Chakra Bisoi: The Rebel Leader of Ghumusar (Odisha)

Syllabus: Modern History (UPSC Prelims)

Background

• The 19th century saw several tribal uprisings in India against British colonial rule.
• In Ghumusar (present-day Odisha), British interference in succession issues, heavy taxation, and religious intrusion angered the Khond tribes.
• The Khond Rebellions were led first by Dora Bisoi, and later by his nephew Chakra Bisoi.

Early Life

• Chakra Bisoi was born into a patriotic family; his father, Ram Singh Bakshi, was killed by British troops in 1837.
• Deeply scarred by his father’s death, Chakra joined his uncle Dora Bisoi in guerrilla resistance against the British.
• He gained experience in military tactics and leadership during years of hiding in the forests.

Leadership and the Khond Rebellion (1840–1856)

• After Dora Bisoi’s death, Chakra Bisoi took charge of the Khond rebellion in 1840.
• The Madras Forest Act (1882) and the suppression of Meriah sacrifices, a tribal ritual, alienated the Khonds.
• The British Agent, Captain S.C. Macpherson, hurt tribal sentiments through harsh enforcement of reforms.
• Chakra Bisoi used this discontent to rally the Khonds, presenting himself as the “Champion of the Meriah” and protector of tribal traditions.

The 1846 Rebellion

• When Macpherson arrested Bira Khanro, a Khond leader, Chakra Bisoi mobilized the Khonds for an armed uprising.
• A large tribal force surrounded Macpherson’s camp at Bissipara, forcing him to release captives.
• Later, the Khonds attacked the camp again, compelling the British to retreat temporarily.
• British forces under General Dyce retaliated in late 1846, burning villages and suppressing the revolt, though resistance continued sporadically.

Continued Resistance and British Response

• Despite military setbacks, Chakra Bisoi continued guerrilla warfare, receiving support from the Raja of Angul and other local rulers.
• The British deposed the Raja of Angul (1848) and brought the region under direct control.
• Chakra Bisoi moved across Baud, Kalahandi, and Patna States, evading capture while keeping the rebellion alive.
• Rewards were offered for his arrest, but he remained elusive in the Khondmal forests.

Later Years

• By the early 1850s, Bisoi’s movement weakened due to continuous suppression and loss of allies.
• He was accused of inciting the Orladhoni attack (1855) in Kalahandi, though evidence was lacking.
• The British intensified efforts to capture him, with operations across Odisha and adjoining regions.
• Reports suggest he took shelter in Patna State, later in Khondmals, continuing resistance until his disappearance in 1856.

Death and Legacy

• Chakra Bisoi disappeared from historical records after 1856, believed to have died before the Revolt of 1857.
• His valour and resistance made him one of the earliest tribal freedom fighters of Odisha, alongside Buxi Jagabandhu and Veer Surendra Sai.
• He is remembered as a symbol of tribal defiance, courage, and patriotism in India’s early anti-colonial struggle.

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