Describe the causes and course of the Santhal rebellion of 1855 to 1857.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open in one line. The Santhal rebellion (1855 to 1857) was a tribal rising in Daman-i-Koh against British officials, zamindars and moneylenders.
2 · Point 1: peaceful life disturbed. The Santhals farmed their forest land peacefully until British officials brought in traders, moneylenders, zamindars and merchants.
3 · Point 2: the debt trap. Goods sold on credit had to be repaid at harvest with heavy interest, so Santhals lost their crops, ploughs, bullocks and land.
4 · Point 3: bonded labour. Many became bonded labourers who could serve only their creditors.
5 · Point 4: leaders and the rising. Led by Sidhu and Kanu, they took up bows and arrows, burnt moneylenders' account books and government buildings, and declared their own rule.
6 · Point 5: suppression and result. British troops crushed the rising with great loss of life, and the Santhal Pargana was made a separate district.
7 · Close in one line. Though defeated, the Santhals showed how deeply tribals resented colonial exploitation.
Scoring tip: Name Sidhu and Kanu and Daman-i-Koh early, then give one point per sentence. Six clear points earn six marks.
