Chhattisgarh has joined the league of 13 States, whose tableau will roll out on Rajpath at the 2014 Republic Day parade. The State’s proposal for a ‘tableau’ on the theme of ‘Gundadhur— Hero of Bhumkal Movement’ has been accepted by the Ministry of Defence.
Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Sunil Kumar was informed through a letter by the national experts’ committee about the approval being given to the State’s tableau in the last leg of selection process. Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh congratulated the public for the achievement and said that it was a matter of pride for the State.
Public Relations Department Secretary Aman Kumar Singh said the tableau would depict the ‘Bhumkal Freedom movement of 1910’ which was the largest tribal movement of its time in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The movement symbolised the struggle of tribal people against British rule attempting to redesign the advasi pattern of life.
He said that out of 28 States that have sent their proposal for tableau in Republic Day parade to the Defence Ministry, only 13 States have got the thumbs up after a long selection process which lasted four months. Other States, whose tableau will be part of Republic Day Parade are: Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and Meghalaya.
Earlier also, tableaux of Chhattisgarh have got the honour of being selected for the Republic Day parade. In 2006, tableau of Chhattisgarh based on the theme ‘traditional ornaments’ won the first prize. Tableau depicting the ‘Kutumbsar Caves’ of Chhattisgarh begged the third prize in 2010. In 2013, again a tableau on ‘Sirpur’ was chosen for the third prize.
Public Relations Director O P Chaudhary said the tableau will showcase the significant role of a courageous and truthful leader – Gundadhur, who influenced the tribes of Bastar to raise their voice against the British rule. He said the tribal people of Bastar will always remember the sacrifice made by Gundadhur. As a mark of respect for this brave freedom fighter, Chhattisgarh government has also started ‘Gundadhur Award’ for exemplary performance in the field of sports and administrative work.
Gundadhur—Hero of Bhumkal
Gundadhur was a simple tribal belonging to Dhurwa clan. He was born in village Nethanar of Bastar district. But what made him stand out in the crowd was his charismatic personality. He was a robust man of six feet with natural leadership instincts. He used to keep a long sword, tie a white cloth around his waist, and wear necklaces made up of bright colouful stones and a white turban with colourful feathers.
In 1905, the British colonial government proposed reservation of two-third of the Kanger forest area and stopped cultivation, hunting and collection of forest produce. Tribal people were forced to shift from the forest and those who were allowed to stay in the reserved areas had to work for the forest department.
The tribals opposed the proposal feeling that their inalienable right over forest has been subverted. Due to the excessive revenue demands of the colonial rule, several tribal villages were given on lease to ‘Thekedars’, who adopted extremely oppressive means to collect revenues from the tribals.
These issues were discussed among the people in bazaars and wherever the headmen of several villages assembled. Gundadhur played a significant role in organizing tribes in Bastar and influencing them to raise their voice against the British rule. Mango boughs, chilies and arrows were circulated in villages as symbols to invite villagers to fight against the British. Every village contributed something to the movement expenses.
Gundadhur along with his teammates Dabridhur, Aayatu Mahra, Dunga Majhi and Roda Padda attacked all those who were associated with the British and their oppressive laws and destroyed the communication network of British. The tribals used traditional weapons like bow-arrow, axe, spear and battleaxe to fight against British. Houses of British officials, police stations were burnt and British granaries were looted and grains redistributed to the poor.
The British sent troops led by officers Duke and Radal to suppress the movement. Gundadhur tried to negotiate but the British fired their camps and villages. Although the British succeeded, they never managed to capture Gondadhur. Still now, tribal people of the Kanger forest praise the heroic acts of Gundadhur in folklore and stories.