Munda Rebellion was one of the prominent 19th Century tribal rebellions in the subcontinent. Birsa Munda led this movement in the region south of Ranchi in 1899-1900. The Ulgulan, meaning ‘Great Tumult,’ sought to establish independent Munda Raj. The Mundas traditionally enjoyed a preferential rent rate as the khuntkattidar or the original clearer of the forest. But in the course of the 19th century, they had seen this Khuntkatti land system being eroded by the jaghirdars and thikedars coming as merchants and moneylenders. In 1895, Birsa claiming to have seen a vision of God, proclaimed himself a prophet with miraculous healing powers. Thousands flocked to hear the ‘new word’ of Birsa with its prophecy of an imminent deluge. The new prophet became a critic of the traditional tribal customs, religious beliefs, and practices. He called upon the Mundas to fight against superstition, give up animal sacrifice, stop taking intoxicants, to wear the sacred thread and retain the tribal tradition of worship in the Sarna or the sacred grove. It was essentially a revivalist movement, which sought to purge Munda society of all foreign elements and restore its pristine character. Christianity influenced the movement as well and it used both Hindu-Christian idioms to create the Munda ideology and worldview. On Christmas Eve 1899, the Mundas shot arrows and tried to burn down churches over an area covering six police stations in the districts of Ranchi and Singhbhum. Next, in January 1900, the police stations were targeted and there were rumours that Birsa’s followers would attack Ranchi on 8th January, leading to panic there. However, on 9th January, the rebels were defeated. Birsa was captured and died in jail. Nearly 350 Mundas were put on trial, and three of them were hanged and 44 transported for life. ....Read more