Introduction
India observes Janjatiya Gaurav Divas every year on 15 November to honour the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda (1874)—the iconic tribal freedom fighter who led the Ulgulan movement. The year 2024–25 is being celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. A special fortnight from 1–15 November highlights tribal leaders’ contributions and celebrates the cultural heritage of India’s tribal communities.
Key Takeaways
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- 11 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums being established across states.
- 4 museums already inaugurated (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh).
- ₹257.94 crore (Gujarat) is the largest museum project.
- Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Museum (Raipur) built at ₹53.13 crore with 650 sculptures and 16 galleries.
- Nationwide cultural outreach through EMRS schools, Tribal Research Institutes, and state departments.
- Major digital initiatives: Adi Sanskriti, Adi Vaani, Tribal Digital Repository.
Significance of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
The day honours tribal leaders’ role in India’s anti-colonial resistance—often missing from mainstream history. It celebrates their struggle for self-rule, land rights, identity, and social justice, while showcasing the distinct cultural heritage of 700+ Scheduled Tribe communities across India.
Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum Initiative
The Government of India is establishing 11 museums to document tribal uprisings such as the Munda Ulgulan, Halba Kranti, Bhumkal Kranti, and numerous regional struggles.
Funding Snapshot (Major Museums)
1. Ranchi, Jharkhand – ₹34.22 cr (₹25 cr approved)
2. Rajpipla, Gujarat – ₹257.94 cr (₹50 cr approved)
3. Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh – ₹45 cr (₹25 cr approved)
4. Raipur, Chhattisgarh – ₹53.13 cr (₹42.47 cr approved)
5. Wayanad, Kerala – ₹16.66 cr
6. Chhindwara, MP – ₹40.69 cr
7. Jabalpur, MP – ₹14.39 cr
8. Hyderabad, Telangana – ₹34 cr
Major Tribal Museums
1. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Museum (Raipur, Chhattisgarh)
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- Cost: ₹53.13 crore
- Features: 650 sculptures, 16 galleries, digital projections, RFID screens.
- Highlights uprisings such as Halba Kranti, Tarapur, Bhopalpattanam, Bhumkal Kranti.
- Narrates the life of Narayan Singh, who rebelled in 1856–57 and was executed on 10 December 1857.
2. Birsa Munda Tribal Museum (Ranchi, Jharkhand)
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- Inaugurated in 2021.
- Chronicles the Ulgulan (1899–1900), his fight for Khuntkatti land rights, and his martyrdom at age 25.
3. Badal Bhoi Museum (Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh)
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- Inaugurated 2024.
- Depicts his 1923 protest, repeated arrests, and martyrdom in 1940.
4. Raja Shankar Shah & Raghunath Shah Museum (Jabalpur, MP)
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- Inaugurated 2024.
- Showcases their role in 1857 resistance and their execution on 18 September 1858.
- Both used poetry as a form of anti-colonial assertion.
Other Government Initiatives Promoting Tribal Culture
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- Adi Sanskriti Project: 100 digital courses, 5,000 documents on tribal heritage.
- Adi Vaani (AI Translation Tool): Supports Mundari, Bhili, Gondi, Santhali, Garo, Kui languages.
- Tribal Digital Repository: Online archive of tribal research resources.
- Oral Literature & Varnamala Initiative: Documentation of folklore, stories, rhymes.
- Indigenous Knowledge Research: Studies on healing, agriculture, arts, Adivasi languages.
- Aadi Mahotsav: National tribal festival celebrating crafts, cuisine, entrepreneurship.
- Craft Melas & Cultural Events: Promote tribal art forms and exhibitions.
Conclusion
These efforts reinforce the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, celebrating unity in diversity and recognising the foundational role of tribal communities in India’s freedom movement.
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