Page 45 - NIS English 2021 November 1-15

Kunwar Singh: Who led the Kaloji Narayana Rao: Who

revolution even at the age of 80 revolutionized India with his poems

Born: 13th November 1777, Died: 26th April 1858 Born: 9th September 1914, Died: 13th November 2002

ne of the great warriors, Babu Veer Kunwar aloji Narayana Rao was a freedom
Singh’s name is etched in the annals of fighter, poet and a social activist who is
Ohistory for taking on the British forces Kalso known as 'Kaloji' or 'Kalna'. Kaloji
during India’s First War of Independence (1857) Narayana Rao is also known as 'Praja Kavi'
even at the age of 80. Known for his fierce (poet of the people). Born on 9th September
opposition to injustice and love for freedom, Babu 1914 in Rattihalli village in Karnataka, Rao not
Kunwar Singh was a skilled only led the mass movement
warrior who not only showed KUNWAR SINGH RAO WAS against the Nizam but also
indomitable courage against WAS ALSO ASSOCIATED actively participated in the
British rule but also worked INVOLVED IN WITH MANY Indian freedom struggle. He
religiously for the unity and SEVERAL PUBLIC RIGHTS was also a great inspiration
integrity of the country. Born SOCIAL WORKS MOVEMENTS for the youth who joined the
on 13th November 1777 in DURING HIS DURING HIS freedom struggle. Throughout
Jagdispur village of Bhojpur his life, he struggled for the
district of Bihar, Kunwar Singh LIFETIME LIFETIME. oppressed and marginalized
took over the responsibility of sections of society. His
his princely state after the death of his father. As commitment towards society is reflected
a child, he was more interested in horse riding, in all his works. He was associated with
fencing and wrestling. He was also skilled in the several movements on public rights and
art of warfare and had mastery in guerilla warfare. socio-economic issues in the Telangana
It is believed that in the jungles of Jagdispur region. He was also a member of the Andhra
lived a saint named 'Basuriya Baba' from whom Pradesh Legislative Council for two years.
Kunwar Singh had learned the lessons of He also served as a member of Andhra
patriotism and independence. This is the reason Saraswati Parishad, Andhra Pradesh Literacy
why Kunwar Singh travelled to many places like Academies and was President of the
Banaras, Mathura, Kanpur and Lucknow to chart Telangana Writers' Association. He was also
out a strategy of rebellion against the British. The associated with Arya Samaj. He also translated
stories of his bravery have become the folklore Urdu poems of eminent poet Khalil Gibran and
of Bihar. In one such incident, a bullet hit one of for this he was awarded the best translation
his hands. It is said that he cut off that hand and award by the state government. Rao was also
threw it into the Ganges. Kunwar Singh was not awarded an honorary doctorate by Kakatiya
only a great warrior but he was also involved in University. In 1992, the Government of India
many social works during his lifetime. This great honored him with the Padma Vibhushan. Rao
hero of the revolt of 1857 died on April 26, 1858. died on 13th November 2002.

New India Samachar November 1-15, 2021 43