Special Article: The Nation’s First Digital Museum Dedicated to Tribal Heroes

Just as the tribal hero Bhagwan Birsa Munda is a source of inspiration for tribals across the country, in the same way, Veer Narayan Singh, the landlord of Sonakhan, raised the first call for rebellion against the British in Chhattisgarh. He fought valiantly against their oppressive and exploitative policies and was martyred in the struggle. He is regarded as the first martyr of Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has decided to establish a museum in Nava Raipur to preserve the memories of Veer Narayan Singh and other tribal heroes who fought against the British, and to convey their inspiring contributions to future generations. The entire tribal community feels proud of this historic decision.

Principal Secretary Shri Sonmani Bora informed that a grand and unique museum is being built in Sector 24, Nava Raipur. This will be the first digital museum in India, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹50 crore. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the museum during the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier declared Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary to be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). To bring tribal communities into the mainstream, he launched India’s largest tribal welfare campaigns — the PM Janman Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Dharati Aba Gram Utkarsh Yojana. Through these initiatives, tribal regions are being provided with essential amenities and benefits from central and state government schemes.

The museum will feature a grand memorial to Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, along with vivid depictions of various tribal uprisings in Chhattisgarh — including the Halba Rebellion, Sarguja Rebellion, Bhopalpatnam, Paralkot, Tarapur, Lingagiri, Koi, Meria, Muria, Rani Chauris, Bhumkal, and Sonakhan revolts, as well as the Jhanda Satyagraha and Jungle Satyagraha. These events have been represented in 14 dedicated sections. The state-of-the-art digital museum includes VFX technology, projection systems, digital screens, and QR code scanning facilities for visitors.

At the museum’s entrance, there will be intricately carved panels by artists from Sarguja, along with replicas of 1,400-year-old Sal, Mahua, and Saja trees, whose leaves digitally portray stories of the 14 tribal revolts. The trees will appear to narrate these tales like motion films. The museum also includes a selfie point, facilities for differently-abled visitors, special arrangements for senior citizens, tribal art-decorated flooring, and statues of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Shaheed Gend Singh, and Rani Gaidinliu, serving as sources of inspiration for visitors.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that this museum will become a global center of Chhattisgarh’s tribal culture. Visitors will feel a deep sense of pride learning about the valor of tribal heroes. It will serve as a living memory of the ancestors of the tribal community and a source of inspiration for the younger generation.