Varanasi :

Ballia, which had overthrown Britishers, declaring Independence in 1942, is yet to see the completion of ‘Shaheed Smarak’ (Martyr Memorial) in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives. However, local natives carry out procession from the district jail and hold meeting at the Town Hall every year on August 19 to mark the anniversary of ‘Ballia’s freedom’.

“To remember the historical moment every year on August 19, people assemble at the gate of district jail and carry out a procession across the town. The procession culminates at Bapu Bhawan, Town Hall where a public meeting is held,” said Chittaranjan Singh, a native of Ballia. “But Baghi Ballia, which fought bravely against the British rule, is today helpless in preserving the memory of its martyrs,” lamented Singh, adding that the half-built memorial at Basantpur, about 8km from the town, is facing utter neglect.

The Martyr Memorial was conceived in 1992 during the Golden Jubilee celebration of Quit India movement of 1942. The then Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao while addressing a function at Jaiprakash Nagar, the birthplace of Jaiprakash Narayan, on August 19, 1992 had announced that a Rs 1 crore would be made available by the government for construction of Shaheed Smarak at Ballia. HRD ministry had nominated former PM Chandra Shekhar as the president of the trust.

The trust would be a centre for perpetuating the memory of martyrs and freedom fighters. It would carry on constructive activities beneficial to the surviving freedom fighters and their dependents. It aims at collecting, preserving, publishing and distributing records, plans, books, writings, lectures, letters, correspondence, teachings and messages of the martyrs and freedom fighters together with their autobiographies, biographies, anecdotes and reminiscence highlighting their feelings and sentiments against British tyranny and strong determination for the Independence of the country. It also aims to set up, maintain and run museum where various relics, objects of veneration photographs, paintings, sketches, articles and things connected with the history of struggle for Independence have to be preserved.

Known for rebellious nature, people of Ballia took active part in Quit India movement of August 9,1942. According to district records, the news of the arrest of Congress leaders reached Ballia the same day, and the next day all the schools were closed. Local natives and students took out procession on August 11 and 12. They demanded closure of the courts. This was stopped by 100 armed constables and in the ensuing lathi-charge many were badly wounded. On August 13, the Bilthara Road Railway Station was attacked and the building burnt. The currency notes found in the safes were also were burnt. The water pump and the water tank were smashed. A goods train was looted and the engine was smashed and seed stores, police stations and post offices attacked. On August 16, the Rasra treasury was attacked and two days later, the police station at Bairia was re-attacked as the station officer had removed the Tricolour which the freedom fighters hoisted there on August 15, after gaining control of the place. The infuriated mob of about 25,000 people raided the police station and numerous attempts were made to re-hoist the flag. Men and women of all ages as well as children took part in the raid. The police responded with a volley of shots, resulting in the death of around 20 persons and injuries to over a hundred.

Undeterred by firing, the deaths and the injuries, people maintained pressure to gain control of the police station as they were determined to capture the police officer and others responsible for the firing but at dead of night, when it was raining, the police staff slipped away and the thana was captured the next morning. By this time, the freedom fighters had gained control of many other places in the district including the tehsil headquarters of Bansdih, the police station and the seed store. The indiscriminate firing at the Bairia police station and at other places compelled the people to take up arms.

On August 19, 50,000 persons armed with guns, lathis, spears proceeded towards the jail to free their leaders and other participants. The gate of the jail was opened. This marked the first victory of the freedom struggle. It was a symbol in this small and economically backward district of Ballia of the downfall of the British Raj. After their release, the leaders addressed a huge gathering at the town.

On August 20, a police van went round the town firing at passersby indiscriminately, contrary to the assurance given to the leaders. In the absence of planned programme, many administrative centres remained to be captured but they had already ceased to function properly. The freedom fighters constituted separate panchayats for different localities for carrying out the civil administration and Congress volunteers were appointed for the defence of the city. By now, the people had acquired complete control of the city and they declared ‘Independence’ for Ballia on August 20, 1942, and a popular government was formed with Chittu Pandey as its first head.

During the night of August 22-23, military forces entered Ballia and popular government was overthrown. Then the horrors of the British police and military were let loose upon the people. All leaders of the revolution, young and old, were arrested, beaten and tortured. The sacrifices of the people earned the reputation of ‘Revolutionary Ballia’ during the Quit India movement of 1942. The conquest of Ballia by the freedom fighters attracted the attention of the British Parliament also.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / August 09th, 2014

Allahabad :

Most of the residents of the Sangam City are unaware that the posh Civil Lines and the Chandrasekhar Azad Park located in the heart of the city were witness to unprecedented massacre during the first War of Independence in 1857. The unsung heroes of eight villages of Mewatis were killed and the villages razed to ground by the Britishers in June 1857.

As per the government documents, Civil Lines was built in 1858 on the ruins of the eight villages that comprised the area.

Nowadays, the two places bear no trace of ravages of the war. There is not even a single memorial or plaque to honour thousands of unsung heroes about whom a British historian wrote, “All men were hanged or shot and women dishonoured. Eight villages were completely burnt and their lands confiscated.”

According to historians, the then Samdabad and Saadabad, comprising eight villages, has now turned into posh Civil Lines area. At the heart of the area came up the lush green Alfred Park, now known as Chandrashekhar Azad Park, which now houses a band stand and a colourful fountain midway for the visitors.

Allahabad University’s expert of medieval and modern history Yogeswar Tiwari told TOI, “The Mewati’s had sided with the freedom fighters. As a punishment around 600 villagers were hanged. As per the documents, those who managed to escape were shot and Britishers had to employ eight bullock carts to dispose the corpse for days.”

He further said, hardly any visitor to band stand is aware of the fact that around 157 years ago thousands of Indians were massacred by the British army led by Colonel Neil. Tiwari further said, “Public ignorance can be understood but even the government authorities have turned the area into a place of enjoyment.”

However, it seems that the people have realized the importance of the site and have already initiated efforts to set up a memorial in memory of the unsung heroes. Recently, city academicians initiated the process of apprise the people of these martyrs and the importance of the place. Tiwari said that a memorial in memory of martyrs was being planned.

Former vice-chancellor of Allahabad University Prof RP Mishra has already selected a venue in Civil Lines for construction of ‘wall’ to apprise the young generation of the sacrifices of these villagers.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / July 03rd, 2014