Birsa Munda

Tribal leader and folk hero who led a millenarian rebellion against British colonial rule in India

Birsa Munda (1875–1900) was a visionary tribal leader from the Chota Nagpur Plateau in India, whose resistance against British colonialism and advocacy for tribal rights carved a unique legacy. Known as 'Dharti Aba' (Father of the Earth), Birsa mobilized the Munda tribe through a blend of spiritual revivalism and militant activism, challenging oppressive land-acquisition laws like the Bengal Tenancy Act.

His Ulugulan movement (Great Tumult) between 1899–1900 disrupted British revenue systems and highlighted indigenous land rights. Birsa's fusion of traditional beliefs with anti-colonial rhetoric inspired marginalized communities to reclaim autonomy. Though captured and killed in 1900, his movement forced the colonial government to enact the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908), protecting tribal lands—a rare concession to grassroots resistance.

Birsa's legacy is celebrated in Jharkhand's statehood movement and tribal art. His life symbolizes how marginalized voices can reshape national narratives.