Chanku Mahato (9 February 1816 – 15 May 1856) was a freedom fighter of British India hailing from Kudmi Mahato community.[1][2][3] Born in Rangamatia village of Godda district in British India. He was one of the leaders of Santhal rebellion, who mobilized Mahatos to fight against the atrocities of Britishers.[4][5][6]

Chanku Mahato
Born(1816-02-09)February 9, 1816
DiedMay 15, 1856(1856-05-15) (aged 40)
Bank of Kajhiya river
Rajkachari, Godda
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Known forLeader of Kudmi Mahatos in Santhal Rebellion

Overview

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Chanku Mahato organised various movement to fight against Britishers during the Santhal rebellion. Ranabir Samaddar argues that apart from Santhals, other aboriginal inhabitants of the region like Mahatos, Kamars, Bagdis, Bagals and others also participated in the rebellion.[7] The Mahatos were participated under leadership of Chanku Mahato.[8] The folklore related to Santhal rebellion is like:[9]

... Sidhu Kanu khurkhurir upare, Chand-Vairab lahare lahare; Chanku Mahato, Rama Gope lahare lahare, Challu Jolha lahare lahare.

His slogan was:

... Aapon mati, Aapon dana, Pet kati nihi debo khajna.[4]

He was arrested by Britishers and hanged to death in Godda near Kajhiya river bank on May 15, 1856.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Religion and Society. 1994.
  2. ^ Māhāta, Paśupati Prasāda (2000). Sanskritization Vs Nirbakization. Sujan Publications. ISBN 978-81-85549-29-3.
  3. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India: West Bengal. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7046-300-9.
  4. ^ a b "जानिए, कौन थे झारखंड के गोड्डा निवासी चानकू महतो, जिन्हें अंग्रेजों ने कझिया नदी के किनारे लटका दिया था फांसी पर". m.jagran.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  5. ^ "शहीद चानकु महतो की जयंती पर प्रतिमा का अनावरण". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  6. ^ Mahto, Shailendra (2021-01-01). Jharkhand Mein Vidroh Ka Itihas (in Hindi). Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-90366-63-7.
  7. ^ Partha Chatterjee, ed. (1995). Texts of Power: Emerging Disciplines in Colonial Bengal. Minneapolis, London: University of Minnesota Press. p. 191. ISBN 978-0-8166-2686-1. JSTOR 10.5749/j.ctttsttm.
  8. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (2008). People of India: Bihar, including Jharkhand (2 pts). Anthropological Survey of India. p. 584. ISBN 978-81-7046-303-0.
  9. ^ Mishra, Asha; Paty, Chittaranjan Kumar (2010). Tribal Movements in Jharkhand, 1857-2007. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-686-2.
  10. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (2008). People of India: Bihar, including Jharkhand (2 pts). Anthropological Survey of India. p. 584. ISBN 978-81-7046-303-0.