1837 Sullia Peasant Revolt: Memorial likely after recognition under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’

Team Udayavani, Mar 26, 2021, 11:49 AM IST

Sullia: The Central government had identified Banglegudde at Bellare in the taluk here as one of the historical sites under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

It is one of the three sites identified from Karnataka and has raised hopes of the locals here that this recognition will help in building a monument for the great event that occurred here in 1837.

In 1804, a British treasury office was built here (the building was the office of the Bellare gram panchayat’s village accountant till 2015).

On March 30, 1837, more than 2 thousand peasants organized a siege of the treasury. The collector and his staff fled to Mangaluru. Later, the peasants conquered many areas as far as Vitla.

On April 5, the peasants brought down the flag of the British Empire on Bavutagudde near Mangaluru and hoisted the flag of the Kingdom of Kodagu.

The 1834 revolt occurred because of a lack of proper prices for the peasants’ agricultural produce and forcing them to pay cash taxes.

The revolt was quelled after British troops were brought from Thalassery and Mumbai.

The leaders of the revolt were publicly executed.

No trace of this historical event exists anywhere in Sullia today. The treasury house remains intact even after the office of the village accountant was moved.

With the Central government’s move to accord a historical site tag to the place, chances are that grants will be provided to build a monument.

Minister S Angara, Kota Srinivas Poojary and the Deputy Commissioner will be participating in an event on March 27 commemorating the event.

“The Sullia peasant revolt is the epitome of our freedom struggle. It is our pride. We have considered building a library and a monument. Soon request for grants will be sent,” said Minister Angara.

“So far there was just hope that a monument will be built someday. However, now with the cooperation of the Central government and Minister S Angara’s effort grants will soon be received for building the memorial to pay respects to those who sacrificed themselves in the revolt,” said litterateur Dr Prabhakar Shishila.