Q. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Trumult is the description of which of the following events?
(a) The Revolt of 1857
(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60
(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
Correct Answer – (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
Question from UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper
Explanation:
Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
The term “Ulgulan,” or the Great Tumult, specifically refers to the rebellion led by Birsa Munda in the late 19th century. This movement aimed at establishing Munda Raj and removing British government and missionaries from their region. It was a significant tribal uprising against the British colonial rule and the exploitative practices of landlords and missionaries in the region that is now part of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha in India.
Birsa Munda, a tribal leader and a freedom fighter, mobilized the tribal community, particularly the Mundas, against the British Raj and their policies that were detrimental to the tribal way of life. His movement not only demanded the end of British rule but also sought to restore the traditional land rights of the tribals, which had been eroded by British land revenue policies and the activities of Christian missionaries.