Freedom Fighters of Odisha
1. Buxi Jagabandhu (Buxi Paik)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jagabandhu Bidyadhara |
| Born–Died | 1773 – 27 Oct 1825 |
| Region | Khurda, Odisha |
| Role | Paika (Warrior) Leader |
| Movement | Paika Rebellion, 1817 |
| Key Contribution | Led the first armed revolt against the East India Company |
Profile:
Jagabandhu, known as Buxi Paik, commanded the Paika militia when British revenue demands and land seizures spurred the 1817 uprising. He organized Paika warriors into disciplined regiments, coordinated simultaneous attacks on government stations, and temporarily reclaimed Khurda. Although the revolt was suppressed, his leadership demonstrated Odisha’s martial traditions and inspired future resistance. Today, he is honored as a pioneer of the Indian armed struggle.
2. Veer Surendra Sai
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Surendra Sai |
| Born–Died | 1809 – 28 Feb 1884 |
| Region | Sambalpur, Odisha |
| Role | Tribal Chief, Guerrilla Leader |
| Movement | Sambalpur Uprisings, 1827–62 |
| Key Contribution | Sustained guerrilla warfare for 35 years |
Profile:
A scion of the Sambalpur royal house, Surendra Sai resisted British annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse. He transformed fragmented tribal bands into covert guerrilla units, striking supply lines and government posts. His 35‑year campaign through dense forests compelled the British to negotiate. Exiled but revered, he became a symbol of tribal defiance and resilience—his name still invoked in Odisha’s folk songs.
3. Gopabandhu Das (Utkal Gourav)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gopabandhu Das |
| Born–Died | 9 Oct 1877 – 17 Jun 1928 |
| Region | Puri, Odisha |
| Role | Educationist, Journalist, Congress Leader |
| Movement | Non‑Cooperation & Civil Disobedience |
| Key Contribution | Founded Satyabadi School; led Salt Satyagraha |
Profile:
Called “Utkal Gourav” (Pride of Odisha), Das founded a nationalist boarding school at Satyabadi, emphasizing character and service. He wrote passionately against colonial injustices, and in 1930 organized Salt Satyagraha marches along the coast. Imprisoned multiple times, his moral leadership fused education with activism—his vision shaped Odisha’s intellectual and social awakening.
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4. Madhusudan Das (Madhu Babu)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madhusudan Das |
| Born–Died | 28 Apr 1848 – 4 Feb 1934 |
| Region | Cuttack, Odisha |
| Role | Lawyer, Social Reformer |
| Movement | Early Nationalism |
| Key Contribution | Championed separate Odisha province |
Profile:
Known as “Madhu Babu,” he was the first Odia to earn an English law degree. As founder of Utkal Sammilani, he rallied Odias dispersed across Bengal and Madras presidencies to demand a unified Odisha state. His legal prowess and eloquence before the British in Calcutta initiated the movement that led to Odisha’s creation in 1936.
5. Laxman Naik
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laxman Naik |
| Born–Died | 1919 – 14 Jun 1943 |
| Region | Nabarangpur, Odisha |
| Role | Quit India Activist, Martyr |
| Movement | Quit India, 1942 |
| Key Contribution | Hoisted tricolor at local police station |
Profile:
A young teacher, Naik defied British orders to lower the national flag in Nabarangpur. After hoisting the tricolor on 14 June 1943, he was arrested, tortured, and hanged. His sacrifice galvanized rural Odisha, and his story is taught in schools as an example of youthful courage in the Quit India Movement.
6. Parbati Giri
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Parbati Giri |
| Born–Died | 12 Aug 1926 – 1995 |
| Region | Balangir, Odisha |
| Role | Youth Activist, Social Worker |
| Movement | Quit India & Post‑Independence Relief |
| Key Contribution | Organized women’s satyagraha; famine relief |
Profile:
At 16, Giri ran underground communication lines for Quit India volunteers. After 1947, she devoted her life to famine relief and women’s education in western Odisha. Her work with Leprosy Rehabilitation and blood donation drives reflect Gandhian service—Odisha’s Government awarded her the Padma Shri posthumously.
7. Chakhi Khuntia
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chakhi Charan Khuntia |
| Born–Died | 1827 – 1895 |
| Region | Puri, Odisha |
| Role | Temple Priest, Revolutionary Supporter |
| Movement | Revolt of 1857 |
| Key Contribution | Supplied arms and shelter to 1857 rebels |
Profile:
As a priest at the Jagannath Temple, Khuntia had extensive regional contacts. During 1857, he covertly funneled weapons and food to rebel sepoys fleeing Bengal. His safe houses in Puri allowed injured fighters to recover, earning him the moniker “Rebel Priest.” He evaded British detection and lived out his life quietly after independence.
8. Baji Rout
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Baji Rout |
| Born–Died | 8 Oct 1926 – 11 Oct 1938 |
| Region | Dhenkanal, Odisha |
| Role | Child Martyr |
| Movement | Salt Satyagraha |
| Key Contribution | Drowned rather than ferry British police |
Profile:
Twelve-year-old Rout refused to pilot a police launch during a salt protest. When officers fired, he jumped into the Brahmani River, sacrificing his life. Odisha’s youngest martyr, schools, and memorials honor his bravery; his death inspired children’s participation in the independence struggle nationwide.
9. Rama Devi Choudhury
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ramadevi Choudhury |
| Born–Died | 3 Jan 1899 – 30 Dec 1985 |
| Region | Cuttack, Odisha |
| Role | Gandhian, Social Activist |
| Movement | Khadi & Salt Movements |
| Key Contribution | Led khadi drive; jailed for picketing |
Profile:
A close associate of Gandhi, Rama Devi organized rural khadi weaving cooperatives and led women’s salt marches along Odisha’s coast. Arrested for picketing liquor shops, she spent months in jail. In independence’s aftermath, she continued rural development and women’s education, earning the title “Mataji of Odisha.”
10. Kanu Charan Das
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kanu Charan Das |
| Born–Died | 1910 – 1988 |
| Region | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| Role | Lawyer, Freedom Activist |
| Movement | Civil Disobedience & Quit India |
| Key Contribution | Organized student protests; defended activists |
Profile:
A lawyer by training, Das led student strikes in Utkal University during the 1930s Civil Disobedience. In 1942, he set up a clandestine legal cell defending underground activists in Bhubaneswar. Post-independence, he served as a judge, ensuring the new republic upheld the civil liberties fought for during the struggle.
