This resource provides information about Birsa Munda (1875-1900), a Munda tribal leader who is best known for his role in the Ulgulan or Great Tumult (1899-1900), against British rule, Zamindars (landlords) and Missionaries in the Chotanagpur plateau (formerly in Bihar, presently in Jharkhand). This resource includes biographical information covering his early life, the faith he initiated, the land tenure system which led to the revolt, the Ulgulan, his death, the enactment of the tenancy laws and his legacy. This resource documents differences and contradictions in the available literature. Our resources on Scheduled Tribes and on Bahujan will provide additional context to Adivasi history.
Early life of Birsa Munda
Birsa Munda was born on 15th November 1875, to Sugana Munda, in Ulihatu (formerly known as Chalkad) village in Khunti (formerly Manika) district (now in Jharkhand). One source claims that he was named after the day of the week of his birth (as per Munda custom), and therefore named Birsa (Ambedkarite Today). The land revolt led by him is documented in our resource on Dalit land title and tenure.
Birsait faith
Birsa dropped out of school and created the Birsait faith (Wikipedia). Birsaits said their true enemies were the British and Christian missionaries (Wikipedia). After his release in November 1897, Birsa resumed his efforts to unify tribal groups (Ambedkarite Today). His followers revere him as Bhagwan (Lord) Birsa (Anantam IAS; Usthadian Academy). For more on Birsa’s titles, see the log.
The land system: khuntkatti and the dikus
In khuntkatti, land was owned by the clan that cleared it (Anantam IAS). The Ulgulan called for the restoration of khuntkatti and the removal of the dikus (Anantam IAS; Usthadian Academy). The abolition of forced labor by the colonial administration (Usthadian Academy) made the dikus the only ones who could rent land to the tribal people and offer them a means of subsistence. Our blog on the caste and education system in India sheds more light on a similar scenario.
Birsa Munda Ulgulan, 1899 – 1900
The Ulgulan was a rebellion in the Chotanagpur area between 1899-1900, led by Birsa Munda against the British and local landlords, and missionaries (Anantam IAS; Model Diplomat). It is written, one of the engagements, took place in January 9, 1900 near Ulihatu and a pillar has been built to commemorate the event (Wikipedia). The goals of the movement were to gain possession of land, right to self-governance, and reformation of society and religion (Anantam IAS). It is said that the movement also positively influenced and brought down the missionary activities in the area (PMF IAS). Accounts by the British authorities gave their version on the uprising. This has been referred to in this study where necessary.
Arrest and death in custody
His arrest and death in custody occurred in February 1900 (Ambedkarite Today; Leverage Edu). It is said that he died a natural death in jail in June, 1900 at the age of 24-25 years (Wikipedia; Leverage Edu). His death was attributed to cholera. The Movement came to an end with his demise (PMF IAS). However, it is said that the activities of the Missionaries resumed after his death and, hence, brought back the old conditions in the society (Biswal).
The tenancy laws
The Tenancy Act of 1903 acknowledged the system of khuntkatti. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908 restricted the transfer of land of the tribal people to the non-tribal people (PMF IAS; Usthadian Academy; Anantam IAS). The Acts are linked to Ulgulan in the notes and one Act says that the other was a direct consequence of that (Anantam IAS). The Acts are still part of the land laws of Jharkhand (Usthadian Academy).
Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
The 15th of November, his birthday, was announced as Birsa Munda Jayanti and as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) by the Government of India in 2021 (Usthadian Academy; Model Diplomat). This date also marks the foundation day of Jharkhand as it was created in 2000 (PMF IAS; Model Diplomat). In 2025, on his 150th birth anniversary, the Government of India issued coins to honor him (Usthadian Academy). Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi and the Birsa Munda Agricultural University are some of the educational and bureaucratic services related to Birsa (Model Diplomat; Vedantu). His once munemporary remains are kept in the jail where he died, and a museum has been opened in remembrance of him in 2021 (Leverage Edu; Model Diplomat). His struggle was for the right to govern himself and land. He also struggled to keep authority over the narrative of his people. The Ambedkarite program teaches the same for a fee in the 21st century.
What the sources disagree on
- Birthplace. Ulihatu, Chalkad or Bamba.
- Age at the time of his death. 24 or 25.
- Cause of death. Cholera, according to official reports. Disputed by followers and some historians.
- Place of capture. Not mentioned in all reports. One report mentions the Jamkopai forest.
- Titles. Birsa Munda used Bhagwan (god) and Dharti Aaba (Father of the Earth) titles in his latter writings. They are also mentioned by his followers.
Takeaway
Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was the founder of the Birsait faith and led the Ulgulan (uprising) of 1899-1900, against the Zamindars and outsiders for the restoration of Khatathi land rights and against forced labour. He was captured in 1900 and died in Ranchi Jail on 9th June, 1900, officially of Cholera, the cause of his death which his followers rejected. The land Tenancy Acts of 1903 and 1908, the latter extended to Chotanagpur, were enacted to restore some land rights of the Scheduled Tribes. November 15 is observed as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ in memory of Birsa Munda.
Birsa Munda is revered by many of the Adivasis of India and beyond. His writings are highly philosophical, poetic, and reflect a deep understanding of life and nature. His extraordinary charisma and oratory skills drew thousands of followers to him. Some have argued that his revolutionary ideals and tactics may have influenced hundreds of violent peasant and tribal uprisings across India during the early 20th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Birsa Munda?
Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was a leader of the Munda tribe who led the Ulgulan movement in 1899-1900 against British rule, local landlords, and missionaries.
What was Ulgulan?
Also known as the Great Tumult, Ulgulan refers to the series of events that occurred between 1899 and 1900 and is often termed the Munda Rebellion. During this period, the Munda people of present-day Jharkhand demanded that the British restore their khuntkatti rights and also asked them to evict people of other communities from their region who were largely in control of the means of production.
What is the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act?
Passed in 1908, this act placed restrictions on the Munda and other tribes of Chotanagpur region of present-day Jharkhand from transferring their lands to non-Munda people. Earlier, in 1903, the British passed the Tenancy Act and granted recognition to the khuntkatti system.
Why is Birsa Munda called Bhagwan?
Nearly a century after his death, Birsa Munda’s followers still considered him as Bhagwan and this title is in common use today.
What is the significance of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas?
The Government of India celebrated Birsa Munda’s birth date (November 15) as the “Tribal Pride Day” in 2021.
SOURCES
- Wikipedia, “Birsa Munda”
- Wikipedia, “Ulihatu”
- Anantam IAS, “Birsa Munda: Tribal Leader, Ulgulan Movement and Legacy”
- Model Diplomat, “Birsa Munda: Ulgulan Tribal Revolt Leader”
- PMF IAS, “150th Birth Anniversary of Birsa Munda”
- Usthadian Academy, “Birsa Munda’s 150th Birth Anniversary and National Tribal Pride”
- Leverage Edu, “Birsa Munda: Life and his Ulgulan Movement”
- Vedantu, “Birsa Munda Biography, Revolt and Legacy”
- Ambedkarite Today, “About Birsa Munda (1875–1900): Biography and Life History”
- K.S. Singh, Birsa Munda and His Movement, 1872–1901 (Oxford University Press, 1966) (please add page references)
- The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 (please add the official text)
