Freedom Fighters Of Jharkhand

TILKA MANJHI:
Tilka Manjhi was born in a Santhal family in 1750.He was perhaps the first leader who tried to rally the Santhals behind him and organize an upsurge against the British. He began to organize the people at Bancharijor near Bhagalpur against the taxation and local administration of the British. Cleveland arranged a major military campaign against him but he could not succed.Tilka killed Cleveland on 13th January 1784 and in retaliation the British government launched an offensive campaign against him. He carried on guerilla warfare but was soon caught and executed by the British.Tilka emerged as the first capable tribal leader who fought against the British rule.

BUDDHU BHAGAT:
Buddhu Bhagat was born in Silagai village of Chanho Block on 17th Feb 1792.He belonged to the Oraon tribe. The villagers believed that Buddhu had divine qualities and he was capable of ousting the British. He carried on guerilla warfare against the British with the aid of his followers. He was killed on 14th Feb. 1832 along with hundreds of his followers.

GANGA NARAIN SINGH:
He was the first tribal leader who exploited the frustration and anger of the Bhumij tribes against the British. Ganga Narain Singh belonged to the Zamindar family of Barabhum. He and his followers gave a strong resistance to the British rule in Midnapore and adjoining areas. He was killed on 7th Feb 1833 .

SIDDHU AND KANHU:
Siddhu and Kanhu were great warriors of Santhal Pargana. They carried forward the tribal struggle against the British. They were four brothers-Siddhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairon. The four brother waged struggle against the British oppression, exploitation, corruption and ignorance. The santhals were affected from the introduction of permanent settlement in their areas. Both the brothers adopted peaceful and constitutional means before commencing the revolt. The revolt started on the 7th July 1855 and it spread from Bhagnadih to Pyalpur, Maheshpur, Madhupur and Khudipur. On 10th July 1855, Siddhu and Kanhu defeated a British contingent of forces, which was sent to crush their revolt. Later Chand and Bhairon died fighting with the British. Siddhu and Kanhu are arrested due to treachery of their supporters. On 26th July 1856, the British government executed them.

THAKUR VISHWANATH SAHDEO:
Thakur Vishwanath Sahdeo was born at Satranji on 12th August 1817.In 1840, his father died and he took over the Jagirdari of Barkagargh. In 1855, he revolted against the British rule and declared himself independent. The Doranda contingent of forces of the Ramgarh battalion was asked to take retaliatory action against Thakur Sahdeo but the latter defeated the British forces. The freedom movements of 1857 become very aggressive in Chotanagpur. Meanwhile Thakur Sahdeo allied with Ganpat Rai who was the former Diwan of Chotanagpur and continues the struggle. At last the British government applied the Policy of “Divide and Rule” and succeeded in winning over many supporters of Thakur Sahdeo.He was caught on 30th March 1858 due to some of his treacherous friends. He was hanged on the gate of Zila School ,Ranchi.

SHEIKH BHIKHARI:
He became the Diwan of Tikait Umraon Singh who was the ruler of Khatana. The freedom movement of Chotanagpur broke out on 31st July 1857 in Chutupalu hills, which formed a part of the Zamindari of Tikait Umraon Singh. The sepoy mutiny of Ramgarh was led by Madho Singh and Nadir Ali Khan.Tikait Umraon and Sheikh Bhikhari supported them. Sheikh Bhikhari got in touch with some of the Santhal rebels in Hazaribagh and motivatred them to fight against the British. Sheikh Bhikhari was captured on 6th Jan 1858 and later hanged on 8th Jan 1858.

NILAMBER-PITAMBER BROTHERS:
Nilamber and Pitamber were freedom fighter of Palamu. Both prepared a strong organization of the Bhogtas and the Kharwars.They secured the support of the Jagirdar of Chero. Col. Dolton succeeded in arresting them and they were hanged.

JATRA BHAGAT:
Jatra Bhagat, of Gumla, brought agrarian issues to the fore and launched a no rent campaign. He was arrested in 1916.

BIRSA MUNDA:
Birsa Munda was born on 15th Nov 1875 in Ulihatu Village of Arki Block under Khunti Subdivision. During his stay at Chaibasa from 1886 to 1890, he studied at a Christian school for three years. He claimed to be “the father of the Earth” (Dharti Aba) and a messenger of God. Later Birsha claimed himself to be god and declared that God had threatened with death all those who did not believe him. His followers started looking upon him as the “Incarnation of God”. He also laid down a strict code of conduct prohibiting theft, lying, begging and murder. The people regarded him as their “Sing Bonga” or Sun God, the good sprit that watches over them. He was looked upon as incarnation of “Khasra Kora” who had destroyed the Ashurs.The followers under Birsa’s umbrella decided that in order to establish the Munda Raj under Birsa, they should drive out or slay all the foreigners. They also resolved that no rent was paid and all land was to be held rent-free. Birsa was arrested in Chalkhed.he faced trial in Khunti court but was convicted to two years rigorous imprisonment. Later Birsa was released from jail on 30th Nov 1897. The movement entered into next phase in Oct-Nov 1899.He now advocated violent and turbulent method to achieve the ouster of the British. A large majority of Christan Mundas joined the movement. The growing incidents of arson and violence alarmed the British. They started preparations to retaliate and arrest him. At last Birsa was arrested on 3rd Feb 1900. Later he died of cholera in the prison of Ranchi.