Who Was Birsa Munda? The Tribal Hero Who Fought for Freedom and Justice

Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu in Jharkhand. He was a prominent tribal freedom fighter, religious leader, and folk hero from the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur Plateau and a great icon in resisting British colonial rule in India. His death anniversary falls on June 9, which is the day of his martyrdom in 1900, when he died at the very young age of 25 inside the prison.

Early Life and Education

Birsa Munda was born into a family facing poverty and hardship. His early education took place under the guidance of Jaipal Nag in Salga. Initially, he attended a German Mission School but left upon realizing that the British aimed to convert tribal people to Christianity through education. This experience led him to establish a new faith called Birsait, which encouraged tribal communities to return to their traditional beliefs and resist British influence.

Ulgulan Movement

Birsa Munda's activism reached its peak during the Ulgulan movement, or "Great Rebellion," between 1899 and 1900. This movement was a struggle to restore tribal rights in terms of land and resources against British authorities and local landlords (Dikus). He mobilized thousands of his tribal followers with an armed resistance that also included attacks on police stations and other government buildings. He particularly led an attack on the Khunti police station in August 1897, in which he showcased guerrilla warfare to challenge British forces.

Arrest and Death

His guerrilla army captured Birsa in the Jamkoipai forest on March 3, 1900. Birsa was kept in Ranchi Jail and died there on June 9, 1900. The death certificate said cholera was responsible for his death, but there are suspicions about how he died. His death was the first of several decisive turns the movement he inspired would take in the following years; the movement declined shortly afterward.

Legacy

However, the memory that Birsa Munda left behind is powerful and long-lasting. For the tribal communities of India, he is revered as Dharti Aaba or "Father of the Earth." Reforms brought by his effort incorporated recognition of the rights of tribal lands with a marked influence over the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908 designed to protect the rights against exploitation.

His birth anniversary is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in honor of contributions of such kinds made by the tribal communities of India. Many places and institutions bear his name, including Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi and several educational establishments. The story of his life inspires and inspires movements for indigenous rights and justice within India.

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