The social movement for Jharkhand had a charismatic leader in Birsa Munda, an adivasi who led a major uprising against the British. After his death, Birsa became an important icon of the movement.

The issues against which the leaders of the movement in Jharkhand agitated were:

1. Acquisition of land for large irrigation projects and firing ranges;
2. Survey and settlement operations, which were held up, camps closed down, etc.
3. Collection of loans, rent and cooperative dues, which were resisted;
4. Nationalisation of forest produce which they boycotted.