Birsa Munda

• 26 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the Jail Museum in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on 25th May 2025 and paid tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda.  

• The visit aimed to honor Munda’s contribution to tribal rights and cultural heritage. 

Key Points 

• About: Birsa Munda was a tribal freedom fighter, religious reformer, and folk hero, who played a key role in tribal resistance against British rule in India. 
  • Early Life: 
    • Birth: Born in Ulihatu on 15th November 1875, now in Jharkhand's Khunti district, to a poor sharecropper (sajhadar) family. 
    • Community: Belonged to the Munda tribe, a major Adivasi community of the Chotanagpur plateau. 
    • Early Name: Daud Munda, after his father briefly converted to Christianity. 
  • Education and Early Influences: 
    • Attended local schools under the guidance of Jaipal Nag. 
    • Studied at a missionary school and later at BEL school in Chaibasa for four years. 
    • Was influenced by Christianity but later rejected it due to cultural and religious differences. 
    • Influenced by Vaishnavism and Anand Panre (a munshi), leading him to form his own spiritual sect. 
    • Became known as Bhagwan (God) by his followers and founded the Birsait sect. 
    • He is lovingly called "Dharti Aaba" (Father of the Earth) by his followers. 
  • Beliefs and Teachings: 
    • Promoted monotheism through the worship of Singhbonga, a tribal deity. 
    • He campaigned against alcoholism, belief in black magic and superstitions, and forced labour (beth begari). 
    • Encouraged clean living, hygiene, and spiritual unity. 
    • Taught pride in tribal culture and community land ownership. 
  • Resistance Against Colonial Injustice: 
    • British land policies destroyed the Khuntkatti land system, where land was communally owned. 
    • Zamindars and thikadars (middlemen) began exploiting tribals, turning many into bonded labourers. 
    • Birsa educated his people about these injustices and urged them to reclaim their rights. 
• The Ulgulan (Great Rebellion): 
  • Causes of the Uprising: 
    • Loss of land, economic hardship, forest alienation, and cultural erosion pushed Birsa to act. 
    • Gave the call for Ulgulan (rebellion) and urged tribals to stop paying rent. 
    • Slogan of Resistance: “Abua raj ete jana, maharani raj tundu jana” (Let the queen’s rule end, and our rule begin). 
  • Course of Revolt: 
    • The revolt began in 1895 as a response to land encroachment and forced labour policies imposed by the British Raj. 
    • In 1895, Birsa Munda was arrested on charges of rioting and jailed for two years. 
    • After his release in 1897, he resumed his efforts, moving village to village to gather support and promote the vision of a tribal-led kingdom. 
    • Birsa Munda died of cholera in 1900, marking the end of the active phase of the revolt. 
  • Aftermath and Legacy: 
    • In 1908, the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed: 
      • Banned land transfers from tribals to non-tribals. 
      • Recognized Khuntkatti rights. 
      • Banned beth begari (forced labour). 
    • Honouring Birsa Munda: 
      • Since 2021, 15 November is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day). 
      • He is remembered as a brave leader, spiritual guide, and visionary. 
      • Despite dying young, he showed great strategy, courage, and leadership.