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The countrymen have contributed in many ways in the freedom struggle of India. Some followed the path shown by Gandhiji, some took up arms against the oppression of the British, and some helped the freedom fighters. One name that is rarely remembered in his ability to lead freedom fighters is Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda (Birsa Munda) led the tribals in their fight against the British. His contribution was so high that even today the tribals consider him as God. His death anniversary is on 9th June. Birsa Munda’s contribution was not only for independence but he became the voice of the tribals.
Today it is very important for every countryman, especially the children of the country, to know about Birsa Munda. 123 years ago, the British had destroyed the body of Birsa Munda by poisoning him. But could not stop him from becoming immortal in the heart of every tribal. He not only taught the exiles to fight against the British but also showed them the path of self-respect.
childhood spent in poverty
Birsa Munda was born on 15 November 1875 in Ulihatu village of Ranchi district of Bengal Presidency. His father’s name was Sugna Munda and mother’s name was Karmi Hatu. His childhood was spent in poverty. He was very fond of playing the flute. His early education took place in Salga. But soon he came in contact with a Christian missionary who was converting people in his village to Christianity.
Christianity and disaffiliation
Birsa was very clever in studies. That’s why he was sent to the German Mission School in Salga itself, where he became Birsa David after becoming a Christian. After studying for a few years, Birsa understood the game of the missionaries and started opposing them and left the school as well. After this he lived in Chaibasa for a long time and in 1890 his entire family left Christianity and returned to their tribal religious tradition.
towards mass movement
This was the period when the Sardar movement was going on in his tribal area. The battle was being fought under the leadership of Bhumij-Munda Sardars. Birsa decided to join this movement to protest against the forest dwellers being deprived of their own forest. Meanwhile, in 1893-94, the government implemented the Indian Forest Act 1882 to bring a lot of village land under protected forests. The Sardari battle in 1894 did not succeed due to lack of strong leadership.
a saint for tribals
But it was from here that the rise of Birsa Munda started. He inspired the exiles to return to their tribal religion and an image of a saint began to emerge among the people. He inspired the people to stand up against the British, in which the British wanted to impose their own Zamindari system in place of traditional tribal farming.
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Earth as Baba
Birsa Munda asked people to leave Christianity and believe in only one God, declaring himself as the Messiah, he announced that he had come to bring back the kingdom to his people. He said that now the rule of Queen Victoria is over and the Munda rule has started. Munda started calling him Dharti Baba. Meanwhile, Birsa Munda was arrested by the British for two years.
After being released from jail in 1898, Birsa kept meeting people secretly and kept working to unite them and kept attacking the British from place to place. Gradually it turned into a direct fight between the British and the Munda tribals. A reward of 500 rupees was placed on his head. He was arrested on 3 February 1900. He and his associates were prosecuted. But he died on 9 June 1900. It is said that he was poisoned by the British. After him the movement was suppressed, but in 1908 a law was made that land would not be taken from the tribals..
