Birsa Munda, also known as Bhagwan Birsa Munda, an emblematic figure in Indian history, was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu, a small village in what is now Jharkhand, India.
The Mundas, a tribe of nomadic-hunters-turned-farmers who lived in the Chotanagpur region in today’s Jharkhand, had to bear the brunt of a series of adverse policies and events of Britishers.
His life and legacy are inextricably tied to the struggle for tribal rights and the fight against British colonial oppression in India.
Why in the news?
November 15 marks the 150th birth anniversary of the tribal icon Birsa Munda, which is celebrated as “Janjatiya Gaurav Divas” to honour the contributions of the tribal freedom fighters.
Known as “Dharti Aba” (“Father of the Earth”), Birsa organised the “Ulgulan” or the Munda Rebellion against British oppression in the late 1890s.
On his birth anniversary, the Sarai Kale Khan Chowk of Delhi was renamed ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chowk’.
Points to be noted
The Permanent Settlement Act, enacted in 1793, transformed the traditional land structure of the Munda tribes. It led to the abolition of the “khuntkatti” system and the transfer of real ownership of land to Zamindars, who were viewed by the tribes as outsiders or “dikus. ”
Khuntkatti system
It is a system of land ownership practised by Mundas of Chotanagpur which provides ownership of land among all the families of the same clan, who cleared the forest and made land cultivable, without the involvement of landlords.
3Compounding the problem for the community was a range of other debilitating policies, including the exploitation of tribal people through the “begar” system of forced labour, the forced dependence on money lenders for credit, and the replacement of traditional clan councils with courts. To cap it all, the onset of famines in 1896-97 and 1899-1900 resulted in mass starvation.
Munda soon emerged as a tribal leader who brought people together to fight for anti-missionary and anti-colonial causes.
He founded his own religion, known as Birsait, and was referred to as ‘Bhagwan’ (God) and ‘Dharti ka Abba’ (father of the earth) by his followers.
Birsa Munda launched the Ulgulan movement (Munda rebellion) in 1899, using weapons and guerrilla warfare to drive out foreigners. He encouraged the tribals to follow the Birsa Raj and not comply with colonial laws and rent payments.
It was one of the most organised and widespread tribal revolts, with clear objectives: to overthrow the British government, expel outsiders from the region, and establish an independent Munda state.
However, the British were soon able to halt the movement through the superior strength of their forces. On March 3, 1900, Munda was arrested by the British police while he was sleeping along with his tribal guerilla army at the Jamkopai forest in Chakradharpur.
It is believed he died in Ranchi Jail due to an illness on June 9, 1900, at the young age of 25. Though he lived a short life and the movement died out soon after him, Birsa Munda’s mobilisation of the tribal community to protect their land rights was remarkable, being one of the earliest such attempts.
The movement also contributed to the government’s repeal of the begar system and led to the Tenancy Act (1903) which recognised the khuntkhatti system. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) later banned the passage of tribal land to non-tribal folks.
Other Tribal Rebellions
Dhal Revolt: The first tribal revolt during British rule in Jharkhand was the Dhal Revolt in 1767, led by Jagannath Dhal, the former king of Dhalbhum, a part of West Bengal today.
Triggered by the presence of the British East India Company that marginalised the local population, this revolt lasted 10 years. In response to the ongoing unrest, the British reinstated Jagannath Dhal as the ruler of Dhalbhum in 1777.
Tana Bhagat Movement: It began in 1914 by Jatra Bhagat, a leader of the Oraon tribe. He called for a return to traditional practices, rejecting colonial rule and Western influences.
Bhagat highlighted agrarian issues and initiated a no-rent campaign, urging labourers to refuse forced or low-wage work.
Santhal Rebellion: On June 30, 1855, over 10,000 Santhals were mobilised by their leaders — Kanho Murmu, Chand Murmu, Bhairab Murmu, and Sidho Murmu – to revolt against the East India Company over oppression by revenue officials, zamindars, and corrupt moneylenders.
The landmark event in tribal history, referred to as Santhal Hul, took place in Bhognadih village in present-day Jharkhand.
Paika Rebellion: In several recent descriptions, the 1817 Paika Rebellion in Odisha’s Khurda is referred to as the “original” first war of Indian Independence.
That year, the Paikas – a class of military retainers traditionally recruited by the kings of Odisha – revolted against the British colonial rulers mainly over being dispossessed of their land holdings.
Kol Revolt: The Kols, tribal people from the Chhota Nagpur area, rose in revolt against the British in 1831. The trigger here too was the gradual takeover of tribal land and property by non-tribal settlers who were aided by new land laws.
The simmering discontent over the economic exploitation of the original inhabitants led to an uprising led by Buddhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, and Madara Mahato among others. The Kols were joined by other tribes like the Hos, Mundas, and Oraons.