Digambar Biswas

Digambar Biswas was a local Zamindar and money lender. He was also one of the main leaders of the Blue Rebellion (1859–60) of Bengal.[1] He, along with Bishnu Charan Biswas led the Indigo revolt of 1859, they mobilised exploited peasants against the oppressive Indigo cultivators of the British Raj, eventually resulting in an improvement of the living conditions of the peasants.[2] For this, they are known in the native district of Nadia. He was the paternal grandfather of famous revolutionary and martyr Basanta Kumar Biswas.[3]

Early life

Digambar Biswas was born sometime in the early 19th century, in the village of Poragacha, in Nadia district in a Bengali Hindu Mahishya family to Kalchandra Biswas.[4] An ancestor of the family, Ghanashyam and the great great great grandfather of Digambar, had migrated from Jessore to Nadia district on the invitation of the Nadia Raj. Their family was one of the few families to be bestowed the title "Biswas" by the Nawabs of Bengal.[5] The Biswases of Poragachha were the Jotedars of the area and hence had a close and personal relationship with the peasants of the neighbouring area. Digambar Biswas and another leader, Bishnu Charan Biswas, of Chaugachha village worked as Dewans of Neelkuthi in their early lives. The Biswases of Chaugachha were related to the Biswases of Poragachha by marriage.[6]

The revolt

Digambar Biswas resigned from his civil service post and started organizing the rebel farmers against the indigo farmers. The rebels did not know how to use weapons, so, he spent his money to bring batons from Barisal and teach the indigo farmers how to use spears and batons, and formed a resistance force. Under his leadership, the indigo rebellion took place across a vast area of Nadia and Jessore districts.[7] Both Digambar and Bishnu Charan spent 17 thousand Mohur during that period to help the farmers and lost everything. It is proven that they considered the interests of the poor farmers as their own interests. In the words of historian Satish Mitra, "The Biswas had some cohesion, but they spent everything they had on this movement. The indigo farmers were furious to break the alliance of the peasants. The Biswas brought sticks from Barisal and beat the countrymen with sticks...".[8] In the history of the peasant revolt in India, Digambar Biswas, is remembered as the main leader of the Indigo Rebellion, and as a visionary.[9][10]

Aftermath

Despite the rebellion gaining huge fame and popularity, there were several harsh consequences endured by the leaders and their families. Digambar Biswas's own village, Poragachha, was attacked multiple times, but he was able to acquire a substantial number of lathiyals to protect it. To enlist more peasants to his cause he paid their debts to the planters, spending enormous sum of 17,000 rupees. Digambar received patronage and protection from a Zamindar of Ranaghat, Srigopal Pal Chowdhury. He continued to lead the peasants in presenting petitions and organizing resistance. Eventually, his funds were exhausted and he died a poor man.[11]

References

  1. ^ "ভারতে কৃষকরা রুখে দাঁড়িয়েছেন বারবার.‌.‌ || Latest Bengali News | Breaking Bangla News - Aajkaal". 2021-06-25. Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  2. ^ Kling, Blair B. (2016-11-11). The Blue Mutiny: The Indigo Disturbances in Bengal, 1859-1862. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-1-5128-0350-1.
  3. ^ Mukherjee, Dr Mohitosh Gayen & Subhajit (2023-09-03). Paschimbanger jela-bhittik gabeshana grantha part - III (in Bengali). Barnashram Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-91281-38-0.
  4. ^ সুবোধচন্দ্র সেনগুপ্ত (1976). SAMSAD BANGLA CHARITABHIDHAN সংসদ বাংলা চরিতাভিধান. p. 199.
  5. ^ Senapati and Das, Uma and Dulal Krishna (2018). মাহিষ্য রত্নাবলী-জীবনী শতক [Mahishya Ratnavali Biographical Century] (in Bengali) (2nd ed.). Kolkata: Tuhina Publications (published 2020). pp. 88 to 90. ISBN 9788194434641.
  6. ^ Mukherjee, Dr Mohitosh Gayen & Subhajit (2023-09-03). Paschimbanger jela-bhittik gabeshana grantha part - III (in Bengali). Barnashram Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-91281-38-0.
  7. ^ Bhattacharya, Subhas (1977). "The Indigo Revolt of Bengal". Social Scientist. 5 (12): 13–23. doi:10.2307/3516809. ISSN 0970-0293.
  8. ^ Ghosh, Kali Charan (1972). Jāgaraṇa o bisphoraṇa (in Bengali). Iṇḍiẏāna Ayāsosiẏeṭeḍa Pābaliśiṃ Koṃ.
  9. ^ Google Books.
  10. ^ Vipul, Singh (September 2009). Longman Vistas 8. Pearson Education India. ISBN 978-81-317-2910-6.
  11. ^ Kling, Blair B. (2016-11-11). The Blue Mutiny: The Indigo Disturbances in Bengal, 1859-1862. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-5128-0350-1.
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