Birsa Munda Movement - General Knowledge Of Modern India
After 1857, the Mundas started the Sardar movement, which was a movement of a calm nature. But this did not bring any significant change in the condition of the tribals. The Mundas decided to give a militant form to the upcoming movement. In contrast to the Sardar movement, the Birsa Munda movement was fierce and violent. The leader of this movement was Birsa Munda, an educated youth leader. This movement was started for the fulfillment of various objectives. Therefore its form was also mixed. This movement aspired to achieve various objectives such as economic, political change and religious revival.Economic Objectives of Birsa Munda Movement
The economic objective of the Birsa movement was the return of the tax-free land of the tribals captured by the Diku zamindars (non-tribal zamindars) for which the tribals had been fighting for a long time. The Munda community was unable to get justice from the government. Tired of this inability, he decided to end the British Raj and establish Munda Raj. They wanted to drive out all the British officers and Christian missions from their territory. Birsa Munda organized the Mundas by resorting to a new religion. Under his leadership, the Mundas revolted in 1899-1900 AD.
Birsa Munda's Leadership
Seeing the pathetic condition of the tribals, Birsa Munda wanted to free them from the tyranny of landlords and contractors. Birsa Munda had realized that the result of running a movement through peaceful means is futile. Therefore, he organized more and more youth to make this movement fierce. The Mundas accepted him as their god. Every word of his became a brahmvakya for the Mundas. Birsa Munda declared that no one should pay taxes to the government. The Mundas obeyed and obeyed his words.
Birsa Munda Arrested
In 1895, Birsa Munda was arrested for the crime of spreading rebellion and conspiracy against the Raj. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. After his release from prison, he became more active and started motivating tribal youth for the movement with more enthusiasm. Secret meetings were organized hiding in the forest and everyone was encouraged to take part in the movement. He himself used to practice archery by hitting the effigy of Queen Victoria with arrows. Many innocent people were also killed in the Birsa Munda movement, whose only fault was that they were government servants.
Suppression Of Rebellion
In 1899, a widespread and violent revolt of the Mundas began on Christmas Day. At first, the Mundas who became Christians and those who worked for the government were tried to be killed, but later this policy was changed because those who converted to their religion were Mundas, then they belonged to their own community! Therefore, leaving them, voices began to rise against the government and the missionaries. Many churches in Ranchi and Singhbhum were attacked by the Munda tribal group. The police became a special victim of the wrath of the Mundas. The effect of this rebellion spread throughout Chotanagpur.
Concerned, the government decided to suppress this rebellion. The government took the help of the police and the army. The Mundas faced the police and the army by resorting to guerilla warfare, but how long would the bow and arrow last in front of the gun? In February 1900, Birsa was once again arrested. He was kept in the jail of Ranchi. The government prosecuted him for sedition. Birsa Munda contracted cholera during the trial itself and gave up his life on June 9, 1900 AD.
Result
After the death of Birsa, the Birsa Munda movement was weakened. Three prominent associates of Birsa were hanged. Many Mundas were thrown in jail. As a result the Birsa Munda movement failed. The tribals did not get any immediate benefit from this movement but the government was forced to consider their dire situation. Survey of land of tribals was done. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in 1908 itself. The Mundas got many rights related to land and they got freedom from unemployment. The Munda community still considers Birsa as their god.