Kanaklata Barua

Kanaklata Barua (22 December 1924 – 20 September 1942), also called Birbala and Shaheed (martyr), was an Indian independence activist and AISF leader who was shot dead by British police[1] while leading a procession bearing the National Flag during the Quit India Movement of 1942.[2]

Kanaklata Barua
Kanaklata Barua’s sculpture at Borngabari, Gohpur
Born(1924-12-22)22 December 1924
Borangabari, Gohpur, Darrang district (now in Sonitpur District)
Died20 September 1942(1942-09-20) (aged 17)
Borangabari, Gohpur
MovementIndian Independence movement

Early life
A sculpture at Kanaklata Udyan or Rock Garden at Tezpur, Assam, describing the incident.

Barua was born in the Borangabari village of the undivided Darrang district of Assam as the daughter of Krishna Kanta and Karneshwari Barua. Her grandfather Ghana Kanta Barua was a famous hunter in Darrang. Her ancestors were from the Dolakakharia Barua kingdom of the erstwhile Ahom state who relinquished the Dolakakharia title and continued retaining Barua title. Her mother died when she was only five and her father, who remarried, died when she reached thirteen. She went to school till class three but then dropped out to take care of her younger siblings.[3]

Independence activism

During the Quit India Movement Barua joined the Mrityu Bahini, a death squad comprising groups of youth from the Gohpur sub division of Assam. On 20 September 1942, the Bahini decided it would hoist the national flag at the local police station. A procession of unarmed villagers were led by Barua to do so. The police under Rebati Mahan Som the officer in-charge of the police station warned the procession of dire consequences if they proceeded with their plan. Undeterred by the police, the procession continued marching ahead when the police fired upon the procession. Barua was shot and the flag she was carrying with her was taken up by Mukunda Kakoti who too was shot at. Both Barua and Kakoti were killed in the police action. Barua was only 17 years of age at the time of her martyrdom.[4]

Death and commemoration

The Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Kanak Lata Barua of the Indian Coast Guard, commissioned in 1997, is named after Barua.[5] A life size statue of hers was unveiled at Gauripur in 2011.[6] Her impassioned speech before her death, remains a source of inspiration for many. She laid down her life for the freedom of the country at the age of 17 years.[7]

Her story was retold in director Chandra Mudoi's film, Epaah Phulil Epaah Xoril. The Hindi version of the movie, titled Purab Ki Awaz, was also released to reach a wider audience.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Kanaklata Barua | Swaheed Kanaklata Barua | Assamese women in Indian independence movement". www.assaminfo.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. Pathak, Guptajit (2008). Assamese Women in Indian Independence Movement: With a Special Emphasis on Kanaklata Barua. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. p. 52. ISBN 9788183242332.
  3. "KANAKLATA BARUA (1924-1942)". Stree Shakti. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  4. "Due recognition for Kanaklata, Mukunda sought". The Assam Tribune. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. p. 306. ISBN 9781591149552.
  6. "Statue of Kanaklata Barua unveiled". The Assam Tribunal. 1 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  7. "Kanaklata Barua was an Indian Freedom Fighter from Assam. She joined Quit India Movement. According… Translated to Hindi". www.translate.com. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  8. "Kanaklata story in Hindi". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
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