Birsa Munda: The Tribal Freedom Fighter

Birsa Munda: The Tribal Freedom Fighter

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Birsa Munda: The Tribal Freedom Fighter”. This topic has relevance in the “History and Culture” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

Who was Birsa Munda?

What is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?

For Mains:

GS1:  History and Culture

Why in the news?

The Birth Anniversary of Birsa Munda was celebrated on 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas across the country.

 

Early Life and Background:

  • Birsa Munda, born on 15 November 1875 in the village of Ulihatu in the Ranchi district of Bengal Presidency (now in Khunti district of Jharkhand), was a significant Indian tribal independence activist and folk hero belonging to the Munda tribe.
  • Birsa Munda received his education in Salga under the guidance of his teacher, Jaipal Nag. He later converted to Christianity to join the German Mission School, but he dropped out when he learned that the British aimed to convert tribals to Christianity through education. 
  • After leaving school, he founded a faith called Birsait and attracted members of the Munda community to join this faith, which posed a challenge to British activities. 
  • The Birsaits openly declared that the real enemies were the British, not Christian Mundas.

 

Tribal Mass Movement:

  • Munda spearheaded an Indian tribal mass movement, rallying the tribals against forceful land grabbing orchestrated by the British government. 
  • This exploitative practice aimed to transform the tribals into bonded labourers, pushing them into abject poverty.
  • Struggle for Land Rights: Recognising the importance of land ownership, Birsa Munda inspired his people to resist the British government’s attempts to seize their lands and assert their rights.
  • Ulgulan – The Revolt: In 1894, as a reaction to the introduction of the Zamindari system and Permanent settlement in tribal areas, Birsa Munda declared “Ulgulan” or revolt against the British and the Dikus (outsiders).
  • Known as ‘Dharti Abba,‘ Birsa Munda stressed the importance of tribal people studying their religion while propagating principles of the Hindu religion.

 

Legacy and Impact:

  • Despite his young age, Birsa Munda’s struggle against the exploitation and discrimination of tribals had a lasting impact. 
  • The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, passed in 1908, was a significant blow against the British government, restricting land transfer from tribal people to non-tribals.

 

Recognition and Commemoration:

  • In recognition of his influence on the national movement, the state of Jharkhand was created on Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary in 2000. 
  • Additionally, November 15, commemorated as the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was declared ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas‘ by the Central Government in 2021.

 

Sources: PM Modi makes tribal push in Jharkhand; to visit Birsa Munda’s birthplace on November 15 – The Hindu 

Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 15th November 2023

Q1. With reference to Birsa Munda, consider the following statements: 

  1. He founded a faith called Birsait, which attracted members of the Munda community. 
  2. Birsa Munda declared “Ulgulan” against the British with the help of the Dikus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 

 

Q2. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (PYQ Civil Services Exam (Prelims) 2020)

(a) The Revolt of 1857

(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921

(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60

(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899 – 1900 

Answer: (d)

Q3. Discuss the Munda Ulgulan movement led by Birsa Munda as a significant tribal uprising during the Indian independence struggle.

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