Consider the following statements about the Birsa movement in Chota Nagpur:
- 1. It arose among sections of the Adivasis in the hilly tract of Chota Nagpur.
- 2. It was led by Birsa, a Munda of the village of Chalkad in Tamar thana.
- 3. It began as a movement for internal religious reform and social purification.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- AOnly 2 and 3
- B1, 2 and 3
- COnly 1 and 2
- DOnly 1 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
All three statements are correct.
- Statement 1: the movement arose among the Munda tribals of the hilly Chota Nagpur region (now in Jharkhand).
- Statement 2: it was led by Birsa Munda, of the village of Chalkad in Tamar thana.
- Statement 3: it began as a movement of religious and social reform: Birsa asked his followers to give up animal sacrifice, liquor and witchcraft and to worship one god. It then became the Ulgulan (1899–1900), an armed rising against the landlords (*dikus*) and British rule.
It led to the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (1908), which protected tribal land.