The Political and Cultural Dimensions of Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan Movement
Keywords:
Birsa Munda, Ulgulan Movement, Tribal Resistance, Colonial India, Cultural Identity, Political StruggleAbstract
This research paper examines the political and cultural dimensions of Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan Movement, a pivotal tribal uprising against British colonial authority in the late nineteenth century. The movement arose in response to systemic exploitation and oppression, particularly land dispossession, bonded labor, and the imposition of foreign administrative structures. Birsa Munda, a charismatic and visionary tribal leader, galvanized the Munda community along with other indigenous groups to reclaim land rights, assert political autonomy, and resist colonial policies that endangered their traditional modes of life. Beyond its political thrust, the Ulgulan Movement embodied a profound cultural revival, as Birsa endeavored to restore indigenous faith practices, reinforce social norms, and reassert a collective tribal identity that colonial domination had eroded. Drawing primarily upon secondary sources, including historical accounts, scholarly analyses, and tribal narratives, this study underscores the dual character of the movement as both a political rebellion and a cultural renaissance. It further explores the enduring legacy of Birsa Munda’s leadership and the significant influence of the Ulgulan Movement on subsequent tribal resistance as well as the broader struggle for India’s independence.
How to cite this article:
Sharma K K, Monika. The Political and Cultural
Dimensions of Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan Movement.
J Adv Res Humani Social Sci 2026; 13(4): 1-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2872.202613
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