Participation of Aurangabad in first war of Independence observed at Kham River

Aurangabad, 下下下下下June载载载载载 23:

A total of 24 freedom fighters from Aurangabad sacrificed their lives in the first freedom struggle of India in 1857. Referring to the mention of revolt in the Aurangabad District Gazetteer, the noted historian Dr Shaikh Ramzan underlined that Aurangabad was the only place in South India where there was a revolution against the British. The initiative gave momentum to the freedom struggle in the country. Of the 24 freedom fighters, 21 were shot and three were blown in the air by placing in front of the cannons at Kala Chabutra (today's Kranti Chowk)). The conflict had taken place at the iron bridge (Lokhandi Pool) built over Kham River.

A programme to commemorate the participation of Aurangabad’s soldiers and civilians in India’s first war of independence was organised by the Aurangabad Cantonment Board (ACB), Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL) today morning on the banks of Kham River.

Dr Ramzan highlighted the series of events that took place between June 9 and June 23, 1857, and the significance of the Kham River in the freedom struggle. The district collector Sunil Chavan, Station Commander Brigadier Upinder Singh Anand (SM), AMC administrator A K Pandey, ACB chief executive officer Vikrant More and other officials and citizens were present to pay homage to our soldiers and civilians.

Kala Chabutra at Kranti Chowk

While delivering his keynote address on the topic '1857' s first freedom struggle and participation of Aurangabad's freedom fighters' Dr Shaikh Ramzan said, " Tatyarao Tope and Nanasaheb Peshwa had inspired the Hindu and Muslim platoons in the army to revolt against the British. The Britishers got wind of a revolt in Aurangabad which had taken place between June 9 and 19, 1857. Later on, Captain Abbott arrived with an army from Nasik and General Woodburn also arrived with his army from Ahmednagar. The names of revolutionary soldiers and civilians were read out at Kranti Chowk. In the meantime, a head constable Amir Khan fired a shot at his commanding officer Capt. Abbott, but got saved. After the incident, the freedom fighters were tried at the court-martial and to terrorise the people, the Britishers took out a rally from Paithan Gate to Kranti Chowk with three freedom fighters tied in front of the cannons and later on blew them at Kranti Chowk. Later on, 21 others were shot and hanged at Kala Chabutra. Hence the place is today called Kranti Chowk, said Dr Ramzan.

Plantation in name of martyrs

The dignitaries present on the occasion also released the book " Aurangabad and 1857's freedom struggle' penned by Dr Ramzan on the occasion. The AMC administrator Pandey apprised about the ecological restoration and beautification of the Kham River project undertaken for the past six months. Brigadier Anand highlighted the historical importance of Aurangabad, Daulatabad, and Paithan. The district collector Chavan said the history is remembered if it is written by us. Every citizen should live life to bring a change and make a valuable contribution which he should be remembered for. ACB-CEO Vikrant More made an introductory speech, while ASCDCL's Aditya Tiwari conducted the proceedings. The dignitaries present on the occasion also planted 24 plants in the memory of these martyrs. Besides, the iron bridge will also be lit up to commemorate the occasion.

District mining officer Atul Daud, Eco Sattva's Gauri Mirashi, ASCDCL’s Ram Paunikar, Siddharth Bansod, Sneha Bakshi, Arpita Sharad and AMC’s senior sanitary inspector Asadullah Khan were present on the occasion.

Forgotten past

Former vice-president of ACB Karansingh Kakas said, " In the British period, the British officers and their families were permitted to spend leisure time in the morning and evening hours on the banks of the river stretched between Lokhandi Pool to Banewadi. Indians were not allowed. The chattri built on the grave of Bikaner's Maharaja Karansingh's son Rao Mohan Singh is near the iron bridge. He was murdered near Town Hall. Besides, the irrigation on 300 acres of land in Cantonment was dependent on Kham River once upon a time.``