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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

On Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, let’s celebrate his fight for dignity

Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

Introduction

Birsa Munda and the larger Janjatiya movement occupy a central position in India’s social-political evolution. From colonial-era uprisings to modern state-led empowerment measures, tribal struggles reveal a continuous assertion of identity, land rights, cultural autonomy, and equitable development. The government’s recent initiatives, including the celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, PM-Janman Mission, tribal-focused infrastructure schemes, and protection of cultural heritage, highlight a renewed emphasis on integrating tribal communities into mainstream governance without erasing their distinctiveness.

Why in the news?

Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary gains special significance as India concludes the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Janjatiya icons during Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (2021-2024), a landmark recognition of tribal heritage at a national scale. For the first time, tribal leaders and movements are commemorated through a dedicated national day (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas), signalling a major shift from historical marginalisation to mainstream acknowledgment. This comes at a moment when tribal communities, once isolated, are transitioning toward empowered participation through new missions, infrastructure investments, and cultural revival measures highlighted in the article.

How has the tribal freedom movement shaped India’s socio-political fabric?

  1. Historical Resistance: Tribal communities led sustained struggles against British colonial rule, moneylenders, and local landlords. Example: Movements led by Tilka Manjhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Sidhu-Kanhu, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Tantia Bhil.
  2. Collective Assertion: Demonstrated that tribal revolts were not isolated incidents but powerful collective responses to exploitation.
  3. Cultural Protection: Defended land, culture, and dignity from systemic oppression, shaping India’s early political consciousness.

Why is Birsa Munda a central figure in Janjatiya consciousness?

  1. Symbol of Dignity: Led the Ulgulan movement, highlighting tribal rights, cultural identity, and fight against colonial injustice.
  2. National Recognition: 2021 decision by the Prime Minister to commemorate his birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
    1. Significance: First national-level day dedicated to tribal heritage.
  3. Political Legacy: Birsa Munda’s region later inspired the creation of separate states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, strengthening administrative representation for tribal communities.

How have recent government initiatives enhanced tribal empowerment?

  1. PM-JANMAN Mission:
    1. Holistic Development: Transforms marginalised tribal communities from welfare-oriented to empowerment-oriented.
    2. Targeted Delivery: Implemented across 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
    3. Infrastructure: Houses, roads, electricity, drinking water, health, and education.
  2. Dhani Aaba Janjatiya Gaurav Ashram Abhiyan:
    1. Community Spaces: Creates structured social and economic development hubs.
    2. Outcome: Strengthens village-level institutions.
  3. EMRS Expansion:
    1. Educational Access: 728 Eklavya Model Residential Schools sanctioned; 479 operational.
    2. Impact: Bridges educational inequities for tribal children.
  4. Tribal Business Conclave:
    1. Market Linkages: Enhances geotagging of tribal products and economic inclusion.

How has political leadership supported Janjatiya reforms?

  1. Representation in Governance: Continuous policy focus on tribal welfare
  2. Heritage Recognition:
    • Museums: Ten freedom fighter museums sanctioned; four inaugurated. These recognise tribal contributions to the freedom struggle.
  3. Prime Minister’s Visit to Ulihatu: First Prime Minister to visit Birsa Munda’s birthplace, underscoring symbolic national acknowledgment.

How are tribal communities moving from isolation to mainstream participation?

  1. Governance Inclusion: Tribal affairs institutionalised via a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  2. Economic Upliftment: PM-JANMAN and other schemes ensure roads, schools, livelihood support, and market integration.
  3. Cultural Revival: Celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh fosters awareness of tribal culture across generations.

Conclusion

Birsa Munda’s legacy is not confined to the past; it continues to shape India’s pursuit of justice, dignity, and equitable development for tribal communities. As the nation celebrates Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and strengthens missions like PM-JANMAN, the shift from historic marginalisation to institutional empowerment marks a significant transformation in India’s democratic evolution.

Value Addition

Who was Birsa Munda?

Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was a revolutionary tribal leader, spiritual reformer, and social mobiliser belonging to the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur plateau. Revered as Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth), he transformed scattered tribal discontent into a structured political uprising.

Which Rebellion Was He Part Of?

Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), 1899-1900

The Ulgulan was the Munda Rebellion led by Birsa Munda against British colonial rule, zamindari oppression, and missionary cultural domination.

Area of the Movement

  • Entire Chotanagpur region covering
    • Ranchi
    • Singhbhum
    • Gumla
    • Khunti
    • Tamar
    • Sarwada
  • Present-day Jharkhand

This area was historically inhabited by the Munda, Oraon, Ho, and Santhal tribes, but Birsa’s core following was from the Munda tribe.

Why did the Ulgulan Revolt Erupt? (Major Reasons)

  1. Land Alienation
    1. Zamindars, moneylenders, and British policies dispossessed Mundas from their traditional khuntkatti lands.
    2. Outsiders (dikus) seized land through taxation, debt, and fraudulent contracts.
  2. Exploitative Agrarian System
    1. Beth-begari (forced labour) imposed by landlords.
    2. High rent, illegal levies, and bonded labour.
  3. Colonial Forest Policies
    1. British restrictions on shifting cultivation, forest access, forest produce, and grazing rights.
  4. Cultural Domination
    1. Missionary influence attempted to alter tribal culture and traditional faith.
    2. Birsa’s movement demanded revival of tribal dharma.
  5. Social Reform and Purification
    1. Birsa preached reform against alcohol, superstition, and internal divisions.
  6. Political Awakening
    1. The community believed Birsa would restore a Golden Age (Sat-Yug) by driving away dikus.
    2. This turned Ulgulan into a millenarian and political movement

Nature and Features of Ulgulan

  1. Millenarian Movement: Promised liberation and restoration of Munda rule.
  2. Cultural Revival: Emphasised indigenous identity and autonomy.
  3. Armed Resistance: Attacked police stations, zamindars, and Christian mission institutions.
  4. Political Assertion: First organised tribal movement with a coherent ideology.
  5. Mass Mobilisation: Unified thousands of tribal households across Chotanagpur.

Demands of the Munda Rebellion

  1. Restoration of traditional khuntkatti land rights.
  2. End to forced labour and exploitative tenancy.
  3. Freedom from missionary domination.
  4. Recognition of tribal self-rule.
  5. Expulsion of dikus from tribal land.

Immediate Result of the Movement

  1. Birsa was arrested in March 1900, imprisoned, and died in Ranchi jail (June 1900).
  2. The rebellion was militarily suppressed by the British.

Long-Term Outcomes & Legacy

  1. CNT Act, 1908
    1. Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) restricted transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
    2. Institutionalised protection of tribal land rights.
  2. Rise of Tribal Political Consciousness: Ulgulan transformed tribal resistance from sporadic revolts to a structured political assertion.
  3. Cultural Assertion: Revived pride in tribal identity, customs, and autonomy.
  4. Administrative Reforms: Better regulation of zamindari and recognition of tribal customary laws.
  5. Modern Legacy:
    1. Birsa Munda remains a symbol of indigenous rights.
    2. His legacy contributed to the demand for Jharkhand statehood (2000).
    3. Celebrated annually as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas since 2021.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] How did colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to colonial oppression?

Linkage: The PYQ is relevant as colonial exploitation of land, forests, and culture sparked major tribal revolts like Ulgulan. The article links directly by showing Birsa Munda’s movement as a prime example of tribal resistance to colonial oppression.

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