Indian history · British era · Revolutionaries
Birsa Munda and the Tribal Revolts of British India: Ulgulan, the Santhal Hul, Kol, Bhil, Khasi, Rampa and Other Uprisings — Exam Notes
Some of the fiercest resistance to colonial rule came from India's tribal communities, whose forests, land and customs were transformed by British laws. Birsa Munda, who led the Ulgulan in Chotanagpur, is the best-known of these leaders, and his birth anniversary is now observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. This guide covers him and the other tribal uprisings that exams ask about.
Why did tribal communities revolt?
- Land: British land settlements and the arrival of outsiders — moneylenders, traders and landlords, called dikus by the Mundas and Santhals — took over tribal land.
- Forests: The Indian Forest Acts (1865, 1878, 1927) declared forests state property, restricting shifting cultivation (jhum), grazing and collection of forest produce.
- Debt and forced labour: high interest rates and begar (forced labour).
- Missionaries and outside rule: disruption of traditional chiefs, laws and customs.
Birsa Munda (1875–1900)
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 November 1875, Ulihatu (Khunti district, Jharkhand) |
| Community | Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur plateau |
| Movement | Ulgulan ("great tumult"), 1899–1900 |
| Followers called him | Dharti Aba ("father of the earth") |
| Died | 9 June 1900, Ranchi jail |
Early life
Birsa studied at a German missionary school at Chaibasa, where he briefly became Christian. He also came into contact with Vaishnava teachings. He grew critical of missionaries and landlords alike.
The Birsait faith
Around 1895, Birsa claimed to have received a divine vision. He preached one God, gave up liquor and animal sacrifice, and asked his followers to follow a pure life. Thousands of Mundas, who called themselves Birsaites, gathered to hear him. He told them that the Munda Raj would be restored and that the British and the dikus would be driven out.
The Ulgulan (1899–1900)
The Mundas had long demanded the restoration of their khuntkatti system — the joint ownership of land by the descendants of those who first cleared the forest — which had been broken up by landlords and outside settlers.
- Birsa was arrested in 1895 and jailed for two years.
- On Christmas Eve 1899, his followers attacked police stations, churches and the property of landlords across the Ranchi and Singhbhum districts, using bows, arrows and swords.
- In January 1900, the British attacked the rebels gathered at Dombari Buru (Sail Rakab hill); many Mundas, including women and children, were killed.
- Birsa was captured on 3 February 1900 and died in Ranchi jail on 9 June 1900, officially of cholera, aged 24.
Results
The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 recognised the khuntkatti rights of the Mundas and banned begar (forced labour), and restricted the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals — a lasting achievement of the movement.
Honours
- The state of Jharkhand was formed on 15 November 2000, Birsa Munda's birth anniversary.
- Since 2021, 15 November is observed nationally as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day). His 150th birth anniversary was celebrated in 2024–25.
- Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, and the Birsa Munda Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi carry his name. His portrait hangs in the Central Hall of Parliament.
Other major tribal revolts
| Revolt | Years | Region | Leaders / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paharia revolt | 1770s–1778 | Rajmahal hills | Against British expansion into their hills |
| Chuar uprising | 1766–1772, 1795–1816 | Jungle Mahal (Midnapore, Bankura) | Against high revenue and loss of land |
| Tilka Manjhi (Paharia) | 1784–85 | Bhagalpur | Wounded British collector Augustus Cleveland; hanged 1785; Bhagalpur University named after him |
| Kol uprising | 1831–32 | Chotanagpur (Ranchi, Singhbhum) | Led by Buddhu Bhagat; against land transfer to outsiders |
| Khasi uprising | 1829–33 | Khasi hills (Meghalaya) | Tirot Singh opposed a British road through the hills |
| Khond uprising | 1837–56 | Odisha | Chakra Bisoi; against British suppression of the meriah (human sacrifice) custom and taxes |
| Santhal Hul | 1855–56 | Rajmahal hills (Damin-i-koh) | Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, with Chand, Bhairav, Phulo and Jhano; the British created the Santhal Parganas district (1855) afterwards |
| Bhil uprisings | 1818–1831, later | Khandesh, western Ghats | Tantia Bhil (later 19th century), remembered as the "Indian Robin Hood" |
| Koya revolts | 1862, 1879–80 | Godavari region | Led by Tomma Dora (1879–80) |
| Munda Ulgulan | 1899–1900 | Chotanagpur | Birsa Munda |
| Tana Bhagat movement | 1914–1919 | Chotanagpur (Oraons) | Jatra Bhagat; later joined Gandhi's non-cooperation |
| Rampa rebellion | 1922–24 | Godavari agency (Andhra) | Alluri Sitarama Raju, against forest laws; killed 1924 |
| Naga movement | 1930s | Manipur, Nagaland | Haipou Jadonang, then Rani Gaidinliu, jailed 1932–1947; Nehru called her "Rani" |
Santhal Hul (1855–56)
On 30 June 1855, about 10,000 Santhals gathered at Bhognadih and declared an end to the rule of moneylenders and the British. Led by the brothers Sidhu and Kanhu, they fought for over a year with bows and arrows before being crushed by the army. 30 June is observed as Hul Diwas. The Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act (1949) later protected their land.
Common features of tribal revolts
- Leaders often combined religious revival with political protest.
- They targeted moneylenders, landlords and officials as well as the British.
- They used traditional weapons and knowledge of forests and hills.
- They were crushed with great force, but often won protective laws afterwards.
Exam traps
- Birsa Munda — Ulgulan, Munda tribe, died 1900; Sidhu–Kanhu — Santhal Hul, 1855.
- Alluri Sitarama Raju — Rampa (1922–24), not a Munda or Santhal leader.
- Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 followed Birsa's movement.
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is 15 November; Hul Diwas is 30 June.
Key points to remember
- Causes: loss of land, forest laws, dikus, debt, begar.
- Birsa Munda: born 15 November 1875, Ulgulan 1899–1900, died 9 June 1900; khuntkatti; CNT Act 1908.
- Santhal Hul 1855 (Sidhu, Kanhu); Kol 1831; Khasi 1829 (Tirot Singh).
- Rampa 1922–24 (Alluri Sitarama Raju); Rani Gaidinliu (Naga).
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas — 15 November (since 2021).
Practice questions
Q1. Birsa Munda's movement is known as:
- (a) Hul
- (b) Ulgulan
- (c) Tana Bhagat
- (d) Rampa
Show answer
Answer: (b) Ulgulan — The Ulgulan ('great tumult') of 1899–1900.
Q2. Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, is observed on:
- (a) 30 June
- (b) 9 June
- (c) 15 November
- (d) 26 January
Show answer
Answer: (c) 15 November — It has been observed on 15 November since 2021.
Q3. The Santhal rebellion of 1855 was led by:
- (a) Birsa Munda
- (b) Sidhu and Kanhu
- (c) Tirot Singh
- (d) Buddhu Bhagat
Show answer
Answer: (b) Sidhu and Kanhu — The brothers Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu led the Santhal Hul.
Q4. Which Act recognised the khuntkatti rights of the Mundas after Birsa's revolt?
- (a) Indian Forest Act, 1878
- (b) Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908
- (c) Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1949
- (d) Government of India Act, 1919
Show answer
Answer: (b) Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 — The CNT Act of 1908 protected Munda land rights and banned begar.
Q5. The Rampa rebellion of 1922–24 was led by:
- (a) Alluri Sitarama Raju
- (b) Tomma Dora
- (c) Jatra Bhagat
- (d) Tantia Bhil
Show answer
Answer: (a) Alluri Sitarama Raju — Alluri Sitarama Raju led the Rampa rebellion in the Godavari agency.
Q6. Rani Gaidinliu was associated with a movement among the:
- (a) Santhals
- (b) Nagas
- (c) Khasis
- (d) Bhils
Show answer
Answer: (b) Nagas — She led the Heraka movement among the Zeliangrong Nagas and was jailed from 1932 to 1947.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Dharti Aba' mean?
"Father of the earth" — the title Birsa Munda's followers gave him.
What is the khuntkatti system?
The Munda system of joint ownership of land by the descendants of those who first cleared the forest.
When is Hul Diwas observed?
On 30 June, the day the Santhal Hul began in 1855.
Official sources
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Munda people
- Press Information Bureau — Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.