What was Dombari Buru massacre, in which 400 people killed? Bloodier than Jallianwala Bagh, it took place in...

The Dombari Buru hill in Jharkhand stands as a poignant reminder of one of the bloodiest massacres in India's fight for independence. While the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is widely known, the tragic events that unfolded on January 9, 1900, at Dombari Buru were even larger in scale and equally heartbreaking.

On the 125th anniversary of this massacre, hundreds gathered at the martyrs' pillar on the hill to honor the sacrifices of the Munda tribals. They fought courageously under the leadership of Birsa Munda, a revolutionary tribal leader who declared “Abua Raj” (self-rule) as a stand against British oppression.

Alarmed by this tribal uprising, the British surrounded Dombari Buru and launched a brutal attack. Armed with nothing but bows and arrows, the Mundas resisted fiercely but faced a devastating onslaught. While British records claim only 12 deaths, tribal history scholars estimate that over 400 lives were lost.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren paid tribute on the anniversary, stating, “In the fight for India’s independence, countless brave men of Jharkhand sacrificed their lives. Yet, their sacrifices often remain buried in history. The Dombari Buru massacre is a tragic chapter where hundreds of warriors gave their lives to protect Jharkhand’s identity, rights, and natural resources. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Research conducted by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) highlights the atrocities of that day. Martyrs like Hadi Munda, Majhia Munda, and Hopen Manjhi are remembered through folklore and inscriptions in the region. Reports even suggest that two of Birsa Munda’s close associates, Hathiram Munda and Singrai Munda, were buried alive by the British.

The massacre, led by British officers A. Forbes, Colonel Westmoreland, and H.C. Straitfield, left Dombari hill soaked in blood, with the nearby Tajna river reportedly turning red.

Despite the British attack, Birsa Munda managed to evade capture for weeks. However, he was eventually arrested on February 3, 1900, while asleep in the forests of Chaibasa. He later died under mysterious circumstances in Ranchi jail on June 9, 1900.

Today, Dombari Buru remains a symbol of the resilience and sacrifice of the tribal community in India’s struggle for freedom, inspiring generations to honor their bravery and fight for justice.