Answer: (C) Birsa Munda

Explanation

Birsa Munda was a great tribal freedom fighter and social reformer who led the Munda Ulgulan (Great Tumult) against British rule in the Chotanagpur region (present-day Jharkhand) during 1899–1900.

His followers regarded him as “Dharti Aba” (Father of the Earth) and believed him to be a divinely inspired leader. He fought against British exploitation, missionary influence, and the zamindari system, while seeking to restore the traditional land rights of the tribal people.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Birsa Munda
• Title: Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth)
• Movement: Munda Ulgulan (1899–1900)
• Region: Chotanagpur (present-day Jharkhand)
• Community: Munda tribe
• Died: 9 June 1900 in Ranchi Jail
• Related law: His movement contributed to the enactment of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, which protected tribal land rights.

Answer: (B) Bhagirath Manjhi

Explanation

The Kherwar Movement, also known as the Safa Hor Movement, was led by Bhagirath Manjhi among the Santhal tribe in the 1870s (mainly in present-day Jharkhand and adjoining areas).

The movement aimed at:

• Religious and social reform among the Santhals.
• Purification of tribal customs (hence the name Safa Hor, meaning “pure people”).
• Resistance to the exploitation by zamindars, moneylenders, and the British administration.

Bhagirath Manjhi proclaimed himself as the rightful ruler of the Santhals and encouraged his followers to refuse payment of unjust taxes and rents.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Bhagirath Manjhi
• Movement: Kherwar (Safa Hor) Movement
• Period: 1870s
• Tribe: Santhal
• Objectives:
  • Social and religious reform
  • Protection of tribal rights
  • Resistance against exploitation by zamindars and British authorities

Remember the Leaders of Important Tribal Movements

Answer: (B) Ratan Mani

Explanation

The Reang (Bru) Uprising (1942–43) in Tripura was led by Ratan Mani (Ratan Mani Noatia), a religious and tribal leader. He mobilized the Reang (Bru) tribal community against the feudal administration of the princely state of Tripura, protesting exploitation, excessive taxation, and administrative oppression.

The movement was eventually suppressed by the Tripura State forces.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Ratan Mani
• Movement: Reang (Bru) Uprising
• Period: 1942–43
• Region: Tripura
• Community involved: Reang (Bru) tribe
• Cause: Opposition to feudal exploitation, heavy taxation, and administrative oppression in the princely state of Tripura.

Answer: (C) Madari Pasi

Explanation

The Eka Movement (Unity Movement) was a peasant movement launched in 1921–22 in the Hardoi, Bahraich, Sitapur, and Unnao districts of United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh).

The movement was led by Madari Pasi, a leader from the Pasi community. Initially, it had the support of the Congress and the Khilafat Movement, but later became independent.

The peasants took an “Eka” (unity) oath to:

• Pay only the recorded rent.
• Refuse illegal cesses and forced labour (begar).
• Remain united against oppressive landlords.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Madari Pasi
• Movement: Eka Movement (Unity Movement)
• Period: 1921–22
• Region: United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh)
• Leader: Madari Pasi
• Main Issues:
  • High rents
  • Illegal cesses
  • Oppression by zamindars
  • Forced labour (begar)

Answer: (B) Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi

Explanation

The Khaksar Movement (Khaksar Tehrik) was founded and led by Allama Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi in 1931 at Lahore. The movement aimed at the social, moral, and political upliftment of Indian Muslims through discipline, self-help, equality, and national service.

Members of the movement wore khaki uniforms and carried spades (belchas) as symbols of humility, labour, and service, which gave the movement its name “Khaksar” (meaning humble or one made of dust).

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi
• Movement: Khaksar Movement (Khaksar Tehrik)
• Founded: 1931
• Place: Lahore
• Founder & Leader: Allama Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi
• Symbol: Spade (Belcha)
• Uniform: Khaki dress
• Objective: Social reform, discipline, self-reliance, and service to society.

Answer: (C) Jatra Oraon (Jatra Bhagat)

Explanation

The Tana Bhagat Movement was started by Jatra Oraon (also known as Jatra Bhagat) in 1914 among the Oraon tribe in the Chotanagpur region (present-day Jharkhand).

The movement began as a religious and social reform movement but gradually acquired a political character, opposing British rule, excessive taxation, and forced labour (begar). The Tana Bhagats later became followers of Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, adopting non-violence, khadi, and Swadeshi.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Jatra Oraon (Jatra Bhagat)
• Movement: Tana Bhagat Movement
• Started: 1914
• Region: Chotanagpur (Jharkhand)
• Tribe: Oraon
• Nature of movement:
  • Religious and social reform
  • Opposition to taxes and forced labour
  • Later associated with Gandhian non-violence

Answer: (D) Haji Shariatullah

Explanation

The Faraizi Movement was started by Haji Shariatullah in 1818 in Eastern Bengal (present-day Bangladesh). It was a religious and socio-economic reform movement among the Muslim peasantry.

The movement urged Muslims to perform the Faraiz (obligatory duties) of Islam and opposed un-Islamic practices, as well as the oppression of zamindars, indigo planters, and the colonial administration.

After the death of Haji Shariatullah, the movement was led by his son Dudu Miyan (Muhsinuddin Ahmad), under whom it became more agrarian and anti-zamindari in character.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Haji Shariatullah
• Movement: Faraizi Movement
• Started: 1818
• Region: Eastern Bengal
• Succeeded by: Dudu Miyan (Muhsinuddin Ahmad)
• Objectives:
  • Purification of Islamic practices
  • Protection of Muslim peasants
  • Opposition to zamindari oppression

Answer: (B) A Peasant movement

Explanation

The Eka Movement (Unity Movement) was a peasant movement that took place in 1921–22 in the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh). It was led by Madari Pasi and emerged due to the exploitation of peasants by zamindars, high rents, illegal cesses, and forced labour (begar).

Initially, the movement had the support of the Congress and the Khilafat Movement, but it later became an independent peasant agitation.

The name “Eka” means “Unity”, reflecting the peasants’ pledge to remain united against exploitation.

Answer: (A) Munda Uprising

Explanation

Ulgulan, meaning “The Great Tumult” or “The Great Upheaval”, is associated with the Munda Uprising (1899–1900) led by Birsa Munda in the Chotanagpur region (present-day Jharkhand).

The movement was directed against:

• British colonial rule
• Exploitation by zamindars and moneylenders
• Restrictive forest laws
• Alienation of tribal land

The objective was to restore the traditional Munda Raj and protect the land rights of the tribal people.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Munda Uprising
• Leader: Birsa Munda
• Period: 1899–1900
• Region: Chotanagpur (Jharkhand)
• Meaning of “Ulgulan”: The Great Tumult / Great Upheaval
• Title of Birsa Munda: Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth)
• Impact: Led to the enactment of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, which protected tribal land rights.

Answer: (B) Syed Mir Nisar Ali

Explanation

Titumir was the popular name of Syed Mir Nisar Ali, a prominent religious reformer and freedom fighter of Bengal. He led a movement against the oppression of zamindars, British authorities, and the illegal taxes imposed on poor Muslim peasants.

He is best remembered for constructing the famous Bamboo Fort (Bansher Kella) at Narkelberia in present-day North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The British attacked and destroyed the fort on 19 November 1831, during which Titumir was killed.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Syed Mir Nisar Ali
• Popular name: Titumir
• Famous for: Bamboo Fort (Bansher Kella)
• Place: Narkelberia, North 24 Parganas, Bengal
• Fort destroyed: 19 November 1831
• Movement: Resistance against British rule, zamindars, and oppressive taxation
• Influenced by: Syed Ahmad Barelvi and the Wahabi reform movement.

Answer: (C) Santhal Rebellion

Explanation

Sidho Murmu and Kanho Murmu were the principal leaders of the Santhal Rebellion (Santhal Hul) of 1855–56. The rebellion took place in the Damin-i-Koh region (present-day Jharkhand) against the exploitation of the British, zamindars, moneylenders (mahajans), and revenue officials.

The Santhals declared the end of British authority and attempted to establish self-rule before the revolt was brutally suppressed.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Santhal Rebellion
• Leaders: Sidho Murmu & Kanho Murmu
• Period: 1855–56
• Region: Damin-i-Koh (present-day Jharkhand)
• Also known as: Santhal Hul
• Causes:
  • Exploitation by zamindars and moneylenders
  • Oppressive British revenue policies
• Other important leaders: Chand and Bhairav Murmu; Phulo and Jhano Murmu also played notable roles.

Answer: (C) Santhal Movement

Explanation

Kherwari Hul refers to the Kherwar (Kherwari) Movement, a Santhal reform movement led by Bhagirath Manjhi in the 1870s. It is also known as the Safa Hor Movement.

The movement sought:

• Religious and social reform among the Santhals.
• Purification of tribal customs.
• Resistance against the exploitation of zamindars, moneylenders, and the British administration.

The word “Hul” in the Santhali language means “rebellion” or “movement”.

Exam Facts

• Correct Answer: Santhal Movement
• Movement: Kherwar (Kherwari) Hul / Safa Hor Movement
• Leader: Bhagirath Manjhi
• Period: 1870s
• Community: Santhal tribe
• Objective: Social and religious reform, along with resistance to colonial and feudal exploitation.