New Delhi: The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major, but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising in India in 1857–58 against the British rule. Several princely states of Purvanchal (Naharpur, Badhyapur, Sathasi, Paena) lost their throne and territories to the Britishers. Thousands of people lost their lives in the revolt, however, their valour became an inspiration for the others and sparked a desire to attain freedom from the oppressive policies of the Britishers.

The state government led by CM Yogi has announced to hold year-long centenary programmes in view of 75 years of independence and has plans to develop the ‘Chauri Chaura Shaheed Memorial’ as a heritage tourist spot. The Chief Minister has insisted to plan the programme with the objective of instilling a sense of patriotism in the minds of the young generation and to express gratitude to the freedom fighters who made several sacrifices for the country’s independence.

The state government is also working towards scripting a world record during centenary celebrations of the Chauri Chaura incident. UP Culture Department has planned the recital of Vande Mataram in all districts from 10 am on February 3 to 12 noon on February 4. Rehearsals for the same were held today.

Purvanchal’s contribution in the Freedom Struggle

Purvanchal became a major centre of the revolt of 1857 against the Britishers. After the demise of Tilak in 1920, Mahatma Gandhi, who had emerged as a national leader also visited this region while he was protesting against the Indigo Cultivation (Tinkathiya system) in Champaran. Gandhi had addressed a huge public meeting of about more than 1 lakh people at the Bale Miyaan ground in Gorakhpur in February, 1921 where he had appealed to all the Indians to embrace ‘Swadeshi’. His appeal was widely accepted and ‘Charkha’ and ‘Khadi’ became the countrywide symbols of the freedom movement. Gandhi’s arrival started a phase of mass movements in the entire Purvanchal.

Several committees were set up in all the villages from where people were chosen to encourage other citizens to protest against the atrocities of the British. People started showing their resentment to the government on a large scale which even included eminent personalities like Munshi Premchand (Dhanpat Rai), who quit the job of an assistant teacher and Firaq Gorakhpuri, who preferred going to jail for burning foreign clothes instead of holding the post of a Deputy Collector.

The Chauri Chaura incident that occurred at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district took place in a span of less than two years after Gandhi’s visit to this region. There was a mass demonstration of people against the brutal measures of the Britishers in response to which the police opened fire on them. The following activities led to the death of three civilians and twenty-three policemen. The incident shook the foundation of British Empire in India. Mahatma Gandhi, who was strictly against violence, halted the Non-cooperation Movement on the national level on February 12, 1922, as a direct result of this incident. The incident played a decisive role in the freedom movement as it became an important reason behind the Revolt of 1857.

Youth should be sensitised about sacrifices, says CM Yogi

The government led by CM Yogi has made all arrangements to celebrate the ‘Chauri Chaura’ historically this year. It will be celebrated in a grand way to commemorate all the freedom fighters. In order to instill the feeling of patriotism in the youth and to make sure that the new generation is sensitised by the sacrifices made to attain freedom, UP CM has also instructed the officials to make all detailed history of the incidents accessible to the youth. CM Yogi also urged the younger generation to develop a sense of devotion for their nation and that they should value the freedom for which their ancestors sacrificed their lives.

“Make this country your own, live those dreams for which the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves. Develop passion and devotion for the country you are living in”, the CM said.

Another idea behind this celebration is to tell the new generation about the sacrifices of those unsung heroes whose names were consigned to anonymity by the Britishers.