Kalu Singh Mahara

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Kalu Singh Mahara was a Kumaoni(Kumauni) leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He is known as a freedom fighter from the state of Uttarakhand, then in the United Province.

Kalu Singh began a campaign named as Krantiveer. It became was popular among freedom loving Kumaonis[1]

Mahara is a surname found in Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand. Some people write their surname in it's variant spelling in English as Mehra[2]

Kalu Singh Mahara was Thakur of Bisung Patti of Kumaon(Kumaun), known as Karnakarayat now. This region is situated near Lohaghat, in district Champawat of Uttarakhand.

The rebellion[]

On receiving a confidential letter from Oudh, Awadh,[3] inviting him and followers to join a rebellion against the British Kalu Singh responded.

The government of Awadh proposed that after regaining power from British, the hill area would be given to locals whereas Tarai (plain area) below thw hills will be governed by Oudh. Kalu Singh Mahara agreed to this campaign against British empire

Skirmishes across the area of Kali , Sui, Gumdesh and adjoining areas, frustrated the British. His militiamen composed mainly of riflemen Bandukchi ambushed and harassed the British forces on several occasions.

However in the end the British quashed the rebellion across northern India. But it led Queen Victoria to declare India as no longer a company territory transforming it into what is known as British India. (see Indian Rebellion of 1857)

Revered in Uttarakhad[]

Kalu Singh Mahara is revered as a hero in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. In 2009 a statue ofvthis freedom fighter was installed in Dehradun the capital of Uttarakhand.

Recently the Uttarakhand postal department released a new first day cover to honour him (https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/amp/uttarakhand-postal-dept-releases-special-envelope-on-kalu-mahara/2178058 )

References[]

  1. ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091108/dun.htm#2
  2. ^ Monika Krengel (1989). Sozialstrukturen im Kumaon. Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden
  3. ^ Arun K. Mittal (1986). British Administration in Kumaon Himalayas: A Historical Study, 1815 – 1947. Mittal Publications - Kumaon Himalaya – p 17, of 249 pages
  • The Himalayan Gazetter by E. T. Atkinson
  • The History of Kumaun by B. D. Pandey

See also[]

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