What wasBirsa’s vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a visionappealed to the people of the region?
What wasBirsa’s vision of a golden age? Why do you think such a visionappealed to the people of the region?
Birsatalked about a golden age, a satyug,an age of truth in which, like in the past, the tribal people wouldlive a good life, construct embankments, tap natural springs, planttrees and orchards and practise cultivation to earn their living. Hetalked of an age in which the tribals would not kill one another andwould live an honest life. His golden age consisted of a reformedtribal society in which there was no place for vices like liquor,uncleanliness, witchcraft and sorcery, and outside forces like themissionaries, Hindu landlords, moneylenders, traders and theEuropeans.
Thisvision was appealing to the tribalpeople as all the vices and outside forces that Birsa talked aboutwere indeed thought of by everyone as the root causes of their miseryand suffering.
Birsatalked about a golden age, a satyug,an age of truth in which, like in the past, the tribal people wouldlive a good life, construct embankments, tap natural springs, planttrees and orchards and practise cultivation to earn their living. Hetalked of an age in which the tribals would not kill one another andwould live an honest life. His golden age consisted of a reformedtribal society in which there was no place for vices like liquor,uncleanliness, witchcraft and sorcery, and outside forces like themissionaries, Hindu landlords, moneylenders, traders and theEuropeans.
Thisvision was appealing to the tribalpeople as all the vices and outside forces that Birsa talked aboutwere indeed thought of by everyone as the root causes of their miseryand suffering.
