Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

The Government of India celebrates Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to mark the birth anniversary (November 15) of the tribal leader Birsa Munda. The day is celebrated to honour the contributions of the Scheduled Caste members. The first Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was celebrated in 2021.

What is the Biography of Birsa Munda?

Birsa Munda was born in Bengal Presidency at a place called Ulihatu. He was born in November 15, 1875 into a Munda tribal family. He spent his childhood in poverty. He converted into Christian to receive education from a missionary school. He spent a great part of his childhood in Chalibasa. The base for his nationalistic ideas was formed here. His father withdrew him from the school. After quitting the school, Birsa developed strong anti – missionary and anti – government stamp in his mind. He started speaking about the exploitation done by the Britishers in 1890s. According to him, the British policies were disrupting the tribal lives. The Mundas were following Khunkhatti system of joint land holding. The Britishers replaced this system with the Zamindari system. Under the Zamindari system, the outsiders exploited the lands. Because of this, poverty strangled the Mundas.

What is Munda Rebellion started by Birsa Munda?

In 1894, Birsa started the Munda Ulgulan. It is popularly called the Munda Rebellion. The movement focused on the three main things. They are:

• To put an end to the Christian missionaries
• To end the destruction caused by the Hindu landlords and the moneylenders
• To stop the Britishers from destroying the traditional land systems of the Mundas

The rebellion was held in the south of Ranchi between 1899 and 1900. The rebels considered the Britishers as the forces causing miseries to the Mundas. Birsa created a new religion. He proclaimed that he was god’s messenger. Several Mundas, Oraons and Kharias accepted Birsa as their leader.

How did Birsa Munda die?

Birsa Munda was arrested in 1895. He was then released in 1897. In 1899, he fought an armed struggle against the Britishers. He razed the churches, police stations, houses of Zamindars and government properties. In 1900, he was again arrested and lodged in Ranchi jail at the age of 25 years. The authorities claimed that he died of Cholera in the jail. However, it is doubted till date.