Daring fighter and a Defiant Hero – ‘Krantiveera’ Sangolli Rayanna

-- Aditya Anand , VII-H, FAIPS(DPS)

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Long before the first war of Independence in 1857, in the early part of the 19th Century, an Armed rebellion headed by Rani Chennamma against the British East India Company is tucked away in the History books. This battle widely known as the Anglo Maratha war laid the foundation for the Indian freedom struggle.

One of the heroes of this War was “Krantiveera” Sangolli Rayanna, a Warrior from Kittur under the rule of Rani Chennamma.

Sangolli Rayanna was born on 15th August 1796 in Bailahongala near Belgaum (now known as Belagavi in Karnataka). Ironically 151 years later, India got its Independence from the British on this very day.

Hailing from the Kuruba tribe, Sangolli Rayanna went on to become the first Indian warrior to adopt Guerilla type of warfare against the British.

He was the nemesis of rich and greedy landlords. He and his army went on to destroy Government offices and loot treasuries. He would tax the landlords and distribute these funds to the poor people and further strengthen his army. This angered the British as the funds stopped flowing from this avenue.

After numerous efforts to apprehend him failed, his own uncle Lakshmana Rayanna, backstabbed him and informed the Britishers of his whereabouts.

He was captured in 1830 and was later sentenced to death. On, 26th January, 1831, he was executed by hanging from a Banyan Tree in Nandagad. Ironically yet again, India became a Republic 119 years later on this very day.

It so happened that Rani Chennamma too was captured by the British in the same fashion and was later executed.

His last words before the execution were “I would like to be born in the same place and continue the freedom struggle”.

Today, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna is part of Indian folklore. There is a temple and a statue in Sangolli village, Karnataka, in his honour. Such is his fame that the Bengaluru City railway station was recently renamed after him as “Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station”.

Aditya Anand , VII-H, FAIPS(DPS)