Question

UPSC Prelims 2020 Question:

With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?

  1. 1. The Revolt of 1857
  2. 2. The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
  3. 3. The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60
  4. 4. Birsa Munda's Revolt of 1899-1900

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4: Birsa Munda's Revolt of 1899-1900

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

  • Birsa Munda was born in 1875 in Khunti district of Jharkhand. He was an Indian tribal freedom fighter, and folk hero who belonged to the Munda tribe. He is known to have mobilised the tribal community against the British and had also forced the colonial officials to introduce laws protecting the land rights of the tribals.

  • The Mundas traditionally enjoyed a preferential rent rate as the 'khuntkattidar' or the original clearer of the forest. But in the course of the 19th century, they had seen this "khuntkatti land system" being eroded by the jagirdars and thikadars coming as merchants and moneylenders which led to the rebellion.

  • Munda Rebellion took place in the 19th century. Birsa Munda led this movement in the region south of Ranchi in 1899-1900. The 'Ulgulan', meaning 'Great Tumult', sought to establish Munda Raj and independence. 

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: History| Peasant Revolts

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