Tag: freedom

Mangal Pandey

The first freedom fighter and martyr Shree Mangal Pandey was born in village Nagwa District Ballia. He was famous for bravery amongst his colleagues.An english scholar “Fisher” has written that Shri Mangal Pandey was having all qualities of a good soldier. He was so brave and capable to embrace his death peacefully.

According to the records available in Jabalpur museum( general order books). Shri Mangal Pandey was due to be executed on 18th April but he was hanged ten days before i.e. 8th April and it was kept secret. Because english rules were well aware of the fact that if Mangal Pandey remains alive it will endanger British rule.

Thus Mangal Pandey became the first freedom fighter and martyr of 1857. The name of Mangal Pandey became an emblem of revolt against British rule. He was a soldier of the 34th Native Infantry whose attack on a superior officer came to be recognised as the event that sparked India’s First War of Independence. Little is known of his life before that momentous incident but he has been declared a martyr since.

On March 29, 1857, at Barrackpore near Kolkata, Mangal Pandey started an open mutiny, inviting his comrades to join him. Pandey attacked his British sergeant and wounded an adjutant. The office in charge, General Hearsay, noticed that Pandey was in the throes of some sort of ‘religious frenzy’, and ordered a jamadaar to arrest him. The latter refused. Surrounded by guards and European officers, Pandey tried to commit suicide by shooting himself. He was seriously wounded, and promptly arrested. Following a court-martial on April 6, he was hanged at Barrackpore on April 8, 1857. As a collective punishment for his act, the entire regiment was also dismissed.

According to records at the Jabalpur Museum, Pandey was to be executed on April 18. But he was hanged 10 days earlier to prevent the regiment from harbouring ill will against superiors. The English were also aware that news of Pandey’s death could spark more unrest. Going by the date on which he was executed, Mangal Pandey became the first freedom fighter and martyr of 1857. His name has since been synonymous with revolt.

SRI BAISHNABA CHARAN PATNAIK, Freedom Fighter

At: Bajichowk, Dhenkanal Town.  

 Sri Baishnab Charan Patnaik was born on 29.4.1914 in Dhenkanal Town. From his Student life he revolted against corruption and Administration. In 1938 he was nominated as the organising Secretary of Chasimela at Jenapur. From March 1939 to August 1939 for a period of Six months he was imprisioned in Cuttack Jail. From June 1940 to 28th April 1942 for two years he was in Dhenkanal Jail under detention Act. He was released on 28.4.1942 with a condition to remain in his house as prisoner and was ordered to appear in the Police Station everyday. On 9.9.1942 he joined in Quit India movement.  On 26th August 1942 at about 4 A.M., along with other 18 freedom Fighters, he captured Madhi (Kamakhyanagar) Police Station and set fire the Police Station, Govt. Quarters and Offices at Kamakshya Nagar. On 4th September 1942 Thousands of Volunteers under his leadershi, while going to capture Parajang Police Station, Police personel shoot at them and Baisnab Patnaik was injured near Janapada. After his treatment and recovery at Calcutta he came back to Dhenkanal on 26thMarch 1946. In the year 1947 he went to Nilagiri to take leadership of Prajamandal Workers and fought against Raj-Dalas and Nilagiri Raja handed over his Administation to District Magistate, Balasore. On 14.12.1947 he assisted Sardar Ballv Bhai Patel in   Merger of Princely States. He was arrested on 17.3.1948 at Athagarh and sent to Cuttack Jail for Four Years. He was elected as a Member of Orissa Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1956 from Dhenkanal Constituency. He was elected to Loksabha from 1962 to 1967 from Dhenkanal Constituency. Now he is staying at his Residence in Dhenkanal Town.

BRAJAKISHORE DHAL, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT: GANJAIDIHI, DIST: DHENKANAL

Braja Kishore Dhal, the eminent leader of Prajamandal Andolan was born in the village Ganjaidihi. In his youth he joined as Sub- Inspector in thr State Police. He left his job and joined as a leader of Prajamandal Andolan. He became the President pf Prajanandal Andolan. He formed the Swetchha Sevi Bahini and propagated the message of independence among the people of different villages. He was associated with the newspaper Ranaveri in which corruptions of Kings were published. He distributed the magazine in the interior places of Dhenkanal like Chhadesh, Govindpur, and other places. He was arrested from Gholapur of Banki and sent to Cuttack jail.He was imprisoned in Cuttack jail from 1938 to 1939. After the merger, he became the Secretary of District Congress Committee for 10 years. He was   the 1st Chairman of Dhenkanal Zilla Parishad.

SRI BHAJAMANA SAHOO, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT; MANDAPA SAHI, DHENKANAL TOWN

Sri Bhajamana Sahoo joined Dhenkanal Prajamandal Andolan at the age of 21 and took the responsibility to distribute the Krusak Sambad and Ranaveri news papers in the villages in order to create awareness for independence. On 12.6.1938 he fought with the Elephant which encroached the road for public meeting of Prajamandal Andolana at Alasua hata. On 12.8.1938 he was imprisoned for one day. He was again imprisoned from 22.9.1938 to 13.9.1939

SRI BAIDHAR SWAIN, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT-BALIGORAD;PO.KAMAKSHYA NAGAR,DHENKANAL

Sri Baidhar swain was born in the year 1929 and joined the Quit India Movement at the age of 13.At the age of 12 he was associated with Madhi Thana Podi, Kacheri podi, Parjang Thana Gherau, and Chandrapur Thana  podi.He  was imprisoned    in the year 1942 for four year 10 months and 6 days. Now he is residing in the Baligorad residence of Kamakshya nagar.

SRIKANT ROUT, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT-MOTANGA MANGALPUR,DHENKANAL

Srikant Rout took the leadership of  Swechha  Sevi Vahini of Prajamandal Andolan as the Captain in the year 1938. The King of Dhenkanal declared cash award of  Rs. 1000/- to catch Srikant Rout either alive or dead. In the year 1942 during the period of Quite India movement, he was imprisoned with other Freedom Fighters.

RASA BIHARI SAHOO, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT- GUNDURAPASI, GONDIA, DHENKANAL.

Sri Rasa Bihari Sahoo was born in the year 1921 and left the School after Primary Education. He joined Prajamandal Andolana being inspired by late Braja Kishore Dhala and took the responsibility of distributing Ranaveri newspaper among the villagers to give boost to Prajamandal Andolana. He was imprisoned in the year 1938 in Dhenkanal.

DHANESWAR SAHOO, FREEDOM FIGHTER

At/P.o – PINGUA, DHENKANAL

Dhaneswar Sahoo was born on 13.10.1917 in a rich family of Pingua village. He joined Dhenkanal Prajamandal Andolana , when he was a student  of class VIII in B.B.High School. In the year 1938 he was imprisoned for his active participation in Prajamandal Andolana for Six months. After Independence he involved himself in various social welfare activities. He established a minor School( 1947), a high School (1960), a Hospital and Tank in his native place at Pingua. He  worked as President of Grain Gola Society for 14 years and Director of Dhenkanal R.C.M.S for 10 years.

BANSIDHAR MISHRA, FREEDOM FIGHTER

AT-MUKTADEIPUR SASAN, DHENKANAL

Bansidhar Mishra. Was born in the year 1915 in the village Muktadeipur Sasan in a Brahmin family and lost his father at the age of 10. Though he was working as Raj Purohit ,he joined the Prajamandal Andolana. During 1938 to 1939 as an active member, he was given duty to send secret messages to different Prajamandal Units. On 29.09.1938 he was arrested under Indian Criminal Amendment Act for displaying Congress Flag in his bi-cycle. He was convicted by District Magistrate and was sentenced to jail for 6 months.