Page 51 - NIS English 16-28 Feb 2022

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav India@75

REVOLUTIONARY BUDHU BHAGAT, THE ARCHITECT OF 'KOL REBELLION'

Born: 17 February 1792, Death: 13 February 1832 Seeing the organizational

udhu Bhagat was born in an Oraon family of ability of Budhu Bhagat, people
BSilagai village in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. used to consider him as an
He fought against the cannons and guns of the British incarnation of a deity.
with unconventional weapons
like axe. He displayed who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause
immense courage and on his appeal. He taught the tribals to fight for their
stewardship in initiating the rights against any injustice. He trained the tribals
Kol rebellion in 1832 against in guerrilla warfare and defeated the English army
the brutality of British rule in several times taking advantage of the dense forests
the tribal areas. He used to and inaccessible hills. His family members including
practice swordsmanship and his sons, sisters supported him fiercely in the fight
archery since childhood. He against the British. Budhu Bhagat's military base
waged war against the British was amidst dense forests on the top of the Chogari
sycophantic landlords and brokers. He always mountain where strategies against the British were
carried an axe with him. Seeing the organizational made. He became a big threat to the British who
ability of Budhu Bhagat, people used to consider him announced a reward of one thousand rupees on his
as an incarnation of the deity. head, which was considered a huge amount in those
He even organized the masses at Silli, Choreya, days. To capture Budhu Bhagat and his companions,
Pithoriya, Lohardaga, and Palamu. It is said that the British surrounded Silagai village on 13 February
Budhu Bhagat had a great influence on the people 1832 and opened fire. In this firing, Budhu Bhagat
of Ranchi and the surrounding areas of Chotanagpur was martyred while fighting for the country.

A LEADING FREEDOM FIGHTER WHO WAS ALSO THE

ARCHITECT OF 'PANCHYATI RAJ'

Born: 19 February 1900, Death: 19 September 1965 Balwant Rai Mehta lost his life in
Balwantrai Mehta, who was the second Chief the Pakistani Air Force strike while
Minister of Gujarat, was born in a middle-class going from Mithapur to Kutch.
family in Bhavnagar. At the age of just 20, he
started participating in the Indian freedom struggle.
He resented the colonial 3 years in prison for participating in the Quit India
repression and fought tooth Movement and during British rule, he remained in jail
and nail against it. Balwantrai for about 7 years. In 1957, the committee formed
Mehta completed his studies under his chairmanship submitted its report on the
in Bachelor of Arts but democratic decentralization of the country which
refused to take a degree from we know today as Panchayati Raj. The three-tier
the colonial government. He Panchayati Raj system was implemented in India
founded the Bhavnagar Praja on the basis of the report of the Balwantrai Mehta
Mandal in Gujarat in 1921 Committee. The same committee had recommended
to give further impetus to giving full control over planning and administration
the freedom struggle. He participated in the Civil to the local bodies. It is because of his far-sighted
Disobedience Movement from 1930 to 1932. Along thinking that today the deprived sections of society
with this, he also took an active part in the famous are getting their dues. Due to his efforts to make
Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 against the imposition of the Panchayati Raj system powerful, Balwantrai
unjust taxes after which he emerged as an important Mehta is known as the 'Architect of the Panchayati
leader of this movement. He was sentenced to Raj System'.

New India Samachar February 16-28, 2022 49