IN SHORT
- Hool Diwas is celebrated on June 30 every year.
- It commemorates the Santhal rebellion of 1855.
- Led by Sidhu and Kanhu, the rebellion was a significant uprising against British rule.
- The rebellion started in Bhognadih village in present-day Sahibganj district.
- The Santhals declared “Do or die, leave our land” against the British.
- More than 50,000 people from 400 villages participated.
- The rebellion faced brutal suppression by the British.
- Sidhu and Kanhu were executed on July 26, 1855.The day honors the sacrifice of around 20,000 people.
What is Hool Diwas?
On June 30, Hool Diwas is observed to remember the 1855 Santhal revolt. In Santhali, the term “Hool” denotes rebellion. The Santhal tribesmen who battled against British colonial control are remembered on this day for their sacrifice and effort.
The First Fight for Independence
The Santhal rebellion occurred two years before the 1857 rebellion, which is frequently seen as the start of the Indian independence movement. From Bhognadih village in the modern-day Sahibganj district, the Santhals launched a rebellion against the British on June 30, 1855, led by Sidhu and Kanhu. Their motto, “Do or die, leave our land,” symbolized their will to free their country from British rule and served as their rallying cry.
The Meaning of Hool
“Hool” is the Santhali word for revolt. More than 50,000 people from 400 villages took part in the 1855 rebellion, which was a significant act of resistance against British control. The Santhals said that they would not be paying taxes and that the British should leave their territory.
The Fierce Opposition by the Santhals
The Santhals strongly opposed the soldiers and landlords of the British government throughout the uprising. The British responded by taking drastic steps to put an end to the rebellion. After capture, Sidhu and Kanhu were put to death by hanging on July 26, 1855, in the village of Bhognadih. The final sacrifice made on this day by almost 20,000 rebels makes it memorable.
Legacy and Commemoration
Every year on June 30, Hool Diwas is celebrated to remember the bravery and selflessness of the Santhals. This day honors their heroic struggle and the high cost they paid to gain independence, which came before the more well-known uprising of 1857.
READ ALSO : International Day of the Tropics 2024: Significance, History, and Observances
About the Author
