Chhattisgarh's First Martyr: Veer Gend Singh and the Dawn of Independence

In the annals of the fight for freedom, certain names stand as towering symbols of resilience and unyielding determination. Among them, the remarkable Gend Singh emerges as a beacon of courage, his story a testament to the indomitable spirit that fueled the struggle for independence. Born in the crucible of colonial oppression, Gend Singh's life unfolded against a backdrop of injustice and tyranny, propelling him into a role that would etch his name into the pages of history.

The sacrifice of the landlord of Paralkot, who sounded the first call of the freedom struggle against the British, is unique and unforgettable. Gend Singh's entry into the hallowed halls of the freedom movement was not a mere happenstance but a conscious response to the relentless injustices inflicted upon his compatriots.

Born into a world burdened by the weight of colonial oppression, Gend Singh, from an early age, bore witness to the inequities and indignities suffered by his people at the hands of imperial rulers. Bastar is a major region of Chhattisgarh state. The British had captured Bastar in their clutches through their devious tactics. They were exploiting the tribals of Bastar morally, economically, and socially. Due to this, the danger of extinction of tribal culture was increasing. Hence the forests of Bastar started burning with anger.

In those days, Mr. Gend Singh was the landlord of Paralkot. He was a mighty, intelligent, clever and just man. His wish was that the people of his area should be happy. They should not be exploited in any way. For this he used every possible effort; But this wish was hindered by stooges of the Britishers.

By the year 1824, atrocities against the tribals had increased significantly. Then Gend Singh emerged as their leader among the Abujhmarias. Within a few months, Gend Singh created a rebel organization of tribals. As soon as the organization was ready, Gend Singh sounded the bugle against the British power. Veer Gend Singh inspired everyone to revolt in their respective areas.

Due to this, the whole of Bastar went up in flames in a short time. The simple and peaceful tribal warriors became ready to die and kill for their motherland. The aim of this rebellion was to free Bastar from the clutches of the British. He gave the slogan of British-free Bastar and it was from here that the first freedom movement started in the country. But in history the revolution of 1857 is considered the beginning of the freedom struggle.

The place where the rebellion took place against the British rule was Paralkot Zamindari headquarters. 165 nearby villages were covered under this. Paralkot is an area bordering Maharashtra. Paralkot is the area of Abujhmad. Abujhmad is such a densely forested area that it remained safe for the people there and is still so.

The area surrounded by rivers, mountains and dense forests was the safest area for Gend Singh. Gend Singh continued his struggle from here to fight the gun-wielding British military force. Under the leadership of Gend Singh, an entire army of tribals armed with bows and arrows was ready. He had given a direct challenge to the British power.

In 1825, the Paralkot rebellion was a symbol of protest against foreign rules by Abujhmarias, who were the inhabitants of the present day state of Chhattisgarh. The anger of Abujhmarias mainly originated against the foreign rulers like the British. The identity of the Abujhmadia tribals was in crisis due to the British authorities in the state. Madiya tribes were fed up with their exploitative policy.

The purpose of this rebellion was to acquire a world that is free from all outsiders. Gend Singh led the revolt of Paralkot and the other Abujhmarias supported him. Under the leadership of Gend Singh, they wanted to create a world in Abujhmad where there would be no plunder and exploitation.

By January 4, 1825, the revolutionaries had spread from Abujhmad to Chanda. Under the leadership of Gend Singh, the rebels first looted the nomads who supplied supplies and then started ambushing the British officers. This movement is recorded in history by the name of Paralkot rebellion.

The Abujhmarias used to send branches of the Dhanvada tree from one place to another as a signal of rebellion. Those to whom the message was sent had to join the rebellion before the leaves dried up. Under the leadership of Gend Singh, whenever the rebellious tribals caught any Englishman, they used to cut them to pieces. The rebellion was led by the Manjhis of the area in different detachments. At night the rebels would gather at Ghotul and plan for the next day.

Like every year, in 1824, Gend Singh had gone to Jagdalpur to celebrate Dussehra. During this time the British army arrived and locked his palace and started looting in Paralkot area. When returned, he got complete information about it. After this, he called a meeting of the local tribals and gathered everyone and raised the alarm of rebellion against the British. For this they took the help of traditional weapons of local tribals. Bees in the forest were also made their weapon which they used against the British.

Frightened by this, British administrator Agnew posed a challenge in a meeting of officials that who could crush this rebellion? There was silence in the meeting for a long time. To face Gend Singh and his brave tribesmen was to invite death. So, all the officers sat with their heads down. Agnue chided everyone for cowardice.

Finally, Captain Pebey, Superintendent of Police of Chanda, courageously took the responsibility of suppressing this rebellion and proceeded towards Paralkot with a large army.

On January 10, 1825, he completely surrounded Paralkot with the help of heavy military force.

Gend Singh was arrested. Now Captain Pebey's happiness knew no bounds; But he was so terrified that he did not even consider it appropriate to take the risk of presenting them before higher authorities or taking them to court. 10 days later, on January 20, 1825, the brave son of Chhattisgarh, Gend Singh, was hanged by the British government in front of Paralkot Palace. Veer Gend Sigh was martyred in the freedom struggle.

Gend Singh, the valiant tribal leader, left an indelible mark on the pages of history, his legacy echoing through the corridors of time as a testament to the transformative power of courage and resilience. His actions, deeply rooted in the soil of his tribal heritage, not only influenced the course of history but also reshaped the destinies of those for whom he fervently fought.

One of the most enduring aspects of Gend Singh's legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to preserving the cultural identity of his tribal community. At a time when colonial forces sought to erode indigenous traditions, Gend Singh stood as a formidable bulwark, fiercely guarding the rich tapestry of customs and beliefs that defined his people.

His efforts to instill a sense of pride and self-respect among the tribal population continue to resonate, inspiring subsequent generations to embrace their heritage with unwavering pride. This movement showcased the unity that could be achieved across diverse communities in the pursuit of a common goal.

The Paralkot revolt is one of the important tribal rebellions in the history of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. If the Paralkot rebellion was considered the first rebellion of the freedom struggle in Indian history, then Gend Singh would have been called the first martyr of India.

Article by

Aashutosh Kumar Aahire

Assistant Professor (Political Science)

Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur (CG.)