Question

Which of the following statement is/are correct about the Munda revolt?

(i) The Munda revolt took place in 1899-1900.

(ii) Birsa Munda was the leader of the Munda revolt.

(iii) North-West India was the centre of the Munda revolt.

• A. Only (i) and (ii)
• B. Only (i)
• C. All of the above (i), (ii), (iii)
• D. Only (ii) and (iii)

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only (i) and (ii)

The Munda Revolt (Ulgulan)

• The Munda revolt, also known as the 'Ulgulan' (meaning 'Great Tumult'), was a significant tribal uprising in British India.
• It primarily occurred in the region of Chotanagpur, which is in present-day Jharkhand.
• Therefore, statement (iii) is incorrect as the revolt was centered in East/Central India, not North-West India.

Timeline and Leadership

• Statement (i) is correct: The Munda revolt took place from 1899 to 1900.
• Statement (ii) is correct: The revolt was led by the iconic tribal leader, Birsa Munda.

Background and Causes

• Birsa Munda, revered by his people as 'Dharti Aba' (Father of the Earth), claimed to have divine powers and initiated a socio-religious movement.
• The revolt was a response to the oppressive policies of the British colonial government and the activities of non-tribal landlords (dikus) and moneylenders.
• Key grievances included:
  • Infringement of traditional land rights and the imposition of Khuntkatti (joint tribal ownership) system's abolition.
  • Forced labor (beth begari).
  • Increased land revenue demands.
  • Exploitation by moneylenders and merchants.
  • Introduction of Christianity which was perceived as a threat to their traditional way of life.

Key Events and Outcomes

• Birsa Munda organized the Mundas to fight against the British and the 'dikus'.
• The revolt involved armed resistance and attacks on police stations, government officials, and moneylenders.
• The British forces eventually suppressed the rebellion.
• Birsa Munda was arrested in 1900 and died in Ranchi jail under mysterious circumstances, often attributed to cholera.
• Although the revolt was suppressed, it had a lasting impact. It led to the enactment of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908, which provided significant protection to tribal land rights and restricted the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
• The Munda revolt is considered a major landmark in the history of tribal resistance against colonial rule in India.