Birth anniversary of Birsa Munda: The leader, his contributions

As Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda announced recently, national and state-level programmes are being organised to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas from November 15 to 22. The government has also paid tributes to other pre-independence era tribal leaders recently, with the statue of Alluri Sitharama Raju inaugurated by the Prime Minister this year and new ‘tribal museums’ announced.

What was the situation of Jharkhand’s tribals in the 18th century?

The Munda tribe inhabited the Chota Nagpur region of today’s Jharkhand. When Birsa Munda was born in 1875, the British were attempting to establish control over and exploit forest lands, disrupting the tribal way of life. This was done in part by allying with local zamindars, who helped force the tribals into bonded labour.

A feudal zamindari system was introduced, destroying the tribal “Khuntkatti” agrarian and land ownership system that was more community-based. The Raj brought in outsiders — moneylenders and contractors, as well as feudal landlords — to aid them.

Munda’s family often struggled to make ends meet, and the circumstances were similar for other tribals in the region. Many revolts were witnessed, such as the Sardari Larai movement of the 1880s that demanded the restoration of tribal rights through non-violent methods. However, the colonial regime did not agree with the demands. The zamindari system soon heavily encroached on the tribals’ right to livelihood and land ownership.

What was the role Birsa Munda played?

Munda received his early education under the guidance of his teacher Jaipal Nag. Influenced by him, Birsa converted to Christianity in order to join the German Mission school. He, however, opted out of the school after a few years.

With the impact of British rule in the region, as well as the activities of Christian missionaries, many tribals became critical of the British and missionaries’ presence. From 1886 to 1890, Birsa Munda spent a large amount of time in Chaibasa, which was close to the centre of the Sardari agitation. The Sardars’ activities had a strong impact on him and he became a part of the anti-missionary and anti-government programmes. By the time he left Chaibasa in 1890, Birsa was strongly entrenched in the movement against the British oppression of the tribal communities.

Birsa soon emerged as a tribal leader who brought people together on fighting for these issues. He became a God-like figure, with him leading the faith of ‘Birsait’. Soon, members of the Munda and Oraon communities started joining the Birsait sect and it turned into a challenge to British conversion activities.

What was the Ulgulan movement?

The Ulgulan movement of 1899 also involved the use of weapons and guerrilla warfare to drive out foreigners. Munda encouraged the tribals to refuse following colonial laws and paying rent. He encouraged changes in the social sphere too, challenging religious practices to fight against superstition, and became known as ‘Bhagwan’ (God) and ‘Dharati Aba’ (Father of the earth) by his followers.

But the British were soon able to halt the movement. On March 3, 1900, Munda was arrested by the British police while he was sleeping with his tribal guerilla army at 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 his death, Birsa Munda is known to have paid a significant role in mobilising the tribal community against the British and forcing the colonial officials to introduce laws protecting the land rights of the tribals.