India, August 15: On the occasion of the 74th Independence Day of India, let us all remember the unsung Bravehearts of North-East, who actively took part in the struggle for freedom against the British.
Tirot Singh, Meghalaya
Tirot Singh, popularly known as U Tirot Sing Syiem, was the first Khasi ruler who revolted against the British Empire. Having his lineage from the Syiemlieh clan, he became the Syiem(chief) of Nongkhlaw, part of the Khasi Hills. Tirot Sing and his troop fought the British ferociously who wanted to take over the control of the Khasi Hills. The Khasis under him offered a stiff resistance to the British. But unfortunately, they could not succeed with their native weapons like bows, arrows and swords against the sophisticated guns and battle strategy of the British. Yet, they did not give up easily. Tirot Sing took shelter in the caves. He was however betrayed and his hideout was given away by a native. Singh was forced to surrender on 9th January and after a namesake trial, he was deported to Dhaka where he died in captivity. The caves are still preserved and anyone can travel to those areas for getting a glimpse of those places.
Gaidinliu, Nagaland/ Manipur
Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual & political leader. She joined the Heraka movement for the revival of Naga Tribal religion at the age of 13 under the mentorship of her cousin Haipou Jadonang. Later, the movement changed its course & turned into a political movement with the sole objective of driving out the British from Manipur and its surrounding Naga areas. At the age of 16, she was sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a movement against the colonial rulers. She was rightly called the ‘Rani of the Nagas’ by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1937, Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail and promised to pursue her release.
She was the girl who preached to her Zeliangrong tribesmen, “We are free people, the white man should not rule over us…”
Moje Riba, Arunachal Pradesh
Riba was one of the first persons to hoist a tricolour at Dipa village in Arunachal Pradesh and a martyr of the freedom struggle of the country. He was called Aboh Nyiji, which means old father of all. Adding to his patriotism, he was a kind and a helpful human being. After joining Indian National Congress, he became the first Indian National Congress President from Arunachal Pradesh. He was arrested by the British Police for participating in the freedom struggle and distributing pamphlets during the Quit India Movement. He was conferred with Tamra Patra by the then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi, for his sacrifices & contributions in India’s freedom movement. His sense of patriotism and boldness in action still continues to inspire & motivate thousands of people in our Country.
Mizoram – Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera
Shoovrvir Pasaltha Khuangchera was the first Mizo freedom fighter who sacrificed his life fighting against the British in 1890. He died while fighting the imperialist power when the British had invaded Lushai hills. The resistance was as intense as that of in any part of the country. Khuangchera is not only known for his bravery but also for his strength & righteousness that won the hearts of his people.
Another Mizo warrior, Ngurbawng, died alongside Khuangchera in the firing which took place at Changsil near Aizawl.
Kanaklata Barua (1924- 1942), Assam
The youngest freedom fighter from Assam, Kanaklata Barua joined the freedom struggle at the tender age of 17 years. Rejection by Azad Hind Fauz could not discourage the little girl’s zeal to join the freedom struggle of her country. Inspired by the famous Quit India Movement, the 17-year old girl joined the Bahini, which was a dead squad comprising of youths from Gohpur subdivision of Assam. On 20th September, 1942 under the leadership of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, the revolutionary camp of Gohpu division of undivided Derrang district, decided to unfurl the national flag. She was leading the procession with the National Flag in her hand when she was shot dead by the British Police.
When the officer threatened her that they would start firing if she continued to move forward, she firmly told them to do their duty while she would carry on with her’s.
Sachindra Lal Singh (1963-1971), Tripura
The first Minister of Tripura and a leader of Indian National Congress, Sachindra Lal Singh, was popularly known as ‘Sachin da’. He started his political activities since his school days after he became a member of ‘Bhatri Sangh’, an organisation of Agartala youths. One of the most eminent freedom fighters from the East, Singh played an important role in the Chittagong armoury raid along with Surya Sen.
Bir Tikendrajit Singh (1856 – 1891), Manipur
Popularly known as the ‘Lion of Manipur’, this prince and a great patriot had laid down his life for the independence of his country. Being the commander of the Manipuri army, he engineered a palace revolution which ultimately led to the event popularly known as Anglo-Manipur war of 1891 or the Manipur Expedition. However, the Knagla Palace was taken over by the British and Major Maxwell became the chief political agent. British Indian Government constituted a special court where Tikendrajit, Kullachandra and Thangal general were found guilty and were sentenced to death. On August 13, 1891, both of them were hanged before the general public at Polo ground, Imphal. The place was later named as Bir Tikendrajit Park and to remember his heroic deeds, Manipur celebrates the day as patriot’s day.
Trilochan Pokhrel, Sikkim
The first Sikkimese freedom fighter of Nepali (Gorkha) origin, fought bravely against the Brish Imperialism. He was popularly known as ‘Bande Pokhrel’ or ‘Gandhi Pokhrel’. Gandhi’s movements based on the fundamental principles of Peace & Non-Violence, highly influenced Pokhrel. He was actively involved in various Gandhian Movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement & Quit India Movement to name a few. Pokhrel was also known for popularizing the concept of Swadeshi among the Sikkimese Peasants.
