Raipur
As Chhattisgarh turns 25 on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate country’s first fully-digital tribal museum named the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum.
The Museum will showcase the tribal life, stories of tribal heroes and their folk culture using modern technology and virtual reality. The Prime Minister will also launch the Museum Portal and e-book “Aadi Shourya” – honouring freedom fighters and will unveil the horse-mounted statue of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh at the Memorial Site.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the museum will tell the story of the tribal struggle and movement against oppression. The museum has been built using state-of-the-art technology.
“It should be our collective effort to ensure that future generations are aware of their heritage and legacy. Preserving the struggles that this community has undertaken to protect the interests and cultural heritage of their community is our priority,” said the Chief Minister.
As many as 16 galleries chronicle pivotal moments in tribal resistance history, showcasing the extraordinary courage and determination of tribal communities in their fight for freedom, dignity, and autonomy. Each curated exhibit combines historical artifacts, documentary evidence, and personal testimonies to reveal these powerful yet often overlooked chapters in the struggle against colonialism.
Among the main attractions is a camera installed using artificial intelligence (AI). When one stands in front of it, it will transform his/hers attire and appearance to resemble that of a tribal person. The AI-aided camera will generate images of clothing worn by tribal people, their lifestyle and their natural surroundings like forests to appear as the background.
Some Of The Tribal Rebellions Exhibited In The Museum:
- Halba Rebellion (1774-1779)
It is considered the first tribal rebellion in India. The rebellion emerged from power struggles among feudal lords. After Dariyav Dev’s treacherous attack killed Ajmer Singh, the Halba community revolted. Many Halbas and their chiefs were thrown from waterfalls during the suppression. The conflict drew in both the Marathas and East India Company, ultimately leading to Maratha dominance in Bastar by 1779.
- Surguja Rebellion (1792)
The Surguja Rebellion highlights the tribes’ struggle against British oppression until 1905. During Raja Kulyan Singh’s rule (1818-1830), the British arrested him on false charges. By 1858, over 800 Kol Magat tribals from Surguja and Palamu regions united in revolt against British dominance.
- Bhopalpatnam Rebellion (1795)
The Bhopalpatnam Rebellion (1795) erupted when Captain Blunt, sent by Bengal’s governor, attempted to assess East India Company’s prospects in Bastar. His entry attempts through Rajnandgaon, Chanda, and Ahiri Zamindari sparked tribal resistance to protect their cultural sovereignty.
- Paralkot Rebellion (1824-1825)
It began when British officers and Marathas exploited tribal communities. Zamindar Gaind Singh opposed this exploitation, gathering Abujhmadia tribals in Paralakot. The uprising ended tragically with his execution on January 20, 1825, after British and Marathas forces surrounded Paralakot.
- Tarapur Rebellion (1842-1854)
This rebellion in Bastar’s Bakawand tehsil arose from Bhonsla encroachment and oppressive Takoli taxation. Diwan Dalganjan Singh’s opposition and subsequent replacement by Jagbandhu sparked widespread tribal unrest, leading to armed resistance by Muria, Madia, and Gond tribes.
- Meria Rebellion (1842-1863)
It was a prolonged 21-year struggle in Chhattisgarh. The conflict began when Nagpur’s raja sent forces to end the Meria practice, leading to resistance by Maria tribals under Hidma Manjhi’s leadership against British intervention in their customs.
- Koi Rebellion (1859)
The Koi Rebellion (1859) erupted after British influence grew following King Bhopal Dev’s death. Local resistance intensified when a Hyderabad trader’s timber contract led to tribal exploitation. Leaders like Jugga Raju organized armed resistance against British economic policies.
- Linga Garh Rebellion (1856)
The Lingagiri Rebellion (1856-1860) exemplified tribal resistance against British oppression. Under leaders like Dhurwarav and Telanga, Maria and Gond tribes fought from Chintalar hills. The British response was brutal, with 480 women and children captured and tribal leaders executed.
- Sonakhan Rebellion (1857)
This rebellion emerged from conflicts over Takoli collection between Zamindar Ramrai and the Marathas. After Ramrai’s death, his successor Narayan Singh actively addressed public grievances, leading to British persecution and his eventual execution in December 1857.
- Rani-Cho-Ris Movement (1878)
This was a unique uprising led by tribal women against both the Raja and British authorities. The conflict arose when Raja Bhairamdev was forced to marry Jawa Bai, leading to widespread protests by local tribal women.
- Bhumkal Rebellion (1910)
It aimed to establish Muria rule in Bastar and protect regional identity. Led by Diwan Lal Kalindra Singh and Queen Subran Kunwar, the uprising began with closing Puspal Bazaar and included a 12-day siege of Jagdalpur.
PM’S POWER-PACKED ITINERARY
- Interaction with 2500 children successfully treated of congenital heart diseases in the ‘Gift of life’ ceremony at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar
- Unveiling the statue of Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at the new building of Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar
- Participation in Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav, marking 25 years of formation of the State
- Inauguration and laying of foundation stone for developmental and transformative projects worth over Rs 14,260 crore, covering key sectors such as roads, industry, healthcare, and energy
- Inauguration of 12 new Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) blocks across nine districts
- Participation in Griha Pravesh of 3.51 lakh completed houses and release of Rs 1200 Crore as installment to 3 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
- Foundation stone for four-lane Greenfield Highway from Pathalgaon–Kunkuri to the Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand Border at a cost of around Rs 3,150 crore. Strategic corridor will connect key coal mines, industrial zones, and steel plants across Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur
- Foundation stone for the construction and upgradation of NH-130D (Narayanpur–Kasturmeta–Kutul–Nilangur–Maharashtra Border), spanning multiple segments across Bastar and Narayanpur districts
