Volume-1 | March - 2026

BHUMIJ

Quarterly Newsletter of West Bengal Bhumij Development Board, Government of West Bengal

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Board Members
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Articles
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Poems
About

About This Publication

In the first newsletter "Bhumij" published through the West Bengal Bhumij Development Board under the management of the Tribal Development Department of the Government of West Bengal, the socio-economic position of the Bhumij community across the state has been highlighted. Besides, through this, various activities, protection of Bhumij language, heritage, and culture, folk art, education, and sports, including various technical and vocational training related matters, will be highlighted.

Origins

Etymology & Meaning

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Bhūmi — The Earth

Deriving from Sanskrit "bhūmi", meaning land or soil. It literally translates to "one who is born from the soil," emphasizing their autochthonous nature.

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Bhūm-jo — From Bhum

Scholarly interpretations suggest "Bhūm-jo" signifies people originating specifically from the ancient "Bhum" territories of the eastern plateau.

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Original Inhabitants

British ethnographic records by Dalton highlight the Bhumij as the primal inhabitants of Dhalbhum and Barabhum, predating major migrations.

Territorial Legacy

Geographic Core

Eastern Heartland

Interactive heritage map showcasing the primary settlement corridors of the Bhumij tribe. Hover over regions to explore.

Population: --

Jharkhand

Primal Heartland

West Bengal

Cultural Heartland & Leadership

Odisha

Ancestral Hills

North East

Tea Garden Belt

Empowerment

Government Initiatives

Policies and programs designed to protect, preserve, and empower the Bhumij community.

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Scheduled Tribe Status

Constitutional recognition in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, ensuring legal and social safeguards.

  • Land Rights Protection
  • Job Reservation
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Education Support

Comprehensive scholarship programs and Eklavya residential schools for academic excellence.

  • Post-Matric Scholarships
  • Higher Education Grants
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Language Vitality

Recognition of Bhumij as a second state language (2019) and active promotion of the Ol Onal script.

  • Ol Onal Script Promotion
  • State Language Status
Spiritual & Social

Culture & Heritage

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Language

Bhumij is a refined Austroasiatic language of the Munda subfamily, utilizing the unique Ol Onal script for its literary expression.

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Firkal Art

A legendary ancient martial art tradition representing the warrior heritage and rhythmic combat mastery of the Bhumij people.

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Sarnaism

The core spiritual path, centered on nature worship and the preservation of sacred groves, coexisting harmoniously with traditional practices.

Ages Passed

Historical Timeline

ANC
Ancient

Original Inhabitants

Primal establishing of territories in Dhalbhum and Patkum.

COL
Colonial Era

Rise of Nobility

Epoch of Zamindars and Rajas among the Bhumij aristocracy.

WAR
1766 – 1816

Epoch of Resistance

Chuar Rebellion: Uprising against East India Company policies.

MOD
1956

Tribal Recognition

Formal recognition of Bhumij as Scheduled Tribe.

Eternal Leaders

Notable People

R

Rani Shiromani

Freedom Fighter

Queen of Karnagarh, legendary leader of the Chuar Rebellion.

G

G. N. Singh

Revolutionary

Spearheaded the Bhumij Revolt against colonial land policies.

G

Gambhir S. Mura

Padma Shri

World-renowned exponent of the tribal Chhau dance.

D

Durjan Singh

Rebellion Leader

A key strategist in the resistance against British forces.

Messages

Greeting Messages

Messages from distinguished dignitaries

Knowledge

Articles & History

History, culture, and heritage of the Bhumij community

Literature

Poems & Literature

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Bar Kaji (Listen O People)

Listen to my words O people,
The elders of our first village,
The elders of our first village.
Let us all walk together as one.
Mountain rocks and trees are our home
We all say this.
Let us all walk together as one.
Our words and our language
We speak them with pride.
Just like the father knows the child
We shall cherish each other,
Listen to my words O people,
The elders of our first village,
Let us all walk together as one.
Our language is our identity
We shall not let it fade.
Our rules, religion, dance and songs
They are ours alone,
We shall not let them fade
Let us all walk together as one.
Listen to my words O people,
The elders of our first village,
Let us all walk together as one.
Let us all walk as one,
Let us all walk as one.
— Birendra Sardar
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Murukh Baha (Palash Flower)

Winter has arrived,
The Murukh flower has bloomed.
With its bright reddish-orange hue,
The whole country is decorated.
It comes with gentle swaying,
In our midst.
It will go to the end of the field,
When the Baha Chadur is over.
It brings beauty to this mortal world,
With its different colors.
After the fun of Chadur,
It goes on its own path.
How many days will love remain,
In our midst.
For those many days love will stay,
In the festive path.
With the color and form of the Murukh flower,
The festive mood is in the heart.
Beneath the Murukh tree,
Let there be dance and song.
Don't knock down the Murukh flower,
Don't trample it.
The honey-sweet nectar of Murukh,
The mountain birds will sip.
Don't cut down the Murukh tree,
Don't break its branches.
Because if there is Murukh flower among us,
It will surely come back next year.
— Sri Nityalal Singh
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Jargi Gama (Monsoon Rain)

Rain, oh rain
So much rain, monsoon rain.
It rains from the morning
It rains till the evening
It rains the whole day
It rains the whole night
Rain, oh rain,
So much rain.
Monsoon rain
Drizzling rain
Splashing rain
Rain in the mountains
Rain in the valleys
Rain in the fields
Rain in the rivers
Rain everywhere
So much rain,
Rain, oh rain.
Monsoon rain
Dark clouds in the sky
New rain everywhere
No one goes out because of the rain
We stay hidden in the huts
Rain, oh rain
So much rain
Monsoon rain
Rain, oh rain
So much rain
Monsoon rain.
— Birendra Sardar
Proceedings

Board Meetings

1
25.09.2014

First Meeting

After thorough discussion among the board members, it was requested to prepare a consolidated list of their proposals and submit them in the next gene

2
28.11.2014

Second Meeting

The list and proposal of the respective settlements must be submitted to PO cum DWOs by 12-11-2014. The money allocated by the government must be tran

3
27.01.2015

Third Meeting

A new bank account has been opened at PO (BCW) office Purulia. The allocated money for 25 Hargali lands was deposited on 02.01.2015. A proposal has be

4
16.06.2015

Fourth Meeting

The process of granting for approved funds according to the plan list is ongoing in various districts. Proposed scheme lists must be submitted within

5
20.09.2015

Fifth Meeting

Member Secretary presents the financial progress report of the approved projects. Emphasis has been requested on projects that have not yet started an

6
29.11.2015

Sixth Meeting

1. For boundary wall construction of Berapal Jaherthan, RS Plot No. 26 of Teilokapur Mouza will be used instead of RS Plot No. 18. 2. Outreach camps f

Board Leadership

Board Members

Sl. Name Designation
1
person
Dr. Godala Kiran Kumar, IAS
Divisional Commissioner, Medinipur Division — Chairman
2
person
Shri Anshuman Adhikari, WBCS
Special Divisional Commissioner — Member Secretary
3
person
Shri Rampada Singh Sardar
Vice Chairman (Ex-Vice Chairman 07/03/2014 - 04/09/2024)
4
person
Shri Nityalal Singh
Vice Chairman
5
person
Shri Dhananjaya Sardar
Vice Chairman
6
person
Shri Nitai Singh Sardar
Member
7
person
Shri Dhananjaya Mura
Member
8
person
Shri Gopal Singh
Member
9
person
Shri Sanjib Singh Sardar
Member
10
person
Shri Paritosh Sardar
Member
11
person
Shri Manotosh Singh
Member
12
person
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Singh Sardar
Member
13
person
Shri Nepal Singh
Member
14
person
Shri Ajay Kumar Bhumij
Member