Understanding the Term 'Dikus' Used by the Santhals

The question asks about the meaning of the term ‘Dikus’ as used by the Santhal community. This term holds significant historical and social context related to the interactions between the Santhals and outsiders during the colonial period in India.

Who are the Santhals?

The Santhals are a large tribal community primarily residing in states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam in India. Historically, they were agriculturalists living in forests and on plains, relying on land and forest resources. They have a rich culture and history, including instances of resistance against exploitation.

Meaning of 'Dikus'

The term 'Dikus' is a word used by the Santhals and other tribal groups to refer to outsiders, particularly those who came from outside their community and settled in their areas. However, the term often carried a negative connotation and specifically referred to those who exploited the tribal people and their resources. Let's look at the options provided to pinpoint the specific group the Santhals referred to as 'Dikus'.

• Fellow Santhals: This option is incorrect. 'Dikus' was a term for outsiders, not members of their own community.
• Peasants: While some 'Dikus' might have been peasants from outside the region, the term wasn't universally applied to all peasants. It was more specifically linked to exploitative roles.
• Money lenders: This is a key group that significantly exploited the Santhals. Money lenders (often along with landlords and traders from outside the community) would lend money at exorbitant interest rates, leading to the Santhals losing their land and falling into perpetual debt. They were seen as agents of economic oppression.
• Their god: This option is incorrect. 'Dikus' refers to people from outside the community, not a deity.

Historical records and accounts of the Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856) clearly indicate that the Santhals used the term 'Dikus' to refer to the outsiders, especially money lenders, landlords (zamindars), and colonial officials who encroached upon their land, imposed heavy taxes, and trapped them in debt. Among the options provided, 'Money lenders' most accurately represents a primary group that the Santhals referred to as 'Dikus' due to their exploitative practices.

Summary Table: Understanding 'Dikus'

Therefore, based on the historical context and the options given, the term ‘Dikus’ was used by the Santhals for money lenders, among other exploitative outsiders.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Additional Information: Santhal Exploitation and Resistance

The exploitation faced by the Santhals was multi-faceted. Money lenders would charge extremely high interest rates, making it impossible for Santhals to repay loans. This often led to generational debt. Landlords from outside the community would grab their land through unfair means. Traders would cheat them in market transactions. The colonial administration often sided with these 'Dikus', further marginalizing the Santhals.

This intense exploitation eventually culminated in the Santhal Rebellion of 1855-1856, led by leaders like Sidhu and Kanhu. The rebellion was a major uprising against the combined forces of the 'Dikus' (money lenders, landlords, traders) and the British East India Company's rule. While the rebellion was eventually suppressed, it forced the British to acknowledge the grievances of the Santhals and led to the creation of the Santhal Parganas, a separate administrative division with some protective laws for tribal land.

Understanding the term 'Dikus' is crucial to understanding the history of tribal resistance against colonial and outsider exploitation in India.