New Delhi, June 8: This is the story of a warrior who rose from the forests to openly challenge British tyranny, declaring that the rule now belonged to the indigenous people. This hero demonstrated that when the jungle awakens, empires tremble. Birsa Munda, who passed away at just 25, fought not with guns or written revolutions, but with sheer courage, igniting the ‘Ulgulan’ movement.
Birsa Munda, known as ‘Dharti Aaba’ or Father of the Earth, holds a revered status among a large segment of the population. He is often worshipped as a deity, especially in tribal-dominated states.
Born on November 15, 1875, in the village of Ulihatu in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, Birsa spent his childhood tending sheep and playing the flute at relatives’ homes. At that time, the Uraon, Munda, and Kharia tribes of India were shackled by foreign oppression.
The plight of Birsa Munda’s family mirrored that of every tribal family. They were the rightful owners of their land, crops, and villages, yet the East India Company imposed landlords, judges, and contractors upon them. The forest dwellers had become laborers on their own land, living in fear and poverty, plagued by superstitions and oppression.
During this period, Birsa briefly attended a German school in Chaibasa, but troubles followed him. The school mocked tribal culture, which Birsa could not tolerate. After protesting, he was expelled by missionaries.
It was during this time that he met Swami Anand Pandey, a clerk for a local landlord. This encounter introduced Birsa to his culture, religion, and characters from the Mahabharata. Under Anand Pandey’s guidance, he learned extensively and began to contemplate raising awareness within the tribal community before fighting for freedom.
Birsa acquired knowledge of Indian scriptures and philosophy, as well as Ayurvedic medicine. He spent his days foraging in the forests for herbs, conducting experiments with their medicinal properties. It is said that he made significant advancements in herbal medicine, capable of treating severe ailments.
In 1895, extraordinary events led people to believe Birsa was a divine incarnation. He ignited a flame of knowledge and strength among the oppressed tribal communities.
Birsa Munda was a leading figure in the movement against British rule, organizing the Uraon, Munda, and Kharia tribal leaders. He launched a significant campaign to inspire armed resistance against the British. His courage and determination challenged British authority, culminating in the ‘Ulgulan’ movement.
On December 24, 1899, a massive gathering took place on the Dombari Buru hills. The British police attempted to arrest Birsa, but he escaped with the villagers’ help. He continued his movement against the British government without faltering.
On January 9, 1900, British soldiers opened fire on thousands of tribal followers gathered under Birsa’s leadership on Dombari Buru. This brutal incident resulted in hundreds of deaths and is now remembered as the Jallianwala Bagh of Jharkhand.
The massacre occurred while Birsa and his followers were strategizing against the British. The British army surrounded the hill and launched a surprise attack. Despite the chaos, Birsa and his companions fought valiantly, managing to escape the siege. However, he was later arrested and died in prison on June 9, 1900, allegedly from poisoning.
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