India’s struggle for freedom from British colonial rule was long and arduous. It was a multifaceted movement of armed rebellion, civil disobedience, and political negotiations. However, India is blessed with a large number of valiant freedom fighters. Countless people have selflessly sacrificed their lives and dreams for our motherland. We and generations to come are indebted to them. Tragically, many of these martyrs have been forgotten by history and remain in obscurity. These unsung heroes are deprived of the recognition they rightly deserve.
But not anymore. The Top 10s Only team has made a heartfelt effort to bring these forgotten heroes into the spotlight. Here are the Top 10 Freedom Fighters From Arunachal Pradesh!
List Of 10 Unsung Heros Of Indian Independence From Arunachal Pradesh
Despite being located in the remotest North Eastern part of India, the people of Arunachal Pradesh have taken an active part in anti-colonial resistance activities and movements. Fuelled by patriotism, warriors from all tribes and backgrounds fought fiercely for their country’s freedom. Our list of freedom fighters from Arunachal Pradesh includes many unsung heroes such as Moji Riba, Moje Riba, Ligin Bomjen, etc. So, let’s take a closer look at the exploits of ten of Arunachal’s most fearless freedom fighters.
1. Medhi Raja
Medhi Raja is the first person we have on our Arunachal Pradesh freedom fighters list. The chief of the Kuwatson Akas, Medhi Raja, played a crucial role in the Anglo-Aka relations and the Aglo-Aka war of 1883-1884. Medhi Raja was a visionary leader and a warrior who was well aware of the intention of the Britishers, so he united the Akas and established a diplomatic relationship with the other tribes. The Akas, along with the Mijis (another tribe), initiated a surprise attack on them. Two British soldiers were killed, six were wounded, and two rifles were taken away from the British soldiers by the Akas.
Medhi Raja is an unsung hero in a true sense, as he stood for the welfare of his people and sacrificed his wealth and power to defend his territory from British aggression. Though he lost the war, he could remove the prejudice of the British that the hill tribes were less disciplined and incapable of facing the modern and advanced army.
2. Tana Nanna
Tana Nanna was an exemplary orator and expert in traditional jurisprudence. He showed impeccable courage and bravely fought against the British. He proved that even with simple traditional weapons like battleaxes and knives, we could fight against the invaders. Tana Nanna compelled the British to pay compensation for his people, affected by the cholera epidemic during 1871-1872.
Tana Nanna’s attack on British territory at Amtolah on February 12, 1973, was the ultimate display of strong resistance against colonial power in the foothills of the Brahmaputra Valley. He successfully stopped the penetration of the British into the foothills for at least a few years. Tana Nanna is irrefutably one of the most exemplary heroes of the Indian independence struggle.
3. Moje Riba
Here is the story of one of the most famous freedom fighters of Arunachal Pradesh. Moje believed that the British government had been curtailing development in their area and that they should be overthrown. Moje was the president of the Dipa Congress Committee. Later, because of his experience and leadership qualities, he was appointed as the Gam (village head) of his village.
During an age when elites tried to win the trust of the British government and serve the British, Moje picked a difficult and righteous path along with Moji Riba and inspired many others to do the same. Moje was revered by the community. This was due to the leadership provided by Moje Riba during the Congress movement, not to mention his adept personality. Moje Riba was awarded the Tamra Patra in 1974 at Shillong by K.A.A. Raja, the then Chief Commissioner, on behalf of the Government of India for his contribution to the Indian National Movement.
4. Moji Riba
Moji Riba, at the age of 12, took admission to the Baptist Missionary School at Sadiya and studied there till 1927. He also joined Mission High School at Jorhat, where he studied till 1931. While studying at Jorhat, he was influenced by the preachings of freedom fighters like Maniram Dewan and Piyali Phukan, and Mahatma Gandhi and his movement against colonial rule. Moji was inspired by the stories about the Indian Nationalists and Indian freedom movement told by the Indian teachers in the school in Jorhat. Moji’s exposure, education, and network became the main engine for the Dipa Congress Movement. The Tamra Patra was awarded to Moji on August 15, 1972. He received the award from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
5. Ligin Bomjen
In 1943, the village of Bagra opposed the British order to recruit porters for the Second World War. Hence, as a punishment, the villagers were banned from procuring salt. Ligin, along with his friends, managed to smuggle salt to his village. However, he was forced to serve as a porter.
After serving as a porter and spending considerable time outside his village, Ligin learnt about the Indian National Movement. Young Ligin met Moji at Dari to be a part of the freedom movement. Ligin was the office secretary of the Dipa Congress Committee. He dauntlessly confronted the political officer, P. L. S. James, posted at Pasighat. To commemorate Login Bomjen’s work, he was awarded the Tamra Patra Award on January 26, 1989.
6. Mutmur Jamoh
Matmur Jamoh, the Gam (chief) of the Adi village, extended a warm welcome to Noel Williamson, the Assistant Political Officer at Sadiya, presenting him with gifts during his visit to the Adi hills. However, Noel Williamson not only insulted him but also abused him in front of his tribe. Matmur became determined to take revenge for this insult by killing Williamson.
In March 1911, when Noel Williamson visited the Adi-inhabited areas with Dr. J.D. Gregory, Matmur killed Williamson. His other acquaintances from Kebang killed Dr. Gregorson and his companions. Henceforward, the British Government sent a punitive expedition to the Adi Hills to apprehend Mutmur. After a long set of battles between the British and Adi, Adis lost to the Britishers by December 1911, even after giving their life and blood. On 2 April 1912, Matmur was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by the military.
7. Kemut Pertin
The Anglo-Abor War of 1894 marks an important event in our revolution for freedom. It unveiled the courage of many tribes, who refused to yield to the tyrants. Keemut Pertin fought in the 1894 Anglo-Abor War fearlessly. He was one of the best archers of the time. In 1894, when the British attacked the Adi area (Dambuk), Keemut Pertin strongly defended his people and land.
He fought valorously despite being shot at. Ultimately, Keemut Pertin succumbed to his injuries and died for his people.
8. Ponge Dele And Taji Dele
Ponge Dele and Taji Dele were from Elope village. Ponge Dele was an influential leader. Both were exceptional in the tactical details of guerrilla warfare. They played a crucial role in the resistance against British rule in the Mishmi Hills and during the Sadiya raids. Ponge Dele’s companions damaged the colonial establishment, hurt Britishers in Dikrang, and set military stockades on fire. The colonists failed to arrest Ponge Dele even after repeated efforts. The Second Bebejiya Mishmi Expedition, headed by Captain Dundas in 1914, set out to apprehend Ponge Deland and his accomplice, who were involved in the 1905 raid of Sadiya. Taji Dele moved his people to a safe place and stopped the British army from advancing further.
Taji Dele was arrested in Sadiya and executed on January 29, 1917. During the Third Bebjiya Mishmi Expedition, Ponge Dele faced death bravely in the battlefield on December 9, 1920. In 2020, in an effort to preserve the memory of their sacrifice during the freedom struggle, the foundation stone was laid for erecting the Metaro Pillar. According to Idu Mishmi tradition, “Metaro” is where warriors find eternal rest.
9. Chaupha Planglu
Chaupha Planglu, the chief of Tai Khamtis, was disgruntled about the policies of the Britishers. He devised a plan to free Sadiya province from colonial power. When Tai Khamtis were invited to the durbar by Colonel White, the commanding officer at Sadiy, Chaupha Planglu, utilised this opportunity and attacked the British. He strategised four groups of his men to attack from assigned direction. Colonel Adam White and around 80 officers were killed. Consequently, the British sent punitive expeditions to capture the Tai Khamtis. Despite being injured, Chaupha killed the sepoy. In retaliation, the army fired at him, and he died valiantly.
10. Towa Gohain
Towa Gohain was the Chief of Dirack during the Tai Khamti-Anglo War of 1839. He led the Tai Khamti warriors at Sadiya on 28 January 1839 to attack the British Cantonment. He planned and executed the attack against the Britishers, along with Chaupha Planglu. When the chief of Mooluck refused to join the war against the British, Towa Gohain killed him. After Chaupha Planglu’s death, Towa Gohain assumed the title of the Chief of the Tai Khamtis. He led the Tai Khamtis warriors against the British force.
Many punitive expeditions were sent to capture Towa Gohain, but he not only escaped but also managed to inspire his people to rebel against the colonial suppression. He fought daringly against the British for over 5 years and gave his life for the welfare of his fellow men.
Arunachal Pradesh’s Great Freedom Fighters Of India
Many valiant warriors of freedom laid down their lives or were put into jail during their struggle against the colonial forces. The Adi’s raided the government establishment and attacked patrolling military police. They fought many wars against the British to defend their territory from the invading colonial state. However, the saga of their struggle against invasion in their regions has not been given proper and due recognition. Many valiant warriors of freedom laid down their lives or were put into jail during their struggle against the colonial forces. We hope this article will provide a useful yardstick for future endeavours to put our freedom fighters in the limelight.