Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Every year on November 15th, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated to honor the contributions of India’s tribal communities, especially in the country’s freedom struggle. The day marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a tribal leader and freedom fighter, whose legacy continues to inspire.

Who Was Birsa Munda?

• Birsa Munda was born in 1875 in the Chota Nagpur Plateau and belonged to the Munda tribe.
• Initially, he joined a German Mission school and converted to Christianity, but later renounced it and dropped out of school.
• Birsa Munda created a new faith called Birsait, which worshipped only one god.
  • This religion quickly gained popularity among the Munda and Oraon tribes. Due to his influence, he came to be known as the ‘Father of the Earth’.
• During the 1880s, Birsa witnessed the Sardari Larai movement, which advocated for the restoration of tribal rights through non-violent methods. However, the British colonial government ignored these demands, leading Birsa to take more direct action.

Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan)

• The Munda Rebellion, also known as Ulgulan or "the Great Tumult," was led by Birsa Munda against the British colonial authorities and exploitative outsiders, known as dikus.
• The movement aimed at establishing Munda rule in the region.
• Reasons for the Revolt: In 1874, the British replaced the Munda tribe’s traditional Khuntkari system with the Zamindari system, creating new classes of landlords (zamindars) and tenants (ryots). This change intensified forced labor (vethbigari) and left the tribals reliant on moneylenders, deepening their exploitation.
• Impact: The Munda revolt led to the Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act of 1908, which restricted the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals and provided relief to the Adivasis. This act became landmark legislation in protecting tribal rights and securing their land.

Tribal Contributions to India's Independence

• Tribal movements against British rule, like the Ulgulan (Revolution)led by Birsa Munda, were not only pivotal in challenging British oppression but also inspired a national awakening.
• Birsa Munda, revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities, led a fierce resistance against the exploitative colonial system, making his birth anniversary on 15th November a fitting occasion to honor tribal heroes.
• Across various regions, tribes such as the Santhals, Munda, Ho, Pahadia, Oraon, and others led sustained resistance movements.
• Tribal movements like the Khasi-Garo movement, Mizo movement, Kol movement, etc. are integral chapters in India’s history.
• Tribal Movements Across India:
  • East India: Santhals, Munda, Oraon, Ho, and others.
  • Northeast India: Khasi, Naga, Mizo, and others.
  • South India: Gonds, Kurichya, and others.
  • Central India: Halba, Muriya, Koi.
  • West India: Bhil, Koli, Mina, and others.
• Many of these tribes launched significant rebellions against British rule, with leaders such as Tilka Majhi, Veer Surendra Sai, Sidhu and Kanu Murmu, Rani Gaidinliu, and others becoming iconic figures in the freedom struggle.