Gaya Munda – The Commander of Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan

Role and Contribution

• Gaya Munda was the commander in Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan (rebellion) movement.
• He played a crucial role in organizing tribal resistance against British colonial rule.

Family’s Sacrifice

• His one son was hanged by the British.
• Another son was sentenced to life exile.
• His wife Maki Dai, daughters, daughters-in-law, and younger son all received rigorous imprisonment.
• The entire family fought courageously against the British.

Arrest Attempt – 5 January 1900

• On 5 January 1900, a constable from Khunti police station named Saiko came to arrest Gaya Munda.
• A head constable sent two policemen and two watchmen to capture him.
• Gaya Munda was leading a meeting of 80 Ulgulan warriors at his village Etkedih.

Clash with the Police

• During the meeting, Gaya Munda and his soldiers began firing arrows at the British policemen.
• The British police forces fled in two groups.
• Gaya Munda’s son, Sambhar Munda, shot an arrow at a constable named Jairam.

British Crackdown – 6 January 1900

• On 6 January 1900, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Streetfield arrived in Etkedih from Bandgaon.
• He surrounded Gaya Munda’s house with soldiers.
• Streetfield ordered a soldier to enter the house.
• The soldier was attacked by the women of the household with sticks and fled screaming.

Family’s Resistance

• Inside the house, the entire family – wife, sons, daughters-in-law, daughters – were armed with sticks and axes, ready to resist.
• Streetfield demanded their surrender.
• Gaya Munda boldly responded: “This land is mine. The Deputy Commissioner has no right to enter my home. If he does, we will kill him.”

Burning of the House

• Streetfield reported the incident to the Viceroy and Commissioner, explaining the circumstances.
• Eventually, he ordered the house to be set on fire.
• Due to strong winds, the fire spread quickly and forced the family out.

Legal Repression and Punishment

• A total of 348 Mundas were charged in court.
• The trial lasted until December 1900.
• Sentences given:
  • One son: Death by hanging.
  • Elder son, Doka Munda: Life imprisonment.
  • Wife Maki Dai: 2 years of rigorous imprisonment.
  • Two daughters-in-law and daughters: 3 months of imprisonment.
  • Second son, Jaymasih: Exiled from the region.