Amrit Udyan:
In the recently inaugurated park, Amrit Udyan in Guwahati, statues of some of the unsung freedom fighters from eight different states of Northeast India have been installed. It was inaugurated by Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam. The park is spread over 14 bigha-land, and unveiled statues of eight eminent tribal freedom fighters from the Northeast states of India. The park is built at a cost of 14.81 crore.
Lets take a look at some of their heroic acts and sacrifices that had significantly impacted the freedom movement of India.
Assam: Sambhudan Phanglo was born in Longkhor near Maibang which is present-day Dima Hasao district, Asaam. In 1832, the British took control of Southern Cachar, and in 1854 Northern Cachar. Phonglo opposed the moves of the British. He felt that the British had no right to rule the people of Assam and that the territorial moves were intended to weaken them. Phonglo took the view that if the native people were going to lose freedom, then shouldn’t they help the foreign power in consolidating its position. To lose freedom was to embrace slavery. It would not be worthwhile for them to live under the aliens as slaves, as hardships could be endured, but not slavery.
Phanglo had fought relentlessly against British atrocities and sacrificed his life for the love of his motherhood. In 1883 he was killed by the British regime.
In order to honour his sacrifice, the statue of Sambhudan Phanglo has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Arunachal Pradesh: Moje Riba was a prominent freedom fighter of India’s freedom movement from Arunachal Pradesh. Moje Riba was born at Dari village in Lepa Rada district of Arunachal Pradesh. Moje had no formal education but he gained lots of knowledge and exposure during his trading trips to Assam during his youth days. This not only made him well versed with the Assamese language but also exposed him to the Indian National Movement that was going on in India. British officials ill-treated and discriminated against Galo people. So Moje along with other leaders met at Dari village and decided to oppose British rule. He toured many villages and distributed Congress flags, caps, and pamphlets among the people, and motivated the people against British rule. This alarmed the British officials and Moje along with others were brought to Pasighat and was arrested and kept in jail for more than two months.
In order to honour his sacrifice, the statue of Moje Riba has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
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Mizoram: Rani Ropuiliani was a prominent freedom fighter from Lushai Hills (present-day Mizoram) and was known for her rebellious approach towards the British government. It was after the death of Ropuiliani’s husband Vandula that she became the first woman chief of a village called Denlungh, situated near Hnahthial in present-day Southern Mizoram. She inherited her exceptional warrior-like qualities and anti-colonial attitude from her father as well as her husband. She sternly refused to acknowledge the supremacy of the British colonialists and their authority over the ushai hills and its people. She also played a pivotal role in influencing other chiefs to resist the British annexation policies.
Ropuiliani and her son was arrested and imprisoned by the British government in 1893. The legendary freedom fighter breathed her last at the age of 86.
In order to honour her sacrifice, the statue of Rani Ropuiliani has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Meghalaya: U Tirot Sing Syiem born in the year 1802 and died in the year 1835, was one of the chiefs of the Khasi people in the early 19th century. He drew his lineage from the Syiemlieh clan. Tirot Sing declared war and fought against British for attempts to take over control of the Khasi Hills.
U Tirot Sing fought with native weapons such as a sword and shield. He was shot at by the British and had to hide in a cave and tend for his wound. He was eventually captured by the British in January 1833 and deported to Dhaka. The location of his hiding place was given by a chief of his who was bribed with gold coins by the British. He died on 17 July 1835. His death anniversary is commemorated every year as a state holiday in Meghalaya.
In order to honour his sacrifice, the statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Manipur: Bir Tikendrajit Sarkar, also known as Koirengvwas a prince from Manipur. He was one of the legendary freedom fighters from Manipur. His contributions towards India’s freedom movement have been commendable. He was the commander of Manipuri army who rebelled against the British but was later hanged.
In order to honour his sacrifice, the statue of Bir Tikendrajit Sarkar has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Nagaland: Gaidinliu Pamei popularly known as Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British rule in India. Gaidinliu was born on 26 January 1915 at Nungkao (or Longkao) village in the present-day Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong District, Manipur. After Jadonang, Gaidinliu’s cousin was arrested and hanged by the British in 1931, Gaidinliu emerged as his spiritual and political heir openly rebelled agaist the British. The British authorities had launched a manhunt for her and she was arrested in 1931 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. After 14 years in jail, Jawaharlal Nehru met her at the Shillong Jail in 1937 and he promised to pursue her release. He described Gaidinliu as a daughter of the hills and he gave her the title ‘Rani’ or Queen of her people
In order to honour her sacrifice, the statue of Rani Gaidinliu has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Tripura: Bidrohi Ratanmani Reang was one of the greatest revolutionaries from Tripura who had led the famous Reang revolt. The revolt was organized under the leadership of Ratan Mani Reang in protest of the persecution of the Reang tribes by the Reang chiefs during World War II.
The residence of Ratan Mani was at Ramchira village in Ramgarh Subdivision of Chittagong. He was known as Lokman Sadhu. His life and dress was very ordinary and simple. He lived a life that of a monk. He wore rudraksha garland around his neck and used to give advice in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Purana and Chaitanya, The incarnation of love. Many people believe that Ratan Mani Reang came to Tripura seven to ten years before the Reang Uprising began. Ratan Mani, the main hero of the rebellion was later killed in captivity.
In order to honour his sacrifice, the statue of Bidrohi Ratanmani Reang has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
Sikkim: Helen Lepcha alias Sabitri Devi was one of the greatest freedom fighter from Sikkim. Helen Lepcha belonged to the indigenous Lepcha community, a fresh school dropout she joined the Charkha and Khaddar movements that were being propagated in the hills in 1917. While volunteering in Bihar, she met Mahatma Gandhi who had come to visit the aggrieved families. Moved by her dedication, a thoroughly impressed Gandhiji invited her to Sabarmati Ashram. At the Mahatma’s invitation, she visited the Ashram where he rechristened her Savitri Devi, as the name ‘Helen’ gave an impression of a foreigner. Helen vigorously participated in the activities of the Congress Labour Union as a leader of the party in parts of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar. She actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Quit India Movement. She was the one who helped Neetaji Subhash Chandra escape.
Stemming from humble roots, Helen’s contributions have been recognised by her birth state Sikkim, where she has been conferred with the title ‘Daughter of the soil’.
In order to honour her sacrifice, the statue of Helen Lepcha aka Sabitri Devi has been installed at the recently inaugurated park named as Amrit Udyan situated in Hengerabari, Guwahati.
