‘Santhal Paraganas’ were created.
It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a Non-Santhal.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Historical background: The Santhal rising, or Santhal Hul, occurred in 1855–1856. Its principal leaders were Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu; Chand and Bhairav Murmu were also associated with its leadership. It was directed against moneylenders, zamindars, police and revenue officials, and the colonial system that protected them.
Statement 1 is correct.
Through Act XXXVII of 1855, the colonial government removed the Santhal-inhabited territories from the operation of the general laws and regulations.
These territories were organised as a separate non-regulation administrative area, known as the Santhal Parganas.
This was an administrative reorganisation undertaken by the government. Sidhu and Kanhu were not its founders or administrators; they were leaders of the rebellion.
Statement 2 is correct.
Acquisition of Santhal land by moneylenders and other outsiders was a major cause of the rebellion.
The special land-tenure system developed after the rebellion restricted the transfer of Santhal land to non-Santhals.
The two measures were not introduced on the same day or through the same enactment. The administrative reorganisation occurred in 1855, while restrictions on land transfers developed and were strengthened through later settlement and tenancy regulations—particularly the Regulation of 1872 and its subsequent amendments.