What is Bishnoi Movement?

Since the 15th century, the Bishnoi movement has been a group of environmental protection initiatives in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India. The group, which considers preserving the environment a religious obligation, has developed into a significant force in Indian politics at the municipal and federal levels.

Who is the founder of the Bishnoi Movement?

Hinduism’s Bishnoi sect is based on 29 tenets, the majority of which encourage environmental protection. Bishnois of Rajasthan expressly forbid animal and plant exploitation. In the western Rajasthan region of India’s Marwar (Jodhpur) desert, in the year 1485 A.D., Guru Maharaj Jambaji founded the religion.

When did the Bishnoi Movement begin?

The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan began the Bishnoi Movement some 260 years ago, towards the beginning of the 18th century. Rajasthan’s ecological ideology has historically been expressed and powerfully represented by the Bishnoi movement.

Is Chipko Movement and Bishnoi Movement the same?

The chipko movement refers to hugging and defending trees. The well-known “Chipko Movement” was influenced by the real-life incident of the Amrita Devi Bishnoi movement, who resisted allowing the king’s men to cut down trees in her hamlet. Her head had been cut off. To stop the Maharaja of Jodhpur from felling green trees in Khejarli around Marwar, Rajasthan, Amrita Devi and her three daughters Asu, Ratni, and Bhagu made the great sacrifice in 1730. She died defending the Khejri trees, along with moreover 363 other Bishnois.

Why was Bishnoi Movement started?

Amrita Devi Bishnoi is the leader of the Bishnoi movement , a social movement. The campaign was started in response to the kings of Marwar’s extensive deforestation operation in 1485, which came after a devastating drought that lasted seven years.

What has made Amrita Devi Bishnoi well-known?

Social worker Amrita Devi Bishnoi gave her life, along with 363 others, in 1731 to preserve the Khejri tree in the Khejrali village, which is located close to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This was referred to as the Bishnoi movement.

What are the objectives of the Bishnoi Movement?

Some of the objectives of the Bishnoi Movements include the preservation of animal husbandry and biodiversity, opposition to tree-cutting, promoting excellent personal hygiene to protect health, and providing an eco-friendly social life for the community. ☛ Also Read: What are the Main Objectives of the Consumer Protection Act? What are the Main Objectives of the Conservation of Biodiversity?

What was the importance of the Bishnoi Movement?

The Bishnoi movement is important because this movement was a protest that tried to stop trees from being cut down on the king’s instructions. However, Amrita Devi, a woman who gave her life to defend those chopping down trees, is arguably the person for whom it is most remembered in history.

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Bishnoi Movement: History, Objectives, Bishnois of Rajasthan Movement

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The Bishnoi Movement began 260 years ago in Rajasthan in the early 18th century by the community of Bishnois of Rajasthan. A significant number of people from 84 villages, headed by a woman named Amrita Devi, sacrificed their lives to prevent the trees from being cut down by instructions of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. The Bishnoi movement has historically been an expressive and powerful representation of ecological philosophy in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi sect was a religious organization in India founded in 1485 by Guru Jambeshwar Ji Maharaj. It originates in Rajasthan, India.

The Bishnoi Movement is an important topic for the UPSC exam, and it is covered in the syllabus of the environmental section. To understand the movement’s objective, success, and background of Bishnois of Rajasthan, we have provided thorough UPSC notes below for better learning and understanding.

Table of content

1. Bishnoi Movement
2. Who are Bishnois of Rajasthan?
3. Origin of Bishnoi Community
4. Objectives of the Bishnoi Movement
5. Success of Bishnoi Movement
6. Bishnoi Movement UPSC

Bishnoi Movement

The Bishnoi movement was among the earliest groups to campaign for environmental preservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable living. The Bishnoi are regarded as India’s first environmentalists. This movement was the first in the history of environmental movements to embrace the technique of hugging and embracing trees to protect them.

One of the first initiatives for environmental protection is the well-known Bishnoi movement or the Amrita Devi movement. When Jodhpur’s King Abhay Singh was constructing his new palace in the 1730s, he ordered his soldiers to clear the trees in the village of Khejarli for wood. Amrita Devi fought for the survival of trees by clinging to them as a sign of protest as she stood against the military. Asu, Ratni, and Bhagu, three of her daughters, supported their mother. The other town residents joined them in standing up for the trees and circling their trunks in support. Without stopping to listen to the people’s requests, the soldiers kept felling trees.

Bishnoi Movement PDF

The Bishnoi community’s cultural beliefs, which are reflected in their sect’s tenets and advocate the preservation of trees and wildlife, were the primary factor in their opposition to tree cutting. Another factor or a cause of the Bishnoi movement was their reliance on the forest for the source of fuelwood and fodder, which was directly tied to their rural way of life. Bishnoi from Khejarli and nearby villages joined the protest and hugged these Khejri trees one by one to save them from being cut down at the possibility of losing their lives.

In this movement, 363 Bishnois of Rajasthan gave their life to safeguard the Khejri trees in the Rajasthani village of Khejarli. The Bishnoi movement had a profound impact on people’s minds and memories, leaving an ever-lasting impression.

Who are Bishnois of Rajasthan?

The Bishnois are a religious sect from India that is strongly committed to protecting the environment, including animals. The group was established in 1485 AD and had 29 tenets, also referred to as the 29 principles as well as commandments that Guru Jambeshwar had taught. Livestock and agriculture are the two main pillars of the Bishnoi community subsistence economy.

They are known by the name Vishnoi and uphold the idea of conserving plants and animals. The Bishnoi people strongly oppose using animal products for entertainment or food. According to their philosophy, every living thing whether an animal or a plant is sacred and should not be killed by people. Because of their sustainable lifestyle & attention to environmental conservation, they have been referred to as the world’s first ecological community because of their sustainable lifestyle and attention to environmental conservation. It is prohibited for community members to cut down trees or go hunting.

The Bishnois of Rajasthan specialise in dairy farming and are well-known for their high-quality dairy products & soap-making abilities. In addition, they grow cotton, jowar, millet, wheat, and bajra.

Origin of Bishnoi Community

By Guru Jambheshwar, the Bishnoism sect was established. To be followed by the sect, he established 29 precepts. Bish is equivalent to 20, while noi is equivalent to 9. Bishnoi means twenty-nine, as a result. The name “BISHNOI” would be given to those who sincerely adhere to the 29 ideals. Western India, particularly Rajasthan, is home to the non-violent Bishnoi community, which worships the environment.

Objectives of the Bishnoi Movement

There were four main objectives of the Bishnoi movement, which are as follows:

To protect the region’s biodiversity by guaranteeing a healthy, eco-friendly social life for the community.
To encourage proper personal cleanliness, fundamental health, and responsible social engagement.
Another objective of the Bishnoi movement is to campaign against the removal of such trees and support anti-deforestation movements.
To protect biological variety and promote responsible animal husbandry.

Success of Bishnoi Movement

Following this incident of the Bishnoi movement, the Maharaja issued a stringent royal proclamation prohibiting tree chopping in all Bishnoi villages. The history of Bishnoism, which began around 1730 A.D., is where the idea of embracing trees and tree huggers originated. The Chipko Movement of the 20th century, led by Sunder Lal Bahuguna, was inspired by the Bishnoi movement and sacrifice. Additionally, the governments of Rajasthan & India presented the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Smrithi Paryavaran Award and the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award in recognition of their contributions towards the preservation of nature and the protection of wildlife, respectively.

Bishnoi Movement UPSC

One of the first movements for environmental conservation in modern times is the Bishnoi Movement. This movement influenced the Chipko movement in 1970. The Bishnoi Movement Objective and Success have been discussed in detail in this article, and understanding them helps prepare for the Environment section for the UPSC exam. Candidates should know the important information about the Bishnoi Movement that is provided below for a better understanding of this topic.

The destruction of plants and animals is strictly forbidden by the Bishnois of Rajasthan.
In the western Rajasthan region of India, Guru Maharaj Jambaji founded the denomination in the Marwar in 1485 AD.
Amrita Devi Bishnoi stood her ground and forbade the king’s troops from felling the trees. Her head had been cut off.
More than 300 individuals died for refusing to submit and attempting to save the trees.

Important Notes for UPSC
Lachit Borphukan	Local Winds
Bhagat Singh	Commissions and their Recommendations
Demonetisation	Scheduled Tribes
Important Boundary Lines of India	Disinvestment Policy
Tribes of India	Consumer Protection Act 2019