The Colonial Missionaries in Santal Parganas

In Search of Changing World of the Santals in aftermath of Hul

Abstract

The formation of Santal Parganas District amidst the Santal Hul
(1855-56) was the most impactful event for the Santals in particular,
and Adivasis in general, of colonial eastern India. The new district
was a symbolic recognition of their community based distinguished
identity. The district was also considered as a safeguard for the Santals
from the Dikus (Non-Adivasis). Eventually, there were many Christian
missionaries who appeared and settled in Santal Parganas with the
direct encouragement from the colonial authority and introduced
well-planned services for the aboriginals to fulfil their open-secret
agenda. These Missionaries had worked among the Santals in such
a way that gave them the confidence for long interactions and
reconciliation. Undoubtedly, the Missionaries had played a crucial
role in the changing socio-economic and cultural pattern of the
Santals. The present paper intends to argue that some positive
changes occurred among the Santals due to missionary activities
and also many Missionaries devoted themselves to the cause of their
socio-cultural development. But at the end of the day, they were part
of colonialism and they had some negative impact on the Santal
world. Further, these missionaries succeeded to affect the Santals in
many ways through conversion, but at the same time Santals had
remained intact and conversion did not lead them to forget their
traditional socio-cultural traits.