Birsa Munda - Freedom Fighter's Death Anniversary [June 9, 1900] | Testbook.com

June 9, 1900

The day when freedom fighter Birsa Munda breathed his last

What transpired on this day?

Birsa Munda, a valiant freedom fighter hailing from the Munda tribe, succumbed to his end in a prison located at Ranchi.

A Brief Biography of Birsa Munda

Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, at Ulihatu in the Bengal Presidency, now Jharkhand, to Sugana Munda and Karmi Hatu.

His early life was marked by the hardships of poverty, typical to the Munda community.

In pursuit of education, he converted to Christianity and adopted the name Birsa David/Daud to study at a missionary school.

His formative years were spent in Chaibasa, where he was exposed to the national movement. His father's decision to withdraw him from the missionary school led to the development of anti-government and anti-missionary sentiments in him.

By the 1890s, he began to vocalize the exploitation of his people by the British. The British agricultural policies were severely disrupting their peaceful and nature-centric lifestyle. The cultural belittlement of the tribal people by Christian missionaries added to their grievances.

The British replaced the Munda's Khunkhatti system of joint landholding with the Zamindari System, leading to the exploitation of the tribal people by outsiders. This resulted in them becoming forced laborers in their own land, driving them into the depths of poverty.

In 1894, Birsa declared his opposition against the British and the Dikus (outsiders), marking the beginning of the Munda Ulgulan. This rebellion is considered a significant event in the history of tribal and peasant uprisings in India in the 19 ^th century .

Birsa also established his own religion, claiming himself to be a messenger of god. His leadership was accepted by many Mundas, Kharias and Oraons, and his popularity even extended to Hindus and Muslims.

He encouraged the tribal people to reject the missionaries and return to their traditional practices, and also urged them to resist paying taxes.

Birsa was arrested in 1895 and released two years later. In 1899, he resumed his armed struggle, targeting police stations, government property, churches, and houses of Zamindars.

He was apprehended by the British in 1900 from the Jamkopai forest, Chakradharpur. Birsa Munda passed away on June 9 ^th 1900 in Ranchi jail at the young age of 25. Officially, his death was attributed to cholera, but this claim remains dubious.

Significant Events on This Day

1716 : The Mughals executed Sikh military commander Banda Singh Bahadur. 1949 : India's first female IPS officer, Kiran Bedi, was born.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was Birsa Munda born?

Birsa Munda was born at Ulihatu in the Bengal Presidency (presently in Jharkhand) on 15th November 1875.

What was the Munda Ulgulan?

In 1894, Birsa announced his declaration against the British and the Dikus (outsiders) and thus began the Munda Ulgulan. This is a very important rebellion of the tribal people among the various uprisings of the tribals and peasants in India in the 19th century.

When and how did Birsa Munda die?

Birsa Munda died on June 9th 1900 while lodged at the Ranchi jail aged just 25. Authorities claimed he died of cholera although this is doubted.

A Brief Biography of Birsa Munda

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was Birsa Munda born?

What was the Munda Ulgulan?

When and how did Birsa Munda die?

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