Birsa Munda

In Jharkhand, Bihar and other states, there are many prominent structures and organisations named after Birsa Munda, such as Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi; Birsa Munda Institute of Technology, Sindri; Birsa Munda Vanvasi Chattravas, Kanpur; Sidho Kanho Birsa University, Purulia; and Birsa Agricultural University. The war cry of the Bihar regiment is ‘Birsa Munda Ki Jai’.

Who was Birsa Munda? Many may not have even heard his name. Born on 15th November, 1875 in the Ulihatu village of Khunti district in Jharkhand, he lived for only 25 years. It is amazing that a tribal peasant in undeveloped forests of Jharkhand, under British tyranny, could achieve so much in a short life span! People idolised him by calling him ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda’. In recognition of his yeomen work, in 2021, the Union Cabinet voted to observe 15th November (Birsa’s birth anniversary) as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas – honour of the tribals. Naturally, he deserves our Namaskaars too.

Birsa Munda’s father was Sugana Munda, and his mother, Karmi Hatu. The family, with Birsa’s brothers and sisters kept migrating in the forest region for employment, being essentially agricultural labourers. Birsa grew up as a strong and handsome man and grazed sheep in the forests. He could play the flute with expertise and went around with the ‘tulla’ (one-stringed instrument made from pumpkin). He enjoyed being on the ‘akhara’ (village