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
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News in Short – 14 November, 2025
