Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a tribal leader and freedom fighter.

It is celebrated on November 15th to honor contributions of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle and their role in preserving India’s heritage.
About Bhagwan Birsa Munda
Born on 15th November 1875 in Chotanagpur region (present-day Jharkhand), He was a tribal leader from the Munda community.
- British policies like the Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 destroyed the Khuntkatti land system, forcing tribals into begar, debt, and displacement.
- Birsa converted to Christianity in 1886 but later rejected it, realising its link to British rule, saying “Saheb Saheb ek topi.”
- He founded the Birsait faith, blending tribal traditions with reformist ideas, and he was revered as “Bhagwan” and “Dharti ka Abba.”
- In 1899, Birsa led the Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), a tribal rebellion aimed at ending British rule, expelling outsiders, and establishing Birsa Raj.
  - His movement used guerrilla tactics, refused colonial laws and rent, and became one of the most organised tribal uprisings in India.
  - Arrested in 1900, he died at just 25. His legacy inspired the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908), protecting tribal land rights.

Role of tribals in heritage preservation

Oral traditions and Storytelling: “U Sier Lapalang” (The Stag of Lapalang) folktale among Khasi-Pnar – highlights reverence for nature.
Carriers of rituals, festivals and ceremonies: Eg. Hornbill Festival among Nagas aims to protect unique cultural diversity and rich traditions of Nagaland. 
Traditional crafts and art forms: E.g. Warli paintings by Warli tribes showcase deep connection between humans and nature.
Traditional Medicine:  E.g. Various plants are conserved and used as medicinal herbs for bone fracture, snake-bites, muscular pain, cure of fever, headcache, and body swelling etc.

Conservation of Protected Areas. E.g Soligas tribes in  Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) wildlife sanctuary (Karnataka) uses traditional knowledge for conservation of forest ecology
Sacred Natural Spaces: Plants are conserved in their natural habitat by tribals due to magico-religious belief that they are habitat of god and goddess.E.g. Mawphlang Sacred Forest is protected by Khasi for >800 years for deity Labasa.
Wildlife protection practices: E.g Bishnoi Tribes protect animals such as blackbuck, chinkara etc