Abstract

The Santals are one of the most prominent tribal groups in India, ranking as the third-largest tribal community after the Bhil and Gond tribes. They are distributed across a vast region, primarily in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam. During British colonial rule, the Santals were largely excluded from mainstream socio-political developments. Christian missionaries were active in certain areas, converting some Santals to Christianity. Following the Santal rebellion of 1855 and increased awareness of their social life, British authorities gained a greater understanding of the Santali language, folk literature, and cultural practices. A significant milestone for the Santali language occurred in December 2013, when the University Grants Commission (UGC) included Santali in the National Eligibility Test (NET) for recruiting faculty in Santali language and literature at colleges and universities. Currently, numerous universities and colleges across India offer Santali literature as a distinct academic subject. Contemporary written Santali literature, which echoes the traditional sentiments of its folk origins, is being produced and disseminated through various magazines published by educated members of the Santal community. Against this backdrop, the present study examines the development of Santal literature in its various forms from 1885 to 1960. Today, Santali literature encompasses far more than collections of folk stories or songs; it has become a rich literary tradition that attracts global scholarly attention. The unique qualities of Santali literature, characterized by its moral depth and literary merit, are highly valued by both literary enthusiasts and the Santal community.