A ten-year-old boy with deep patriotism awakened in his mind; once upon a time, he asked the headmaster appointed by the British government in his classroom against the Gora Sarkar. Sir, a question is stirring in my mind. Can you answer my question? Sir, why are the Britishers oppressing the people of our country? Why are these innocent tribal peoples guilty of excessive oppression, especially on the tribal peoples? These few words struck the headmaster of the British government with electric currents of heart and anger. In the boy’s mind, he could see dying patriotism and the burning lava of erupting volcanoes pouring out of his eyes. The teacher thought that this was not a boy but a burning fire. One day, the rule of this Gora Sarakar will collapse. It has to be ruled from now on. As the saying goes, there will be no bamboo or bamboo; no bamboo will be played.’
The answers to the questions turned into unspeakable torture. From his feet to his back, the boy’s body was bruised like a newborn baby’s body by whips. The anger of the teacher was not limited to oppression. He made a firm decision and dismissed the boy from school. The future of the simple and pure student of the tribe was pushed into the darkness. After graduation, the dream of becoming a Hakim remained a dream, and he was eventually appointed a rebel. The boy decided to sacrifice his precious life for the natives and to try with his life to expel the Britisher from this country. I will bring back the original race to my family. Awaken in the heart, मैं रहूं या न रहूं भारत ये रहना चाहिए !! Bharat should remain whether I stay or not. My head tribe must survive. Therefore, he formulated and planned to fight against the Britishers.
Birsa Munda’s life
The struggle against the British Raj in 1857 is called India’s first independence movement. After that, the country’s people are not expected to unite and fight. At this time, the Britishers are ruling the corners of India. The oppression of simple, innocent and pure tribals is increasing. Who will listen to their grief? Hey, God, forgive our sorrows. In the 7th and 8th verses of the Divya Yoga of the fourth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Shrikrishna said,
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥ परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥
Everyone knows about the significance of this verse to those who recite the Gita and others. ‘Arjuna, when Dharma is in crisis, sin spreads its lineage; that is when I manifest myself in the true form or take incarnation and birth in front of everyone. In this tradition, on November 15 1875, the Bhagawan Birsa Munda of the tribal was born in the “Banda” tribe under the bright light of sun rays. In his village name, the Ulihatu (at present, Khundi District in Jharkhand state), Birsa Munda was born during the presidency of Bengal. His father’s name was Suguna Munda, and his mother’s was Kormi Hata Munda. Birsa Munda had five siblings.
The struggle for independence
A careful view of our history shows that this motherland has produced brave sons and daughters who express the spirit of India. Bhagwan Birsa Munda was one of the brightest stars in the constellation that illuminated the nation’s path. But he served the people even when he was in poverty. On the one hand, the poverty of the family, on the other hand, the uncle’s conversion to Christianity and the exploitation of the land, water and forests of the ‘Munda” tribe by the fathers of Hakim Babu and the tyranny of the Sahukars for taxes and the simple ‘Banda’ tribes are full of blind believe. Devotion to the country is awakened in Birsa Munda. How will you fight to save and protect this tribal race? The students were expelled from the Jaipal Christian Missionary School. Who shows up to fight against the Britisher? As the saying goes, nothing is impossible; some ways lead to everything, and if we have sufficient will, we should always have sufficient means to try.
Following this trend, Birsa Munda started the plan with a strong will, hard work, unwavering courage, strength, discerning intelligence and spiritual judgment. Even today, innocent tribal people are dying by eating barley and Mango kernel. (2024, November 2)The Samaja and The Hindu,1A,4A. He did not speak about that time. Innocent tribesmen fall under the tyranny and oppression of the British government. The tribal are suffering from diseases due to lack of food. Bhagwan Birsa Munda started serving them. By serving patients, he awakened patriotism in the minds of the tribals, mobilised the energy to fight to save the “Maa and the Mati”, filled the minds of simple tribes with poison against the British, united the tribes and started the fight against the Britishers All the gangs of Birsa Munda came together to collect debts. The first war was fought against the British in 1894. The war against the Britisher was declared by Birsa Munda, also known as “Dikus”. (NCERT Book)
Religious Reform
“We should never forget our original tribal culture.”: Birsa Munda
Indian culture is the world’s largest, oldest and most unique culture. Culture is the product of such an organisation and expresses itself through language, art, philosophy, and religion. It also expresses itself through social habits, customs, economic organisations and political institutions. In this concept, this mission was started. Birsa Munda was an Indian tribal freedom fighter, religious leader, and hero of the Munda tribe on the Chhotanagpur plateau. In the 19th century, Birsa started a tribal religious militant movement in the presidency of Bengal (Now Jharkhand). He began to advise the people of the indigenous community to adopt their own culture, religion and rights. In this way, while awakening the masses, Birsa Munda became the ‘Dharti Abha’ or ‘Early God’ to the people of the tribal community. Birsa Munda founded a new religion at the age of 20 based on the monotheistic Munda tribals.
It was the beginning of tribal rebellion against the British Raj in the late 19th century. Many police of the British government were killed in this battle. In 1895, the tribal chiefs woke up again. This year, Birsa Munda established an independent “Munda Raja”.(2023) NCERT, National Curriculum Framework for School Education) The tribe made a firm decision that they would not breathe in peace until the Britishers were uprooted from the country. The tribal communities belonging to Oraons and Kharias were roped into a common platform against the Thikadars alliance. In this regard, a flag was also conceptualised as a symbol of independence. Under the direction of Birsa Munda, the tribes attacked churches, police stations and other British offices under British authority using guerilla tactics in war. 12 police officers and many other constables and administrators were killed in this battle. The battle was very fierce.
There was a face-to-face attack between the two, and the British policemen were caught at the end, and the British government knew the strength and toughness of the tribesmen and was well acquainted with the nature of the tribesmen. The Britishers used to say that it would be impossible for them to rule in Bharat if the tribes were united. To rule a dictatorship, one has to master the ignorance. By that time, Birsa Munda had become the God of the tribal. After the victory of the war, Birsa asked the Kurds to renounce Christianity and return to their original cast and advised them to worship one God. He further said that Queen Victoria’s reign had ended and ‘Munda Raj’ had begun.
On the other hand, the British government is planning how to stop this ‘Bhagwan’. The British used force and skill. It was announced that the British government would reward him with five hundred rupees for capturing Birsa Munda. Enemies of the house live in all ages. In Dwapar Yuga, Uncle Sankuni stays in the house of the Kauravas, eats food, and thinks about the development of the Pandavas, and we know the result of Mahabharata.
In the same way, Raghuram Munda acted as a house guard with Birsa Munda. Being greedy, Raghuram Munda showed Birsa Munda’s secret place for five hundred rupees. The British arrested the adverse race’s light, hiding in the night’s darkness.
He was arrested and taken to Ranchi Jail and then Hajaribagh Jail. The oppression of the British began. The head boy never learned to bow down to the British. He never gave in to destroying the pride and glory of the Munda race. The Britisher knew that if Birsa Munda was hanged, another fight would start against us. That’s why the British government poisoned Birsa’s body by giving him poison. On June 9 1900, the flame of tribal was extinguished in prison.
The distinctive feature of the tribal society needs to be nurtured for a better future for humankind. This study shows the importance of the tribal community in the social-cultural fabric of India. The government has implemented many schemes for the development of this tribal area. The country celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of the twenty-four-year-old “Dharit Abba” today. On this occasion, our country’s president, Draupadi Murmu, also said that Bhagwan Birsa Munda is not ideal for the youth of the only tribal community. A source of pride and inspiration for all the country’s youth. Independence, justice, identity, and decency are all his ambitions that should be a strong inspiration for the youth of our country. In 2021, under the present government, it was decided to celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as the “Janjatiya Gaurav Divas” on November 15 every year. However, it is a matter of pride and honour for cores of tribal people across the country. The day will be remembered in future times and generation after generation.
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