Santal Parganas district
The Sonthal Parganas district, also known as Santal Parganas district, was created as a separate administrative division following the Santal uprising of 1855-56, which exposed the oppression faced by the Santals and prompted British reforms. The establishment of the district was formalized under the Sonthal Parganas Act, Act 37 of 1855.
History
Background
The Santals originally inhabited the region from Hazaribagh to Medinipur, farming along the Subarnarekha River. Following the 1770 Bengal famine, the demand for agricultural land prompted their migration. In 1832, the British designated Damin-i-koh for settlement, initially offering it to the Paharia tribe, who refused. The Santals, migrating from Dhalbhum, Manbhum, Hazaribagh, and Midnapore, rapidly increased in population, from 3,000 in 1838 to 82,790 in 1851.James Pontet was assigned in 1837 to manage Damin-i-koh for revenue generation, but tensions grew as the Santals resisted outsiders, including exploitative moneylenders and landlords. The construction of a railway further disrupted their livelihood. By the 1850s, resentment grew due to the oppressive revenue system and British-backed landlords.
In 1855, the Santal Rebellion erupted, with the rebels capturing Barhait and achieving an early victory at Pirpainti. British officials George Francis Brown and Major F. W. Burroughs responded by declaring martial law. Brown was later criticized for procedural errors, while Burroughs led the British forces. The British then appointed Alfred Clarke Bidwell to suppress the rebellion. Despite fierce resistance, the Santals were defeated, with thousands killed. Bidwell blamed Pontet for neglecting the settlers, and the rebellion exposed the exploitation of the Santals, leading to British reforms.
Established
The Sonthal Parganas Act, Act 37 of 1855, led to the creation of Santal Parganas as a non-regulation district under Bhagalpur’s jurisdiction. The region was administered by a Deputy Commissioner stationed in Dumka, who was assisted by other officials. This administrative structure was modeled after the South-West Frontier Agency of Chota Nagpur. Covering 5,470 square miles, it was bordered by Bhagalpur, Purnea, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bardwan, Manbhum, Hazaribagh, and Monghyr. The district aimed to address Santal grievances while reinforcing British control.Before the creation of Santal Parganas district, its northern half was part of Bhagalpur district, while the southern and western regions were under Birbhum district. The British referred to this region as Jungleterry after assuming Diwani in 1765.