Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, celebrated every year on November 15th, honors tribal contributions to India’s freedom struggle and marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

About Birsa Munda

• Birsa Munda (1875–1900): A legendary tribal freedom fighter, social reformer, and folk hero, revered as “Dharti Aaba” (Father of the Land) among India’s tribal communities.
• Early Life: Born in 1875 at Ulihatu village, Chota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand); belonged to the Munda tribe. 
  • Educated at a German missionary school, where he was exposed to Christian teachings. 
  • British forest laws and the Zamindari system disrupted tribal livelihoods, reducing tribals to landless labourers under Diku domination.
• Birsait Movement: Founded the Birsait (Birsaayat) faith to revive tribal identity and resist missionary influence. 
  • Promoted rejection of foreign religions, unity among tribals, and social reforms such as prohibition of alcohol, ending black magic (Tonatotka), and eradicating social evils.
• Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), 1899–1900: Led a major tribal uprising against British rule and landlord oppression to restore land rights and reclaim self-rule. 
  • Arrested in 1895 and died in British custody in 1900 at the age of 25.
• Legacy: Symbol of tribal resistance, identity, and dignity; worshipped as Bhagwan Birsa. Inspired later tribal rights movements. 
  • Institutions like Birsa Munda Airport (Ranchi) and Birsa Institute of Technology commemorate his legacy.

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Conclusion

Birsa Munda’s legacy endures as a symbol of tribal identity, justice, and resistance, inspiring ongoing struggles for empowerment and self-determination in India.

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