Page 40 - NIS English 01-15 July,2023

Nation Amrit Mahotsav

DHAN SINGH GURJAR:

HE FREED OVER 800 PRISONERS

Born: 1820, Died: July 4, 1857

han Singh Gurjar, known as Meerut's A committee was formed to investigate the
Dextraordinary Kotwal, was born in 1820 origins of the rebellion in Meerut and uncover
in Panchali village, Meerut, United Provinces clues. Dhan Singh Gurjar was described as
(modern-day Uttar Pradesh). He belonged the main accused and leader of the rebellion
to the powerful Zamindar family of Gujjars. in the committee's report. In order to avenge
Dhan Singh, also known as Dhunna Singh, the rebellion, the British attacked Dhan
was a key figure in the 1857 freedom struggle. Singh's village of Panchali, killing 400 people.
When East India Company soldiers refused On July 4, 1857, the British sentenced Dhan
to use cartridges on May 9, Singh to death and hanged
1857, they were kicked out of him. In 2018, a statue of Dhan
the army and imprisoned. On In 2018, a statue of Singh Gurjar was unveiled
May 10, villagers from across Dhan Singh Gurjar at the Sadar Police Station
the district gathered around (Meerut), where he used to be
the Meerut police station to was unveiled at the a Kotwal, in recognition of his
demand the soldiers' release. Sadar Police Station heroic leadership.
Dhan Singh was the head of On March 11, 2023, Vice
Kotwali at the time. It was his (Meerut), where he President Jagdeep Dhankhar
duty as Kotwal of that area to used to be a Kotwal, unveiled the statue of martyr
protect the city. Many of his in recognition of his Kotwal Dhan Singh Gurjar in
officers, however, deserted to Meerut. "When I came to the
join the rebels. Dhan Singh heroic leadership. police training centre and
was inspired by these events unveiled the statue of martyr
to join the revolution and lead it from the Kotwal Dhan Singh Gurjar, many thoughts
front. He set free over 800 people who had were running through my mind," he said in
been imprisoned. He joined forces with other the programme. I would like to thank his
revolutionaries to fight for freedom. This mother and father. It gives me great pleasure
act of his sparked a new flame within the to dedicate his statue." At a function
country. commemorating Dhan Singh Gurjar in
Throughout the city, the revolutionaries Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra
looted and destroyed everything belonging Modi said that many such warriors, including
to the British. Nonetheless, the British army Kotwal Dhan Singh and Jograj Singh, had
crushed the rebellion with all of its might. laid down their lives for the country.

38 New India Samachar July 1-15, 2023