Question

Note how the Santhals are depicted in the 1856 sketch Fig. drawn from an artist’s imagination: observe their complexion, dress, weapons and draw your conclusions as regards the image this depiction would create in the popular mind in Britain.

Answer 1

In this 1856 sketch, the Santhals are portrayed as dark-skinned, wearing very little clothing and carrying traditional bows and arrows. They are shown as wild, primitive, and violent, fighting British soldiers with their handmade weapons. Since the image was drawn from imagination, it likely created a negative and frightening impression of the Santhals in the minds of the British public, presenting them as uncivilised savages rather than people protesting against injustice. This portrayal helped justify British rule as a “civilising mission” while hiding the real causes of tribal uprisings, such as exploitation and loss of land.