Bawani Imli massacre
| Bawani Imli massacre | |
|---|---|
| Location | 6 km from Bindki Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India (30 km from Khajuha, Fatehpur district) |
| Date | 28 April 1858 |
| Target | Indian freedom fighters |
Attack type | Mass execution by hanging |
| Weapons | Hanging |
| Deaths | 52 |
| Perpetrators | East India Company Army (British Colonial Army) |
The Bawani Imli massacre (Hindi: बावनी इमली हत्याकांड) refers to the execution of 52 Indian freedom fighters, including Thakur Jodha Singh Ataiya, by the British colonial army on 28 April 1858. The executions took place on a tamarind tree, locally known as "Bawani Imli" (meaning "52 tamarind"), 6 km from Bindki tehsil,[1] and located 30 km from the town of Khajuha in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India. This event is considered a significant yet often overlooked episode in Indian independence movement.[2][3]
Background
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, various regions across India witnessed uprisings against British colonial rule. In Fatehpur district, Thakur Jodha Singh Ataiya, a zamindar from Rasulpur in Fatehpur district, and a prominent figure in the resistance. Inspired by contemporaries like Rani Lakshmibai, Jodha Singh, alongside Deputy Collector Hikmat Ullah Khan, organised revolutionary activities, including the capture of the Fatehpur treasury and court. He also collaborated with leaders like Tatya Tope and engaged in guerrilla warfare against British forces, notably defeating Colonel Powell in battle. He was known for rallying thousands of peasants under his banner. He is remembered as a local hero who ignited the flame of revolt in the Awadh and Bundelkhand regions.[4][5] However, following a betrayal by informants, Jodha Singh and 51 of his compatriots were captured by British forces near the village of Ghoora.[6][4]
The Massacre
On 28 April 1858, the British army arrested Thakur Jodha Singh and 51 of his companions, reportedly using deceit to lure them. All 52 revolutionaries were executed by hanging from a large tamarind tree near Khajuha. The British left the bodies hanging to instil fear and issued strict orders forbidding their removal. According to reports, the tree was surrounded by 300 soldiers to prevent any funerary rites. The British authorities warned the local population that anyone attempting to remove the bodies would face the same fate.[4][5]
After 37 days, on the night of 3 June 1858, local leader Maharaja Bhawani Singh and his associates defied the orders, removed the decomposed bodies, and on June 4, 1858, conducted cremation rituals at Shivrajpur Ghat on the banks of the Ganges. This defiant act of honour is remembered as an important moment of resistance.[7][4]
Legacy
The tamarind tree, now known as "Bawani Imli," still stands as a living memorial to the martyrs. Locals believe that the tree ceased to grow following the massacre, symbolising the gravity of the event. The site has been recognised as a place of historical significance, with a memorial established to honour the 52 freedom fighters. Their names are inscribed on stone tablets at the site, ensuring that future generations remember their contributions. The site draws visitors annually on Independence Day and Republic Day.[8]
Commemoration
The Bawani Imli Memorial has been acknowledged by various governmental and non-governmental organisations for its historical importance. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during India's struggle for independence. It is often referred to as the "second Jallianwala Bagh" due to the scale and brutality of the massacre.[2][9][5]
In April 2025, a Hindi-language book documenting the massacre titled"Darakht: The Witness of Freedom Fighter," written by Vijay Narayan was released by local scholars and officials in Bindki.[1]
Bibliography
- Darakht: The Witness of Freedom Fighter (Hindi) by Vijay Narayan. Bluerose Publishers, 2025.ISBN-10 9362614928.
See also
References
- ^ a b "52 क्रांतिकारियों की शहादत पर आधारित पुस्तक का विमोचन". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 14 August 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b "52 स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों की फांसी का गवाह रहा 'बावनी इमली', को है राष्ट्रीय स्तर की पहचान का इंतजार". ThePrint Hindi. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Bawani Imali". District Fatehpur, Government of Uttar Pradesh - India. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d सिंह, धीरेंद्र (15 August 2024). "बावनी इमली फतेहपुर,स्वतंत्रता दिवस: 52 स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों की फांसी का गवाह इमली का पेड़, अंग्रेजों ने धोखे से किया था गिरफ्तार". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "यूपी: दूसरा 'जलियां वाला बाग' है बावनी इमली, एक साथ 52 क्रांतिकारियों को दी गई थी फांसी (Second Jallianwala Bagh)". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). 14 December 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Bawani Imli – History Cafe". History Cafe. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "The Bawani Imli Tree". Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Heritage tree on which 52 martyrs were hanged". The Times of India. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Bavani Imali Fatehpur: On this day 52 revolutionaries were hanged on the land of Fatehpur". Yugantar Pravah. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
Extrenal links
- Bawani Imli official webpage Govt. of India