Brief Context
In News 15 November is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, commemorating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda He was born in 1874 in Ulihatu village, Jharkhand and was a spiritual reformer and freedom fighter. He is Known as Dharti Aaba (“Father of the Earth”).
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Syllabus: GS1/History
In News
- 15 November is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, commemorating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
- The Government designated this day as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021.
Birsa Munda
- He was born in 1874 in Ulihatu village, Jharkhand and was a spiritual reformer and freedom fighter. He is Known as Dharti Aaba (“Father of the Earth”).
- He led the Ulgulan or “Great Tumult” (1899–1900) (also called Munda Rebellion (1895–1900)) which was a fierce movement for tribal self-rule and the restoration of Khuntkatti (community land rights).
- He united the Munda tribes against British land laws and feudal exploitation.
- He envisioned a moral, self-governed society free from colonial influence.
- He was captured and martyred in Ranchi Jail at the age of 25.
| Munda Rebellion (1895–1900) – Also known as Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), was a major tribal uprising led by Birsa Munda against British colonial rule, exploitative outsiders (called Dikus), and the erosion of traditional tribal systems in the Chhotanagpur region. – The rebellion is seen as a landmark event in tribal resistance and eventually prompted legislative changes such as the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT Act) of 1908 to protect tribal land rights. Major Reasons for the Revolt – Economic Exploitation & Land Alienation: The imposition of British colonial land revenue policies dismantled the traditional Khuntkatti system of communal land ownership. Land was transferred to zamindars, moneylenders, contractors, and non-tribal settlers (Dikus), leading to widespread alienation of tribal land. – Forced Labour (Beth Begari): Tribals, especially Mundas, were subjected to compulsory, often unpaid, labor for the British and Dikus, further exacerbating their hardships and fueling resentment. – Religious and Cultural Suppression: Missionary activities, forced conversions, and the imposition of foreign laws threatened traditional religious practices. – Political Marginalization: The British administration took over the Mundas’ traditional rights to land, justice, and self-administration, undermining their autonomy and traditional leadership. – Identity Assertion & Leadership of Birsa Munda: Birsa Munda’s leadership gave a new sense of identity, spiritual revival, and mobilization, rallying the community to resist colonial exploitation and restore their rights. |
Governments Steps
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas honors the legacy of Birsa Munda and the contributions of Scheduled Tribes, aiming to integrate their struggles and heritage into India’s national consciousness.
- Through initiatives like the Tribal Pride Year and 11 dedicated museums, the government reinforces the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat—a united nation celebrating all communities.
- These museums, funded under the Support to Tribal Research Institutes scheme, aim to document and disseminate tribal histories often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Source :PIB