Which of the following is a tribal revolt led by the leader Birsa from Ranchi, which began as a religious movement and later turned to fight against the colonial land settlements, moneylenders and forest contractors?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) Munda uprising
Explanation:
· The Munda Uprising, also known as the Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), was one of the most significant tribal rebellions in Indian history.
· It was led by Birsa Munda in the region south of Ranchi (Chotanagpur plateau) between 1899 and 1900.
· The movement began as a religious reformation where Birsa claimed to be a messenger of God and encouraged his people to worship one God ( Singbonga), give up liquor, and clean their villages.
· It soon turned into an armed struggle against the Dikus (outsiders including moneylenders, landlords, and the British government) who were destroying the traditional Khuntkatti (joint land-holding) system of the Mundas.
Information Booster:
· Objective: The ultimate goal was to establish a Munda Raj and drive out the British.
· Outcome: Although the rebellion was suppressed after Birsa's death in jail (1900), it forced the colonial government to pass the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908. This act prohibited the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
· Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: The birth anniversary of Birsa Munda (November 15) is now celebrated across India as 'Tribal Pride Day'.
Additional Knowledge (Incorrect Options):
Sannyasi revolt (Option a)
· This took place in Bengal (approx. 1763–1800). It was led by Hindu Sannyasis and Muslim Fakirs who were aggrieved by the British restrictions on visiting holy places and the harsh economic conditions following the famine of 1770.
Wahabi movement (Option b)
· This was an Islamic revivalist movement (19th century) founded by Syed Ahmed Barelvi. It aimed to purify Islam and centered its political activities in Patna and the North-West Frontier, not the tribal belts of Jharkhand.
Kuka rebellion (Option c)
· This occurred in Punjab and was led by the Namdhari Sikhs (under Baba Ram Singh). It started as a religious purification movement in Sikhism and turned into an anti-British struggle involving the boycott of British goods.