BIRSHA MUNDA: FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FREEDOM FIGHTER.

Birsha munda also known as ( Birsha Bhagwan) was an Indian tribal freedom fighter. He is the tribal leader who revolted against the british rule.during the British Raj, thereby making him an important figure in the history of the Indian independence movement. His achievements are even more remarkable for having been accomplished before the age of 25.

He was a visionary who played a crucial role in liberation of his community, the tribal people, who were exposed to persistent dominance by the British exploitative policies and atrocities. His own experiences as a young boy, when he traveled from one place to another in search of work provided him with an understanding of different matters from which the community was suffering due to the British oppression. After realizing the fact that the British company arrived in India to torture the people and carry the wealth abroad, he started spreading awareness to expose the agenda of British and gathered his army of tribals. The army responded with movements and protests against the injustice and treachery of the British Raj. He was an active participant in the revolt and is remembered as a relentless fighter who possessed the courage to fight the British. He also claimed himself to be a messenger of the almighty and told his followers to follow the concept of One God. His influential personality and motivational speeches encouraged the public to believe in the power of freedom, to dream of a different world than the one they lived in. His efforts for the restoration of full ownership rights of tribals exemplified his leadership and vision.

• Birsa Munda was born on a Thursday and was named after the day of his birth according to the Munda custom

• Many folk songs have been made to celebrate the life of the great warrior

• According to folk songs, he used to play in sand and dust with his friends.

• He was an expert in playing the flute and used to carry an instrument made from pumpkin

• He was very sharp in studies

• Birsa converted to Christianity to join German Mission School since it was compulsory to convert to Christianity to join the school and was renamed as Birsa David, which he later changed to Birsa Daud

• When he was in school, the German and Roman Catholic Christian agitation was at its peak. This made his father, Sugana Munda, withdraw his son from the school

• The daughter of Mathura Muda of Koensar and the wife of Jaga Munda of Jiuri insisted on becoming wives of Birsa

• Birsa Munda started to propagate the principles of Hindu religion and advised converted tribal people to read their original religious system thoroughly. He became such an important figure that tribal people used to seek his blessings

• He was valued as a god by his followers

• His birth anniversary, November 15, is still celebrated by tribal people in Karnataka. Official functions take place at his Samadhi Sthal in the capital of Jharkhand

• Many organisations have been named after him such as Birsa Munda Airport Ranchi, Birsa Institute of Technology Sindri, Birsa Munda Vanvasi Chattravas, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Purulia, and Birsa Agricultural University

Birsha Munda died of cholera on June 9, 1900. Although it was said that he did not show symptoms of cholera while he was in jail, the British government had declared that he died of cholera.