Santhal Community
The Santhals are among the largest Scheduled Tribe groups in India, belonging to the Austroasiatic language family. They are concentrated in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar, and speak Santhali, which is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (added by the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003). Historically, the Santhal Rebellion of 1855–56 — led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu — was a major anti-colonial uprising that predated the 1857 revolt and remains a foundational event in India's tribal history.
- Santhali is one of 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule; its inclusion followed decades of advocacy.
- The 92nd Amendment (2003) added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the Eighth Schedule.
- Santhal leaders are an important symbol in the narrative of tribal resistance to colonial and feudal exploitation.
- President Droupadi Murmu, India's first tribal President (elected 2022), herself belongs to the Santhal community from Odisha.
● Tracked since March 07, 2026 · last seen March 07, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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