Tribute to martyrs of Sepoy Mutiny in Malegarh, Karimganj; Demands raised to make it a tourist destination

Malegarh is a small village along the India-Bangladesh border near Latu in Karimganj district, with a unique historical value and significance. This village has been part of the first struggle for India’s Independence from British Colonial power in 1VIII57. Karimganj District Administration, 07 Battalion of BSF, and an NGO Patkai Trekkers jointly held a program on Malegarh today and offered tribute to the martyrs of Battle of Malegarh, which was in continuation of great Sepoy mutiny. This year the event was a bit low-key owing to the COVID SOPs; no slew programs were arranged this year, only the 26 martyrs were garlanded and honored through the program.

Vikram Singh, the Commandant of BSF 07 Battalion, honored the martyr posts with floral garlands from Patkai Trekkers Saied Mujib Ahmed, the event’s convener, offered the tributes to the martyr posts. BSF offered a guard of honor to the glorious patriots of Sepoy Mutiny, and BSF had also organized a universal prayer conference.      

Patkai trekkers demanded that the Malegarh Battleground be declared a National Heritage spot. Sudarshan Bhattacharjee, the Block Education Officer, addressed and reflected on the history and significance of the Sepoy Mutiny. He said that the Battle of Malegarh was not only the part of Sepoy’ Mutiny’ but also the first ‘war’ for the freedom of India. The demand for overthrowing British Colonial Power first came out in a revolt from the British Indian Army. Deputy Commissioner Bipul Kumar Das also addressed the event. He said that the BSF’s engagement in the conservation and tributaries is very significant and a matter of pride. He also noted that there are many memoirs and martyrs posts for the 1965, 1971 wars. Still, regretfully, he said that there’s not much value and attention given to the Malegarh Tila, which is bearing the legacy of India’s first war of independence. He told District Administration is committed to preserving this place.    

Arup Ray, memver of Patkai Trekkers said that Malegarh should be a part of tourism maps. Many other local governments and non-government institutions and organizations participated in that event and offered their honor to the martyrs.

The great Sepoy Mutiny is regarded as the first struggle for the emancipation of India from colonial powers. The Indian-origin armies in British Indian Army from Barackpore cantonment revolted against the higher authorities on March 29, 157. The revolt was engendered based on a rumor regarding the Enfiled Rifle, and soon the uprising sparked across different Barracks of the British Indian Army. The revolt wave even reached the distant part of Chittagong hill track. 34 Navy infantry was deployed at Chattogram at that time. More than three hundred army men were there in that Barrack. They revolted on November 1 that year, attacked the prisons, and set free all prisoners.      

They grabbed almost 3 Lac rupees from the treasury along with three elephants, arms, and ammunition. Then they went to Tripura via Comilla (the then Tipperah district). When the comrades of 34 infantry reached Tripura, British Administrations were informed about their seditious activities. They moved through dense forest, defeated hilly terrains, and took shelter at the Bank of Longai River.

On the other side, British Army got the information that the treasonous hid inside a dense forest in Pratapgarh (now Patarkandi). British Major Bing moved his infantries Sylhet to Pratapgarh by covering a distance of 36 hours on December 17. But British Major received secret information that the revolting armies are staying in Latu, situated at North at 2VII Mile distance from Paratapgarh. The British Army under Major BIng then started to move towards Latu in the night. But revolting armies were also prepared for the ambush, and they attacked the British Army and killed four British Army along with Major Bing. The battle continued till the following day, and 26 Revolting armies were martyred here at the Malegarh Tila. Few names of martyrs of Malegarh are known and inscribed, but many remain unidentifiable. They were buried in the Malegarh Tila. Patkai trekkers – an organization of journalists from Barak and Brahmaputra Valley, has been organizing this honor ceremony in Malegarh for the last 15 years. They get cooperation from both BSF and the District Administration of Karimganj.