Karnataka State Tribal Research Center

Birsa Munda

Birsa Munda (15 November 1875 – 9 June 1900) was an Indian tribal independence activist, and folk hero who belonged to the Munda tribe. He spearheaded a tribal religious millenarian movement that arose in the Bengal Presidency (now Jharkhand) in the late 19th century, during the British Raj, thereby making him an important figure in the history of the Indian independence movement. The revolt mainly concentrated in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon.

Birsa received his education in Salga under the guidance of his teacher Jaipal Nag. Later, Birsa converted into a Christian to join the German Mission School but soon dropped out after finding out that Britishers were aiming to convert tribals to Christianity through education. After dropping out of school, Birsa Munda created a faith called Birsait. Members of the Munda community soon started joining the faith which in turn became a challenge for the British activities.The Birsaits openly declared that the real enemies were the British and not Christian Mundas. The cause of the Munda revolt was the 'unfair land grabbing practices by colonial and local authorities that demolished the tribal conventional land system'. Birsa Munda is known for challenging the British Christian missionaries and revolting against the conversion activities along with the Munda and Oraon communities. His portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament Museum.

TRIBAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute

The Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, Mysuru is sponsored by Ministry of Tribal affairs Govt. of India and functioning under the Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka.It started functioning independently from July 2011, Vide Govt. of Karnataka order No. Sakai 9 Pavayo 2010, dated 26-10 -2010. The Institute is conducting several programmes for the development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes. These include Research, Training, Evaluation, Seminars, Workshops, Publication of articles, Production of documentary films on tribal life, Establishment of Tribal Museum and Library etc.

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