Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Birsa was the leader of the Munda Rebellion, one of the significant tribal movements waged against colonial rule in India. Different estimates place his year of birth between 1872 and 1876. As for his birthplace, the claims lean toward Ulihatu in Ranchi District and Bamba in Singuri, adjacent to Chalkad. Study at missionary schools made Birsa receptive to Christianity.Birsa rose from the lowest ranks to mobilize his people against appropriation of their lands, destruction of their economy, and onslaught on their culture by outsiders. His struggle was for land, forest resources, and identity. He led the Munda community in the Chhotanagpur region in an armed struggle against the exploiting classes and the British colonial rulers, giving a call for Ulgulan (revolt). The uprising aimed at nonpayment of taxes to the zamindars (landlords), assertion of the Munda's rights as the real proprietors of the soil, and reestablishment of the Munda's traditional rights in respect of the jungles. The movement sought to expel the middlemen and intermediaries, the Dikus (non-tribal landowners), and the Sahebs (British), and establish Birsa Raj (rule) in the region. In 1899 and 1890, over 300 Mundas, under his inspiration, attacked the Khunti police station, killing a constable and setting houses on fire. In the police action that followed, more than 200 Mundas were killed. Birsa was arrested later ... log in or subscribe to read full text