Consider the following statements with reference to the ‘Ulgulan’:

1. It occurred in the Chotanagpur region.

2. Chakra Bisoi was the main leader of the movement.

3. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed as a result of the Ulgulan revolt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution

● Statement 1 is correct: Birsa Munda Revolt or The Ulgulan (‘Great Tumult’) as this movement was called, and which was aimed at getting independence establishing a Munda Raj, went on in phases right into the twentieth century. The movement of the Munda tribes occurred in SInghbhum and Ranchi districts of Chotanagpur region. ● Statement 2 is incorrect: In the 1890s, Birsa Munda emerged at the head of a movement. With the coming of the British, the traditional ways of the tribals both with regard to their social customs and with regard to land were drastically affected as the British policies introduced the zamindari system with the new classes of landlords and tenants. The revolt broke out in December 1899 and was directed against the dikus who included Christian missionaries as well as the much hated landlords, contractors, police, and government officials. ● Statement 3 is correct: The government decided to abolish the compulsory begar system and passed the Tenancy Act of 1903 under which the Mundas’ Khuntkatti system was recognised. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in 1908.