'Santhal Rebellion of 1855-56 was a sharp reaction against exploitation.' Explain.

Santhal Rebellion of 1855–56: A Fierce Reaction Against Colonial & Feudal Exploitation:

Spearheaded by four brothers—Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav Murmu—in the Damin-i-Koh region (Rajmahal Hills of Jharkhand/Bihar), the Santhal Hul (1855–56) was a powerful mass peasant-tribal armed insurrection:

• 1. Roots of Severe Exploitation:
  • Alienation of Ancestral Forest Land: Santhals cleared dense forests to create arable land, which was fraudulently seized by British revenue authorities and handed over to non-tribal Zamindars.
  • Predatory Usury by Moneylenders (Mahajans/Dikus): Extortionate interest rates (50% to 500%) trapped illiterate tribals in hereditary bonded labor (Kamiya/Harwahi system).
  • Police and Railway Contractor Atrocities: Extortion, physical abuse, and forced labor during the construction of the East Indian Railway line.
• 2. The Armed Outburst and Outcome:
  • Over 60,000 Santhals mobilized on 30 June 1855, declaring independent Santhal Raj; targeted British courts, police stations, and moneylenders with bows and axes before being brutally crushed by martial law.
  • Led the British to carve out the separate Santhal Parganas district and enact the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act (SPT Act) prohibiting tribal land transfer.