Birsa Munda: Identifying the INCORRECT Statement

The question asks to identify the INCORRECT statement regarding the life of the tribal leader Birsa Munda. Let's analyze each statement:

Statement Analysis

• Statement 1: "He urged people to destroy the Europeans."

  Birsa Munda led a significant uprising (known as the 'Ulgulan') against the British colonial government and the 'Dikus' (outsiders/non-tribals) who were exploiting the Munda people. While the term 'destroy' might be strong, his movement was fundamentally anti-British and involved resistance against their rule and economic exploitation.

• Statement 2: "He advised his people to bring back the Golden Age of Mundas."

  Birsa Munda aimed to restore the traditional Munda system of self-governance ('Munda Raj') and bring back a period of prosperity and autonomy, often referred to as the 'Golden Age'. This was a key objective of his socio-religious and political movement.

• Statement 3: "Birsa was born in the forests of Madhya Pradesh."

  This statement is factually incorrect. Birsa Munda was born in Ulihatu village, near Birbanki, within the **Chotanagpur Plateau region**. This region is predominantly located in the present-day state of **Jharkhand**, not Madhya Pradesh.

• Statement 4: "He had joined the local missionary school."

  Birsa Munda received some education at a local missionary school run by missionaries. This exposure influenced his understanding of the colonial powers and their methods.

Conclusion

Based on historical records, Birsa Munda's birthplace is associated with the Chotanagpur Plateau (Jharkhand). Therefore, the statement claiming his birth in the forests of Madhya Pradesh is INCORRECT.