Siddo & Kanho: The Tribal Brothers Who Shook the British Empire

 Siddo & Kanho: The Tribal Brothers Who Shook the British Empire

Names: Siddo Murmu & Kanho Murmu

Born: Early 19th century

Tribe: Santhal

Rebellion: Santhal Hul (1855-1856)

Died: July 1855 (Siddo), 1856 (Kanho)

Legacy: Leaders of India’s first organized tribal rebellion against British rule

Introduction: The Warriors of the Santhal Uprising

Siddo and Kanho Murmu were not just freedom fighters; they were revolutionary icons who led one of the most powerful tribal uprisings in Indian history—the Santhal Rebellion of 1855-56 (Santhal Hul).

At a time when British officers, landlords (zamindars), and moneylenders exploited and enslaved the Santhal tribe, these two brothers stood up, raising an army of thousands to challenge British oppression. Their revolt, though brutally crushed, became a symbol of tribal resistance and pride, inspiring future struggles for independence.

Early Life: Born to Lead

Siddo and Kanho Murmu were born in a Santhal tribal family in Bhognadih (now in Jharkhand). Raised in a deeply spiritual and warrior-like culture, they grew up seeing their people suffer under British rule, where:

❌ Santhals lost their lands to British-backed landlords.

❌ They were forced into bonded labor by corrupt moneylenders.

❌ They faced heavy taxation that pushed them into extreme poverty.

Despite the hardships, Siddo and Kanho emerged as natural leaders, deeply respected in their community. Their bravery, wisdom, and commitment to justice made them the perfect figures to lead a rebellion.

The Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856): A War for Freedom

By the mid-1850s, Santhals had had enough of British exploitation. Siddo and Kanho, along with their brothers Chand and Bhairav, decided to organize a mass uprising. On June 30, 1855, they gathered over 10,000 Santhals in Bhognadih and declared:

"We Santhals are free. We will no longer pay taxes to the British or obey their landlords!"

This marked the beginning of the Santhal Hul (Santhal Rebellion).

How the Rebellion Unfolded:

⚔️ Attacks on British officials and landlords: Santhal warriors began driving out corrupt zamindars and colonial officers.

⚔️ Guerrilla warfare: Using their knowledge of forests, the rebels launched surprise attacks on British camps.

⚔️ Mass tribal uprising: The rebellion spread across present-day Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, shaking the British Empire.

The British were caught completely off guard—they had never seen such an organized and fearless tribal revolt before.

The British Counterattack & The Martyrdom of Siddo-Kanho

Realizing the seriousness of the rebellion, the British responded with brutal force. They:

❌ Declared martial law in Santhal regions.

❌ Sent 10,000 heavily armed soldiers with modern weapons.

❌ Burned down villages, massacred thousands of Santhals, and arrested leaders.

In July 1855, Siddo Murmu was captured and publicly executed by the British in a brutal attempt to break the rebellion’s spirit. But Kanho Murmu continued the fight, carrying forward the revolution.

By 1856, the rebellion was completely crushed, and Kanho was also killed. However, their deaths did not mark an end—it became a new beginning for India’s tribal resistance.

Legacy: The Immortal Warriors of Jharkhand

Siddo and Kanho’s rebellion might have been suppressed, but their fearless fight inspired generations. Their legacy lives on in:

✔ Jharkhand’s Identity: The Santhal Hul is a major part of Jharkhand’s cultural and historical pride.

✔ Santhal Pargana Formation: Their struggle led to the creation of a separate administrative division for Santhals.

✔ Statues and Memorials: Across Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal, Siddo and Kanho’s statues stand as a reminder of their sacrifice.

✔ June 30 - Santhal Hul Diwas: Celebrated every year to honor their uprising.

Conclusion: The Unfinished Revolution

Siddo and Kanho Murmu may have died, but their spirit of resistance never faded. They proved that even an oppressed tribal community could challenge the world’s most powerful empire. Their rebellion paved the way for future independence movements and remains a powerful symbol of freedom, justice, and indigen

ous pride.

They were not just warriors—they were legends. And legends never die.