Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary: Celebrating the life and legacy of India's great freedom fighter

Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in Jharkhand. Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Jharkhand Tourism

As India marks the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, communities across the country are celebrating not only the life of a legendary freedom fighter but also the cultural pride and resilience he embodied. His birth anniversary on November 15, which also marks Jharkhand's Statehood Day, carries deeper meaning this year as the nation commemorates Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (Tribal Pride Year) and honours the contributions of tribal leaders across India.

Birth and early life
Born as Daud Munda on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village in present-day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda came from modest beginnings. His father worked as a sharecropper, and the family belonged to the Munda tribe of the Chhotanagpur region. Birsa Munda was also a gifted dancer and musician, he actively participated in the village akhra (community spaces for dance) and played flute and tuila.

Rise as a leader
By the late 19th century, the British administration had disrupted the traditional way of life of tribal communities. The imposition of the zamindari system, exploitative middlemen (thikadars), heavy taxes, forest restrictions, and forced labour pushed the Munda community into extreme hardship. Their community land-holding system, known as Khuntkatti, collapsed under colonial pressure, leaving many as bonded labourers.

Emerging as both a spiritual guide and a social reformer, Birsa Munda inspired the community to reclaim their identity, land, and autonomy. His message was clear: resist exploitation, revive tribal customs, and fight for self-rule.

The Ulgulan Movement
Between 1899 and 1900, Birsa led the historic Ulgulan, or the 'Great Tumult' - a powerful movement demanding tribal self-governance, restoration of land rights, and an end to British interference. His call, 'Abua Raj Setarjana, Maharani Raj Tundujana' (End the Queen's rule, establish our own kingdom) became the rallying cry for thousands.

Known as Dharti Aaba, or 'Father of the Earth,' Birsa envisioned a just, moral, and self-governed society free from colonial and feudal oppression.

Arrest and tragic end
Birsa Munda was first arrested in 1895 and imprisoned for two years. On his release, he continued to mobilise the tribes, strengthening resistance across the region. In 1900, at the age of just 25, he died in British custody, reportedly of cholera. His death marked the end of the uprising, but not of the movement he sparked.

Legacy
Though the rebellion waned after his passing, the impact of his movement was profound. The Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908 - one of the most significant protections for tribal land - was a direct outcome of the agitation led by Birsa and his followers.

Today, his birth anniversary is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, honouring tribal history, culture, and struggles. This year, Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh brings special focus to his legacy and other Indian tribal leaders in India's anti-colonial struggle and to celebrate the rich diversity of the country's tribal cultures and heritage.

As the nation marks 150 years of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, his story remains a reminder of resilience, identity, and the continuing journey toward dignity for indigenous communities.