Biography Of lord Birsa munda

"I am not only the body

I am the ancestral claimant of the forest

The generations and their claims don't die

i can't even die

no one can oust me from the jungles

Owl!

Owl!!

Owl!!!"

Titled 'In memory of Birsa Munda', this poem has been written by tribal litterateur Hariram Meena. 'Ulgulan' means the struggle of the tribals to claim the water-forest-land.

Birsa Munda was a tribal freedom fighter and folk hero of India. His fame was evident in the freedom struggle against the British. In just 25 years of his life, he has achieved so many milestones that our history will always be indebted to him.

Birsa Munda was born on 15 November 1875 in Ulihatu village in Ranchi district of present-day Jharkhand state.

Birsa Munda

His mother's name was Karmi Hatu and father's name was Sugna Munda. At that time there was British rule in India. The tribals did not allow any kind of interference in their areas. This has been the reason that tribal areas have always been independent. The British too could not go there initially, but after all the conspiracies, they finally managed to infiltrate.

First war against British rule!

Birsa Munda was very smart in studies, so people asked his father to enroll him in a German school. But in order to take admission in Christian school, it was necessary to adopt Christianity, so Birsa's name was changed to Birsa David.

After studying for some time, he left the German Mission School. Because the spirit of rebellion was growing in Birsa's mind since childhood against the atrocities of the moneylenders as well as the British government.

After this, Birsa awakened the people against forced conversion and made many efforts to keep the traditions of the tribals alive.

birsa munda

Painting of Birsa Munda addressing his colleagues (The Indian Express)

The 'father of the earth' of the tribals

In 1894, due to lack of rain, there was a severe famine and epidemic in Chota Nagpur. Birsa served his people with full dedication. He made people aware of the cure of diseases by coming out of superstition. For all the tribals, he became 'Dharti Aba' i.e. 'Father of the Earth'.

By passing the 'Indian Forest Act 1882', the British deprived the tribals of the right of forest. The British implemented the new system of revenue by dividing the tribal villages, where they used to do collective farming, among zamindars and brokers by implementing the zamindari system. And then began the exploitation of innocent tribals by the British, landlords and moneylenders.

Birsa ignited the spark of rebellion against this exploitation. In order to free his people from slavery, Birsa raised the slogan of 'Ulgulan' (claim on water-forest-land).

birsa munda

Revolutionary Birsa Munda Statue (Wikipedia)

'Our country, our kingdom'

 

In 1895, Birsa (Birsa Munda) waged a jungle-land battle along with the fight against the British enforced zamindari system and revenue system. It was not just a rebellion. Rather it was a struggle to save tribal self-respect, freedom and culture.

Birsa gave the slogan 'Abua Dishum Abua Raj' i.e. 'Our Country, Our Raj'. Soon all the tribals gathered to claim the forest. The feet of the British government began to crumble. And the corrupt landlords and capitalists trembled in the name of Birsa too.

The British government made every effort to suppress the Ulgulan of Birsa, but they were unsuccessful in the face of the guerrilla war of the tribals. Between 1897 and 1900 there were many battles between the tribals and the British. But every time the British government ditched its mouth.

last journey

Birsa (Birsa Munda) who could not catch the power of cannon and guns of the British, the reason for his captive was the deception of his own people. When the British government announced a reward of 500 rupees for the capture of Birsa, someone from his own person brought the address of Birsa's whereabouts to the British.

In January 1900, Birsa was addressing his public meeting on Dombari hill near Ulihatu, when British soldiers surrounded him from all sides. There was a fight between the British and the tribals. Many people were killed, including women and children. Finally Birsa was also arrested on 3 February 1900 at Chakradharpur.

Birsa breathed his last in the jail of Ranchi on 9 June 1900.