On November 15, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary, which is commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
Often considered the tribal warrior of Indian independence movement Birsa Munda was born in 1875 in Ulihatu, in the present-day state of Jharkhand. The Munda Rebellion, also called the Ulgulan, was led by him to combat the prejudice of the British. In his homage speech Prime Minister Modi pointed to extraordinary heroic actions made by Birsa Munda for the defence of honour and dignity of the motherland. He stressed on recalling what the tribal leaders of India have done for the freedom struggle of our country. The Prime Minister paid his respect to the victims and sent his cremation ceremony followed by visiting Jamui in Bihar where he launched infrastructure development programs for the upliftment of the standard of living of tribal population.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, which is celebrated across the country, gives a worthy reflection of the cultural wealth and the output of tribes of the country. On this day they get a chance to show their strength, power and perseverance in the face of adversity. In using such elements for Prime Minister to pay tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda clearly establishes that the government is ready to do justice to the tribal people and bring them into the right term and context worthy of the country.
Besides, on the state foundation day that also marks the birthday of Birsa Munda, PM Modi congratulated the people of Jharkhand. He wished the state to prosper and grow all the more and thanked the tribal people of Jharkhand for their contribution.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
As observed every year on the 15th of November, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas holds a pride place in India’s calendar to honour the cultural, martial and social tribals of the country. There is no better name to give this day than naming it after Birsa Munda, one of the bravest freedom fighters in India and who born on this day. Not only the birthday of Birsa Munda is celebrated through Janjatiya Gaurav Divas but at the same time, the struggles and achievements of all the tribes in the country have also been celebrated.
The Legacy of Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda born in 1875 in Ulihatu in today’s today Jharkhand, is best known for his role in the Munda rebellion often referred to as the Ulgulan. This revolt which occurred at the end of the 19th century was a rise against both the British imperialism as well as the regional unworthy feudalism. Birsa Munda led tribal clusters of the Chotanagpur Plateau and awakened a consciousness of identification in the tribals. His leadership demanded of “Adivasi Raj” (Rule of the Indigenous peoples of India) and his initiative to stop depredations on indigenous territories, Traditional customs led his followers to anoint him as Bhagwan (God). Even today the spirit of Birsa Munda the great tribal hero of Jharkhand stirs the tribal and non-tribal people in equal measure because he died at a young age of 25. He is honoured as a hero in fight against oppression and as a fighter for the rights and dignity of the tribes.
The observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas serves multiple purposes:
- Honouring Tribal Heroes: The day is observed and celebrated in remembrance of tribal leaders and other heroes including Birsa Munda in the fight for India’s independence, and in the protection of tribal rights and culture.
- Promoting Tribal Culture: Janjatiya Gaurav Divas gives a platform to rejoice about the Indian tribal community’s cultural values. To encourage and exhibit tribal music and dance, art and craft events and programs are conducted.
- Raising Awareness: According to the day, the tribes have social economic problems, displacement and other forms of marginalization that the day seeks to address. These difficulties explain why there is the importance of power policies and programs for the development of tribal populations.
- Recognizing Contributions: Janjatiya Gaurav Divas appreciates the tribal populace for their roles in the growth of the country. From their role in environmental conservation to their participation in the freedom struggle, the contributions of India's tribal communities are vast and varied.
Celebrations and Activities
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is observed through many activities and programs organized for the community nationwide. Some of the key highlights include:
- Tributes to Birsa Munda: Leaders, dignitaries, and citizens pay tributes to Birsa Munda at his memorials and statues. Ceremonial events and speeches highlight his life, achievements, and enduring legacy.
- Cultural Programs: Tribal music, dance, and art performances are arranged to promote the cultural and economic value of tribal culture. These occasions offer common opportunities for tribally talented artists and dancers to perform as well as present the tribes’ cultures.
- Educational Initiatives: Many schools and other centres of learning have formed special sessions where students are taught on the history, culture and achievements of the tribal people. Games and syllable and quiz are held to challenge the young generation’s creativity and awareness of tribal traditions.
- Community Engagement: Different government and non-government organization schemes and projects are implemented with a view to mitigate the social and economic problems of the tribals. The health camps, skill development workshops, awareness campaigns are organized for the cause and support of tribal groups.
- Government Initiatives: Tribal welfare and development policies and programmes are declared and launched by the government for the benefit of the tribal population. These principles are the areas that include education, healthcare, and livelihood as well as infrastructure development.
Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda, the freedom fighter was born on November 15, 1875, in the Ulihatu Village of present Jharkhand region of India. Birsa Munda became a legendary figure and, according to his followers, Bhagwan (God) Birsa’s life story has been inspiring people, especially tribal Indian people, up to the present time. His place in freeing India and his part in awakening the tribal population also makes this rather remarkable and perhaps necessary.
Early Life and Background
Chotanagpur plateau is a home to tribal people and Birsa Munda was born in a Munda family which forms a part of the bigger aching family. His ancestral profession was farming but like countless other tribal families they suffered exploitation under the British colonizers and Marwari landlords. The Mundas, the Adivasi tribe, suffered high rent pressures, forced labour and other types of exploitation that destabilized the traditional routines.
At some point early in the story, Birsa was almost displaying character of leadership and tenacity. He was privileged to go to German Mission School where he was initiated to western type of education and also taught Christianity. This, nevertheless, did not efface the tribal characteristics in Birsa, and consequently his further activity and leadership.
The Making of a Leader
The condition of tribal people was going through a transformation in the late 19th century and there were conflicts and Anglo Indian policies, and local landlord actions roused social unrest among the tribals who found their territories invaded, their cultures jeopardized. This is the social background in which Birsa Munda found a place for himself as a leader.
He had some visions and declared himself a man of God anointed to deliver the people. During this time, Birsa was also engaging his followers, teaching other about the repression of the tribal people, and calling for a revival of their indigenous civilization and tribal autonomy.
The Ulgulan Movement
The height of his leadership was achieved in the historic upheavals of the freedom fighters known as the Ulgulan movement major uprising by the Tribals against British colonialism and domination by landlords. The movement, which was initiated in 1899, was to decide the establishment of Munda Raj and to free the tribal people from the exploitation processes.
Birsa awakened the tribals with his leadership and compelled them not to accept British and landlords’ tyranny. He demanded the ending of Feudalism and supported the cause of tribals to get RIGHT to the land and its natural resources. The movement of Ulgulan witnessed few more encounters between Birsa’s followers and the British authority, which explained the spirit of the so called tribal.
Legacy and Impact
In custody of the British, Birsa Munda could not live long and he died on June 9, 1900, due to the effects of torture a young man of 25 years. Birsa may have died an early death but his dreams did not die with him. The Ulgulan under his leadership is a historic part of the tribal resistance in India. The Ulgulan movement saw several confrontations between Birsa's followers and the British forces, highlighting the resilience and determination of the tribal people.
Tribal Mobility in the Indian Territory during the Nineteenth Century
Late nineteenth century was perhaps one of the most disturbed periods in terms of tribal revolt in India, wherein many tribal movements rose against British imperialism as well as local domination. These movements were as a result of their need to safeguard their lands, and maintain their tribal and ethnic differentiation so as to resist hard-line policies.
Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856)
Santhal uprising also called Santhal Hool was one of the earliest and the biggest tribal uprising against British. The Santhals an aboriginal tribe from the area of present day Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha revolted against the British East India Company and the local landlords or Zamindars. There were two leaders who fought for the Santhals: Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu who rally thousands of the Santhals into rebellion to fight for their freedom and rights.
Their grievances were high rents, forced labour, and most of all the depletion of their hereditary lands by other people. The Santhals fought bravely against the British soldiers, as it was stated, several thousands of Santhals were killed. While it was put down, it served to bring out latent dissatisfaction of the tribal population and their preparedness to revolt against unfair treatment.
Kol Rebellion (1831-1832)
It is famously known as Kol Mutiny. The ‘Kol,’ a tribal community living in Chotanagpur area particularly in present day Jharkhand, rise against the colonial rule of the British East India Company and the local land lords. The rebellion was headed by a tribal leader Buddhu bhagat who called the kols for freedom fight against discrimination.
The grievances of the Kols were to do with new taxes, injustice in the form of forced labour and being displaced from their ancestral homes. It was characterised by what could be described more as a kind of skirmishing between the Kols and the British armed forces where Kol people suffered heavy losses. However rebellions as that were suppressed show the strength and the determination of tribal people to fight exploitation and safeguard their identity.
Rampa Rebellion (1879-1880)
The Rampa Rebellion also known as Rampa Uprising was a tribal uprising headed by a tribesman Alluri Sitarama Raju in the present day Andhra Pradesh. This meant that the rebellion was as a result of worsening of the already bad conditions of the general populace by the British colonial masters through imposing new taxes, forced labour, and liberal exploitation of tribal territories.
Alluri inspired the tribal people of the Rampa area against the mighty British army. Some of the common features of the rebellion included: The tribal force engaged in guerrilla warfare, and the weapons used were traditional weapons in possession of the fighters and the surroundings. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, it highlighted the deep-seated discontent among tribal communities and their willingness to resist exploitation.