Orissa Review * August - 2008

Role of Veer Surendra Sai Against the British Colonialism in

Ratnakar Mohapatra

The role of Veer Surendra Sai in the resistance the Bhonsla Raja in the Third Anglo-Maratha war movement of Sambalpur against the British of 1817, the British decided to establish their colonialism is a landmark in the history of freedom paramountcy over Sambalpur. In 1818 AD, after movement of Orissa. The achievements of the death of Jayanta Singh, Maharaja Sai Surendra Sai and his uncommon heroism for the succeeded to the throne. Maharaja Sai died in safety of the tribal people of 1827, leaving no son to succeed Sambalpur have few parallels in the him. Thereafter, the British history of . Surendra Sai was authorities allowed his widow Rani a born rebel and an Mohana Kumari to rule over the uncompromising enemy of the State. This was done against the British Authority. Surendra Sai local customs and laws of the land. popularly known as Surendra, was Never in the history of Chauhan born in the Chauhan family of rule of Sambalpur, a woman had Rajpur-Khinda. His father Dharam been raised to such a position. Singh was a descendant of Disturbances immediately broke Aniruddha Sai, son of Madhukara out, and for some years there was Sai, the fourth Chauhan Raja of constant discord between the Sambalpur. The member of this Sai recognized ruler and other family demanded the throne, being claimants to the chiefship. the next to the main line of Sambalpur after the Ultimately, Rani Mohan Kumari proved herself demise of Maharaja Sai in 1827 AD. an incapable ruler. Due to her defective measures, As Maharaja Sai had no son, Surendra Sai the people revolted against her authority. who then represented the Rajpur-Khinda family, Preparation of Rebellion asserted his claims for the 'Gadi' of Sambalpur. At that time British set aside the claims of The British authorities suppressed the Surendra because he was a man of independent violent activities of rebels and sent Rani Mohan thinking. The first choice of British went in favour Kumari to Cuttack to remain as a pensioner in of Mohan Kumari, the widow Rani of Maharaja 1833 AD. On 11th October, 1833 the British Sai. The British forces had already occupied installed Narayan Singh an offspring of the Sambalpur in January 1804 AD. After defeating Chauhan family as the ruler. Narayan Singh had

4 Orissa Review * August - 2008 no capacity for administration due to extreme old mobilizing his supporters for rebellion, Raja age. His right to the throne was challenged by Narayan Singh's men killed Balabhadra Deo, the other contending members of Rajpur-Khinda 'Gond Zamindar' of Lakhanpur, who was a family. Balaram Singh, a brother of Dharam Singh supporter of Surendra Sai. At this situation, the of the Khinda family took up the cause of his Gonds became incensed and decided to take up nephew, Surendra Sai and guided the rebellion the cause of Surendra Sai. The supporters of on the ground that they had more legitimate claims Surendra Sai then avenged the murder of over the throne. The Gond (tribal) people also Balabhadra Deo by murdering the father and son revolted against Narayan Singh. In this chaotic of Durjaya Singh, the unpopular 'Zamindar' of state of affairs Narayan Singh died on 10th Rampur who was a supporter of Raja Narayan September, 1849 leaving no son to succeed him. Singh. This was a spontaneous revolt but The Governor General Lord Dalhousie then Surendra Sai had no role in it. But the British annexed Sambalpur by applying the Doctrine of Government implicated Surendra Sai in this case Lapse. For that reason Surendra Sai and his and arrested him and his uncle Balaram Singh and supporters revolted against the British imperialism brother Udyanta Sai. They were sent to the over Sambalpur. The claim of Surendra Sai upon Hazaribag Jail as prisoners for life in 1840 AD. the throne of Sambalpur was justifiable and legal. Balaram Singh who was a guide of the rebels died But Surendra Sai was debarred from occupying in jail some time, after his imprisonment. There his legitimate position because the British Surendra Sai spent as many as 17 years till the authorities were afraid of his strong personality mutineers broke open the jail in 1857. and extreme popularity. After annexation, the British took some Surendra Sai's revolution against the British measures which caused dissatisfaction among the colonialism started in 1827 AD. He valiantly Zamindars as well as the common people of fought against the British authorities till 1864 and Sambalpur. The British authorities showed no then finally arrested in that year. The detail sympathy for the tribal Zamindars and Gauntias activities of this great freedom fighter are briefly and brought them under their rigorous control. discussed below. The revenue paid by them was indiscriminately Rebellion of Surendra Sai raised. It is revealed from a record that the amount paid by the State as annual tribute previous in Since 1827 AD both Balaram Singh and 1849 was Rs. 8,800 whereas that amount rose his nephew Surendra Sai had been claiming the to Rs. 74,000 in 1854 AD. At that time none of 'Gadi' of Sambalpur as the legal heir apparent. the tribal Zamindars had the capacity of giving But the British authority repeatedly ignored the leadership to their people. When the revolt of claim of Surendra Sai regarding the throne of 1857 took place, then the accumulated Sambalpur. That is why, Surendra Sai decided discontentment of the tribal people of Sambalpur to rebel with the help of his uncle Balaram Sai burst into open rebellion under the leadership of and his own brothers. The local Zamindars and Surendra Sai. 'Gauntias' also supported Surendra Sai against the British policy. Surendra Sai had six brothers The second phase of Surendra Sai's war such as Udyanta, Dhruva, Ujjala, Chhabila, against the British began in 1857 when the great Jajjala and Medini. All of them took active part explosion occurred and it convulsed the whole in the rebellion. While Surendra Sai was country. In this great historic Revolution of 1857,

5 Orissa Review * August - 2008 the Sypoys at Hazaribagh rose in rebellion. They and heroism. Surendra Sai could challenge the broke open the Hazaribagh Jail and released the mighty British power through their strength and prisoners. Consequently Surendra Sai and his support. brother Udyant Sai got released. At that time, Surendra Sai organized the rebels into Surendra Sai was fugitive and an escaped several groups in different places. Sambalpur's prisoner. He was declared as a rebel by the British connection with Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Cuttack and authority and a reward of Rs.250/- had been were for sometime cut off by the rebels. declared for his apprehension and for the arrest Early in December, 1857, the 'dawk' road to of his brother. On return to Sambalpur, Surendra Bombay was obstructed and two 'dawk' stations Sai was enthusiastically received by the people, were set on fire. For sometime the situation in Zamindars and Gauntias. On 13th October, 1857 Sambalpur became uncontrollable for the British Surendra Sai accompanied by the supporters authorities. Many of the principal Zamindars were made a representation to Captain R.T. Leigh, the collecting their Paikas for the purpose of resisting Senior Assistant Commissioner of Sambalpur for the Government. It became difficult for the the remission of the sentence of imprisonment on Government troops to carry on operations against him and for his installation as the Raja of the rebels in the jungles. Two British Medical Sambalpur. G.F.Cockburn, the Commissioner of Officers named Dr. T. Moore and Dr. D. Hanson Orissa opposed to any leniency being shown to who were proceeding to Sambalpur to give Surendra Sai. He strongly instructed Surendra medical aid to the soldiers were assaulted by the Sai's deportation. In the meantime, in anticipation rebels at Jujumara. In the skirmish Dr. Moore of rebellion, the British Government brought more was killed. Dr. Hanson escaped with much troops to Sambalpur. In Sambalpur, Surendra Sai difficulty by hiding himself in the jungle and was was treated as a political prisoner. His residence rescued after two days by Government soldiers. was strictly guarded and his movement closely Later on when Captain Leigh with fifty soldiers watched. Under such circumstances, Surendra Sai visited the spot, the rebels attacked his party and anticipated troubles and fled to the Khinda village succeeded in killing and wounding several men where his brother Udyant was staying. On the of his detachment. night of 31st October, 1857, he then broke into rebellion and appealed to the people to join him G.F. Cockburn despatched more and more in liberating Sambalpur from the British reinforcement to Sambalpur to meet the situation. Paramountcy. Many tribals, tribal Zamindars and The British Government transferred Sambalpur Gauntias joined hands with him. for the time being to the Orissa Division for the effective handling of the situation with effect from The Rebellion of Sambalpur in 1857 was 19th December, 1857. The reason was that it mainly a tribal rebellion. The tribal Zamindars of was difficult to control Sambalpur from north and Ghens, Kolabira, Paharsirgira, Machida, the Commissioner of Chhotnagpur was hard- Kodabaga, Laida, Loisinga, Lakhanpur, Bheden, pressed with work. So the district of Sambalpur, Patkulanda, etc. had joined it espousing the cause which originally belonged to Chhotnagpur of Surendra Sai. They gave up their comforts and Division, was proposed to be permanently resorted to jungle life. Some of them lost their transferred to the Cuttack Division. estates, some were killed in the battle, some were arrested and hanged and many were imprisoned. In the meantime, Captain Wood arrived at The tribal people were noted for their sacrifice Sambalpur from Nagpur with a cavalry. On 30th

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December, 1857 he made a surprise attack on Period of Conciliation the rebels at Kudopali. A skirmish followed, in In April 1861, Major Impey was appointed which fifty-three rebels including Chhabila Sai, the as the Deputy Commissioner of Sambalpur in brother of Surendra Sai were killed. But Surendra place of Colonel Forster. He firmly believed that Sai was abled to escape from the site. only conciliatory measures would induce the On 7th January, 1858 Major Bates arrived rebels including the leader Surendra Sai to at Sambalpur and assumed overall charge of surrender. On studying the critical situation, Impey putting down the rebellion. He occupied the adopted this policy for the voluntarily surrender Jharghati Pass, situated on the way to Ranchi, of rebels. On 24th September, 1861 amnesty was which was being blocked by Udyant Sai. He also proclaimed for all except Surendra Sai, his brother destroyed the village of Kolabira, the gauntia of Udyant Sai and his son Mitrabhanu. The second which was a rebel leader. The gauntia was Proclamation was issued on 11th October, 1861 arrested and afterwards hanged. On 20th January, offering free pardon to all rebels who would 1858 G.F. Cockburn arrived at Sambalpur with surrender. The Proclamations attracted a large troops. number of rebels who wanted to settle peacefully with their family and friends. Because of On 12th February, 1858 Captain Proclamations, many rebels returned from jungles Woodbridge and Captain Wood launched an and surrendered. Towards the end of 1861 Mr. attack on the fort of Paharsirgira, the mountain R.N. Shore, the Commissioner of Cuttack came stronghold of the rebels. In this encounter the to Sambalpur under express orders of the rebels shot Captain Woodbridge dead. Two days Government to enquire into matters connected later, the naked and headless body of with the rebellion. He found that Major Impey Woodbridge was recovered by English. had succeeded to create ample confidence in the minds of local people and his conciliatory policy In March 1858, Colonel Forster took was highly appreciated. The Government of charge of the from Captain Bengal also confirmed the terms of Proclamation Leigh. Invested with wide military and civil power, regarding the restoration of property to the rebels. Forster adopted stern measures like seize of the The Zamindar of Kolabira, a staunch supporter entire food stock of the rebels for suppressing all of Surendra Sai, received very generous treatment rebellious activities. He called a meeting of the after his surrender and Impey's conciliatory neighbouring Rajas and Zamindars and sought gesture convinced the rebels about the sincerity their co-operation for the suppression of the of the British Government to restore peace and rebellious activities of Surendra Sai and his order in the long troubled district. Negotiations followers. The Raja of Patna had been fined one continued with rebels and ultimately the policy of thousand rupees by Cockburn as he was Major Impey was crowned with success. suspected of giving shelter to Ujjal Sai, the brother Mitrabhanu, the only son of Surendra Sai, was of Surendra Sai. Ujjal Sai was hanged at the first man of the Sai family who surrendered to without undergoing any trial by British authorities. Major Impey on 7th January, 1862. Two days Forster also captured and hanged the zamindars after that Dhruva Sai and Udyant Sai announced of Kharsal and Ghens. But in spite of all the their surrender. Hati Singh of Ghens also repressive measures, Forster could not capture surrendered before British authorities in the first Surendra Sai, the prime mover of the rebellion. week of February, 1862 AD. Early in May

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Surendra Sai started negotiation with the British close followers were arrested at his residence in authorities. He again asked for recognition of his the Khinda village. His brothers Udyant Sai and claim to the throne of Sambalpur. But that claim Medini Sai were also captured from a different was rejected by British authority. Major Impey place. They were altogether sent to . It was assured him that he would be given liberal pension decided that their case would be tried in the Court for that. Surendra Sai then demanded some of Raipur and not in Sambalpur. The Deputy money to pay the arrears to his soldiers. Major Commissioner of Sambalpur submitted the Impey sanctioned five hundred rupees to him. evidences and charges against the convicts and Thereafter, he surrendered to Major Impey on after a mock trial; the Commissioner of 16th May, 1862. He was granted a pension of Chhatisgarh sentenced them to deportation for Rs.1200/- per annum. Liberal pensions (Rs.4, life. 400) were also granted to other members of his Judgment of Conspiracy family. Almost all other rebel leaders except Kunjal Singh and Kamal Singh surrendered to An appeal against this sentence was filed Major Impey. The resistance movement of by Surendra Sai and his followers in the Court of Sambalpur thus came to an end. the Judicial Commissioner, John Scarlett Campbell, which was Principal Court of Appeal Period of Conspiracy in Central Provinces. John Scarlett Campbell gave Some British officers were not happy of the verdict that the charges against Surnedra Sai the conciliatory measures of their Government. and his followers were baseless and fabricated The Deputy Commissioner, Raipur, objected the and that the Police had leveled such charges, being grant of pardon to criminals like the Ghens brothers unable to capture Kamal Singh and other dacoits. and demanded that the order should be In spite of strong verdict of the Judicial withdrawn. J.N. Berial, the Superintendent of Commissioner, Surendra Sai and six other Police of Sambalpur, asserted that Surendra Sai prisoners were detained at Nagpur under was connected with the dacoity committed by Regulation III of 1818. The British officers further Kamal Singh and Kunjal Singh and suggested his feared that the presence of Surendra Sai and his immediate arrest. In March 1863, Sir Richard followers would unsettle the mind of the people Temple, the Chief Commissioner of Central and disturb the tranquility in the district of Provinces visited Sambalpur. Some prominent Sambalpur. They were kept in the Nagpur Jail till persons of the district made a representation that April, 1866 and thereafter sent to the Fort of they had been adversely affected by the British Asirgarh. Surendra Sai's brother Medini Sai administration and that "final tranquility would breathed his last in Asirgarh Fort in 1876. Dhruva never exist at Sambalpur till a Chauhan resorted and Mitrabhanu were released on 1st January to Gadi". The Chief Commissioner categorically 1876. The eventful story of the great freedom rejected their demand. The British Officers put fighter ended with the return of Mitrabhanu Sai pressure on the Deputy Commissioner for the to Sambalpur. But Surendra Sai was kept arrest of Surendra Sai. Major Impey died at confined in the Fort till the end of his life. We Sambalpur in December 1863 and in his place have no authentic records regarding the last days Captain Cumberledge joined as Deputy of Surendra Sai. The last hero of the resistance Commissioner on 19th January, 1864. In the night movement of 1857 did not come out alive from of 23rd January, 1864 Surendra Sai, his son and the Fort of Asirgarh. It was merely reported by

8 Orissa Review * August - 2008 the Commandant of the Fort of Asirgarh that struggle of Surendra Sai can be compared with Surendra Sai, one of the State prisoners died on his contemporary rebel leader like Garibaldi of 28th February, 1884 at the age of about ninety. Italy. Really, the activities of Surendra Sai in the It is known from the above discussion that resistance movement were like that of a gallant Veer Surendra Sai was a valiant fighter against lion whom the Brithsh authorities could neither the British imperialism. His whole life had been dare to kill nor to see moving freely on his soil. devoted in struggle for the cause of people. Such Thus, the role of Surendra Sai against the British type of fighter is rare in the history of freedom colonialism undoubtedly occupies a unique place movement in Orissa. He carried on an in the annals of armed resistance movement in uncompromising war against the forces of British Orissa. till 1862. Surendra Sai was not only a great References : revolutionary throughout his life but also an Buckland, C.E., 1902, Bengal Under the Lieutenant inspiring leader of the tribal people. He was always Governors, Vol-II, Calcutta. in favour of the down-trodden tribal people who Mahtab, H.K., 1959, History of Freedom Movement in were being exploited by the British officials. Orissa, Vol-I, Cuttack. Surendra Sai spent 37 years in jail in two phases: the first phase being 17 years i.e. from 1840-1857 Mishra, C.R., 1980, Freedom Movement in Sambalpur: 1827-1947 AD (unpublished thesis), Sambalpur AD and the second being 20 years i.e. from University. 1864-1884 AD. The main aim of Surendra Sai was to drive British out of Sambalpur. Although Mishra, P.K., 1983, Political Unrest in Orissa in the 19th Century, Calcutta. he could not achieve the goal of his life but the vigorous struggle of this hero deserves to be Panda, S.C., August; 2007,"The Revolution of 1857 and remembered as one of those valiant fighters who Veer Surendra Sai", in Orissa Review, Pub. Information & P.R. Department, Govt. of Orissa, . defied the British colonialism in the pre-nationalist period. Truelly the role of Surendra Sai had acted Patra, K.M. and Devi,Bandita, 1983, An Advance History of Orissa (Modern Period), New Delhi. as one of the milestones for the succeeding freedom fighters to achieve the final independence Pradhan, A.C., 1985, A Study of History of Orissa, of our motherland. That is why, it can be rightly Bhubaneswar. said that Surendra Sai was a forerunner of the Sahu, N.K., Mishra , P.K. and Sahu , J.K., 1981, History freedom fighters of India. Prior to the rise of of Orissa, Cuttack. national consciousness in the minds of our freedom Sahu, N.K., 1985, Veer Surendra Sai, Department of fighters, he fought almost singlely minded-against Culture; Government of Orissa. the most formidable forces of British imperialism. Senapati , N. & Kuanr, D.C. (Eds), 1973, District He had tried his best to oust the British authorities Gazetteer; Sambalpur, Cuttack. from our motherland. The greatest ambition of this hero was futile due to the repressive policy adopted by the British authorities. Both patriotism and heroism have been exhibited by Surendra Sai, which is unparallel in the history of freedom movement in India. Surendra Sai has suffered Ratnakar Mohapatra is an ICHR Research Fellow, P.G. untold miseries throughout his life for the end of Department of History, Sambalpur University, Jyoti British. Considering the dedication of his life, the Vihar, Sambalpur.

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