Sidhu Kanhu

Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu were the leader of the Santhal rebellion (1855–1856), the native rebellion in present-day Jharkhand in eastern India against both the British colonial authority and the corrupt upper caste zamindari system.^[1]

On 30 June 1855, two Santal rebel leaders, Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu (related as brother) along with Chand and Bairab,^[2] mobilized about 10,000 Santals and declared a rebellion against British colonists.^[3] 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 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. Thereafter, attacking every village of the Santals, they made sure that the last drop of revolutionary spirit was annihilated. Although the revolution was brutally suppressed, it marked a great change in the colonial rule and policy. The day is still celebrated among the Santal community with great respect and spirit for the thousands of the Santal martyrs who sacrificed their lives along with their two celebrated leaders to win independence from the rule of the Jamindars and the British operatives.^[4] un suthu is the famous dialog by sindhu and un punda is the famous dialog by kanhu

Sido Kanhu Murmu University is named upon them. Indian post also issued a ₹ 4 stamp in 2002 honouring them.^[5]

References

1. "Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu". incrediblejharkhand.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
2. Richard Gott (2012). Britain's Empire: Resistance, Repression and Revolt. Verso. ISBN 978-1844670673.
3. Sailendra Nath Sen (2010). An Advanced History of Modern India. Macmillan. p. 120. ISBN 9780230328853.
4. Social Science. Social Science History Association. p. 29.
5. "Stamps 2002". indiapost.gov.in. Retrieved 19 April 2014.

Kanhu Murmu, along with his brother Sido Murmu, was the leader of the Santhal rebellion, the native rebellion in present-day Jharkhand in eastern India against both the British colonial authority and the corrupt upper caste zamindari system.