Quick Facts
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- Name: Birsa Munda
- Also known As: Tribal Freedom Fighter
- Birth Date: 15 November 1875
- Died On: 9 June 1900
- Nationality: Indian
- Birth Place: Ranchi, Jharkhand
Birsa Munda, the audacious freedom fighter is a hero for the country. He gave his life for the love of his country and became an inspiration for many people. People want to become like him. He is still alive in the hearts of people and has made his unique place among the people.
The Early Life of Birsa Munda
The chivalrous leader from the Munda Tribe fought for the freedom of our country. He contributed to the freedom fight in his own way.
Birsa’s parents left their village when he was young and moved to Chalkad. The early life of Birsa Munda was spent with other age of the Munda tribe. He was unaware of the troubles and atrocities faced by the people of India by the British.
Birsa, after some years, moved with his uncle to Ayubhatu. He started going to school there. Keeping his interest towards education in mind, he was further sent to the German mission School. But at that time, these schools required the conversions of children to Christianity and his name was changed to Birsa David.
The Life After
Birsa stayed in Chaibasa from the time period of 1886 to 1894. This period is marked as the turning point in his life. He understood what politics lies behind the conversion of poor Indians into Christianity.
At that time, the Munda tribe was going through the Sardar agitation. This agitation was in support of the Indian values over the British. He then started being an active part in the agitations carried out by his tribe.
In the year 1893 he became a part of the agitations in support of the rights of his tribe.
After this, Birsa founded a new religion. He claimed to be the messenger of the God. He was against the conversions of the people of any tribe into Christianity. His people respected him and his words and his ideas had a great effect on his tribe.
With the passage of time, his respect in his tribe started growing. The British Colonel rules lead the transformation of the agrarian system into the new system. This further resulted in the loss of the lands of the tribal people.
Birsa along with his tribe started a series of revolts against the British. These revolts improvised his position and he came out to be among the most ferocious leaders that the tribe witnessed.
For his incredible and remarkable work, this audacious freedom fighter has been felicitated in many ways. His name has been commemorated to many universities.
Some of the organizations that have been given his name are:
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- Birsa College, Khunti, Jharkhand
- Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand
The birth date of Birsa Munda, 15th of November is celebrated as a National Festival by the people of Karnataka and Jharkhand. Some movie directors have given a tribute to this legend by dedicating movies after him.
Aranyer Adhikar, a Bengali novel written after him is among the best sellers. A 150 feet long statue of this audacious freedom fighter will be constructed in Jharkhand.
He was arrested by the British people in the year 1900 and this resulted in his death.
This brave and robust man died fighting for the country and for his tribe. The country will never forget what he has done for the Indians.
His courage not only helped his tribe but also inculcated the feelings of nationalism in the people of the entire country. Birsa Munda could not live to see the spark he started turn into a fire.
Written By: Arju Sharma
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