Ans. Reasons for the Santhal Rebellion: – Among the many reasons for the rebellion of the Santhals, some of the main reasons were as follows

(1) Land revenue (Rangel):- The forest and mountainous areas are given by the government to the Santhals to settle, and they worked hard. Suitable for settlement and agriculture. They considered their independent rights over this new area. Meanwhile, the government ordered the Santhals to deposit the land rent. Government servants started atrocities on them to collect revenue from the Santhals. At first, they suffered atrocities, but due to such exploitation and atrocities, they revolted for the first time in 1784 AD under the leadership of Baba Tilka Manjhi. Later there was also a Santhal rebellion under the leadership of Sidhu and Kanu.

(2) Atrocities of Zamindars:- Under the Permanent Settlement, the land was acquired by the Zamindars. The government also handed over the land of Santhal Pargana to the Zamindars. The zamindars started collecting the rent on that land. The employees or officers of the zamindar started collecting various types of illegal taxes from the Santhals in addition to the rent. Even along with the wealth of the Santhals, the honor of daughters-in-law could not be protected. The Santhals could not bear such exploitation and atrocities for a long time and revolt.

(3) Atrocities of contractors:- The contractor and merchant class emerged under British rule. Most of these contractors and traders were British. British contractors used to take the land of the Santhals on lease from the government. They used to do commercial farming on that land. They used to make laborers in those fields from the Santhals and did not even give them proper wages. They were tortured by British contractors for not doing the work.

(4) Atrocities of moneylenders: – Moneylenders and merchants also settled in the settlements of calm and innocent Santhals, who were very cunning and cunning. They used to buy the standing crops of the Santhals at a low price and sold the grains prepared from the same crops to them at high prices. The moneylenders used to give loans to the Santhals at the rate of 50 to 500 percent interest on marriages or special occasions. The interest or interest on the loan amount used to be so much that it was difficult to get rid of the debt. Under these circumstances, these moneylenders used to take possession of their animals or house property. The moneylenders started exploiting the Santhals. Thus the exploitation of these cunning moneylenders and traders filled the spirit of rebellion in the minds of the Santhals.

(5) Atrocities of blue whites:- Blue whites used to give advance amounts (dadan) to the Santhals and get them to write an agreement that they would give indigo in fixed quantity for a long period and at a fixed price. The price fixed by the blue whites was very low. Under these circumstances, the Santhals did not get any benefit from the cultivation of indigo. If the Santhali cultivated food grains, their standing crops were destroyed or when they were ready, they were set on fire. Peasants were subjected to atrocities in many ways. If these farmers went for justice against these blue whites, then the influence of blue whites lived in the courts and police department, they did not get justice anywhere but they would be tortured there too. Thus the spirit of rebellion arose among the Santhals, who were victims of exploitation and tyranny of the indigo merchants.

(6) Religious propaganda of Christian missionaries: – Christian missionaries started spreading Christianity by reaching the settlements of Santhals. They started converting the Santhals into Christians by luring them with money and then jobs. The Santhali were independent of their own culture from the very beginning. When they were not willing to convert voluntarily, they were forced to accept Christianity. Thus the Santhali got angry with the British in protest against the destruction of their religion and culture.

(7) Dissatisfaction in the judicial system:- The Santhals tried to seek justice in the courts against their atrocities and exploitation of them, but no one, whether it was the court or the police department, did not pay attention to their complaint. When the Santhals were left with no option to get justice, they set out to revolt.