In the late 19th century, colonial India witnessed a massive upsurge in resistance movements led by Adivasi (indigenous people) in the eastern part of the country called Chota Nagpur. These movements, including that led by the young tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, happened against the backdrop of a history of colonial exploitation, and land alienation.

Birsa Munda was born on 15 November 1875 at Ulihatu in Khunti district of Jharkhand. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chota Nagpur Plateau area. He converted to Christianity in order to join the German Mission School. However, he later decided to renounce Christianity and drop out of the School.

He made his own faith known as “Birsait Panth”. The members of the Munda and Oraon communities follow the Birsait sect. Birsa also served a lot of people who suffered from diseases and he was given the nickname ‘Dharti Abba’ or Father of the Earth.

Munda openly rebelled against British Government and the Zamindars, and their injustice, and was persecuted for daring to oppose them. He also encouraged other people to oppose/fight against them. Armed rebellion and cultural revitalization began against these outsiders, which later culminated in the last rebellion in the 19th century in Ulgulan, headed by him. The British were enraged after seeing the activities of Birsa and his followers and were determined to suppress this movement.

On 24 August 1895, the District guard, superintendent of Ranchi went to Birsa Munda’s village and arrested Birsa while he was asleep and kept him in Ranchi jail. In November 1895, Birsa Munda and his fifteen associates were sentenced in the court of Ranchi. Birsa Munda got 2 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs50, but he wasn’t able to pay the money. Court ordered 6 more years of imprisonment for not paying the money.

In 1897, in Uttrardh on the occasion of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s rule, Birsa Munda including many other prisoners was released from jail. Birsa Munda wanted to establish a separate state for Munda, so he shifted from Chutiya to Dombari Buru, as his workplace for the establishment of the Munda state. Members of Birsa’s troops were spread in places like Khunti, Chakradharpur, Ranchi, Bondu, etc. His troops’ main head was in Khunti. The rebellion began on 25 December 1899 and an attack was made on Savada Mission Hata, Muru Mission Hata, and Borjo Mission Hata. Following this rebellion of Birsa, the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi laid siege against the rebelling forces in the form of a large encirclement around Khunti, Tamar, and Ranchi. To capture Birsa and his troops, police put their control centre at Bandhgaon. It was a sight to behold an epic struggle between the bow and arrow against the arms and ammunition of the colonial powers.

Birsa and his followers were defeated, and 300 of his followers were arrested, however, the police could not catch Birsa. At last Birsa and his guerilla army who were hiding in the Jamkopai forest of Chakradharpur were arrested by the force and taken to Ranchi on 3rd March 1900. This was the last journey of Birsa’s life. Birsa was sent to Ranchi jail where he died on 9th June 1900. According to the records, he died of cholera but it is believed that he was poisoned and killed by the British. Birsa Munda is remembered even today for bringing back the lost rights of tribals and freeing them from exploitation. He is the only tribal leader whose portrait hangs in the British parliament.

Today, the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda is celebrated as the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas or Tribal Pride Day. Remembering this great patriot, champion of indigenous rights, and a great revolutionary on his birth anniversary.