Page 8 - NIS English 01-15 November 2022

Personality Bhagwan Birsa Munda
DHARTI AABA
Bhagwan Birsa Munda

Birsa Munda was a popular mass leader who was
considered Bhagwan and Dharati Aaba by his
followers. In his 25 years of life, he achieved this
reverence despite facing a turbulent life. In the
second half of the 19th century, he gave a new
direction to the struggle of the tribal society and
ushered in a new social era in which he showed
exemplary bravery. He was not only adored as a
great hero of the land but also revered as Bhagwan
and Dharti Aaba (Father of the Earth).
Born: 15 November 1875 | Died: 9 June 1900

he struggle of the tribals for protecting Birsa Munda.
water, forest, and land is centuries old. Birsa fought against the zamindari and
TOn 15 November 1875, a child was born revenue system imposed by the British. Birsa
to Sugna Munda in Ulihatu village of the Ranchi also revolted against greedy moneylenders.
district at a time in the second half of the 19th These moneylenders used to take possession of
century, when India was under subjugation. It is tribal land in return for loans. This rebellion called
said that the day was Thursday (Brihaspativar in "Ulgula" lasted till the death of Birsa Munda. In
Hindi) so the boy was named Birsa. The condition August 1897, Birsa attacked a police station with
of the house was not very good, despite this, his about 400 tribals with him. The last fight between
father sent him to a missionary school to study. Munda and the British ensued in January 1900.
The story dates back to 1882. On one hand there Thousands of tribals faced the British in this
was poverty and on the other the British brought battle on Doumbri hill near Ranchi. The arrows
the Indian Forest Act. With the help of this act, and bows of tribals were no match to British
the British wanted to deprive the tribals of their cannons and guns. Many people were killed and
forest rights. several others were arrested by the British.
He left his education at the age of 15 in the year The British had placed a reward of Rs 500 on
1890. After this, for the next 5 years (till 1890-95), Birsa. During those times, this amount was very
Birsa studied religion, policy, philosophy, forest- high. It is said that the people known to him gave his
dwelling customs, Mundani traditions in depth. whereabouts to the British for Rs 500. Eventually,
He said, "Saheb-Saheb Topi Ek" after developing Birsa was arrested from Chakradharpur. He was
views about the various fields. imprisoned in Ranchi jail. It is said that here he was
Birsa realized that the tribal society is trapped given slow poison. Due to this, he died on 9 June
in superstitions in terms of behaviour. On the point 1900. Reminding this heroic saga of Birsa, which
of religion, the tribals sometimes come under the remained confined to the inner pages of books
temptation of missionaries. On top of this was the or to a particular region for years, Prime Minister
exploitation of the zamindars and the British rule. Narendra Modi said, “Bhagwan Birsa lived for the
Birsa organized the tribal society at three levels. society, sacrificing his life for his culture and his
First, the path of cleanliness and education, away country. Therefore, he is still present in our faith,
from superstitions and hypocrisy. Second, reform in our spirit as our Bhagwan." Prime Minister Modi
at the economic and social levels. For this, Birsa inaugurated a museum in memory of Birsa Munda
took over the leadership and started a movement on 15 November 2021. Also, it was announced to
against the 'Begari system'. Third, undertook celebrate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda as
a campaign to make the tribals aware of their Tribal Pride Day.
political rights. The tribals found their hero in

6 New India Samachar November 1-15, 2022