DYFI Delhi commemorates the glorious legacy of the Santhal Rebellion. On this day in 1855, a massive Adivasi revolt took place. The Santhal people under the leadership of the Murmu brothers Seedho, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav fought against not only British colonial rule, but also+

the brutal feudal system. In many villages, peasants, milkmen and blacksmiths – many of whom were members of oppressed castes – joined the rebel forces and served justice to local tyrants. Armed with traditional weapons, the Santhal people bravely fought modern war machines of+

the British and defeated swathes of British troops with their bows and arrows.

The revolt, popularly known as "Hool" was brutally crushed by the unholy alliance of the colonisers and feudal elite. Feudal forces were instrumental in crushing the revolt and were the key allies+

of the British in doing so. The Nawab of Murshidabad supplied elephants in order to trample Santhal huts underfoot. Of the 60,000 Adivasis that participated in the revolt, 15,000 were martyred.+

We salute the heroic legacy of the Santhal Hool and the undying spirit of India's fighting people. We recognise that all feudal vestiges in India must be overcome for any real progress to occur.