Context:
PM addressed program marking celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, 2023.
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is observed to honour the birth anniversary of the revered tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda.
About Birsa Munda:
- Belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chotanagpur Plateau area.
- Also known as Dharti Aaba (Father of Earth)
- Started the faith of ‘Birsait’.
- Members of the Munda and Oraon community started joining the Birsait sect.
Munda Rebellion (1899-1900):
- Led by – Birsa Munda
- Location – South of Ranchi
- Causes of Munda Misery –
- British land policies harmed traditional land system “Khuntkatti System”
- Hindu landlords seized Munda land
- Missionaries criticized traditional culture
- Referred outsiders as ‘Dikus’
- Called as ‘Ulgulan‘ or ‘Great Tumult’.
- Symbol of Birsa Raj – White flag
- Significance –
- Enacted Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908: Restriction of sale of Adivasi land to non-Adivasis.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Trumult is the description of which of the following events?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) The Revolt of 1857
(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60
(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
Answer: (d)
