Chuar Rebellion

Chuar Rebellion was occurred in 1798-99. Chuar Rebellion was a massive rebellion that broke out in South-West Bankura district and in North-West Midnapore district.

The British East India Company and some Zamindars of Midnapore were engaged in curbing the rebellion ruthlessly. The Local feudal lords called the tribal people as pigs. In Bengali, they are termed as "Char". That is why the name of the rebellion is Chuar Rebillion.

The Chuar rebellion was mostly concentrated in the Midnapore District and Bankura District. They depended for their existence on the wealth of the forests and cultivated with primitive methods.

During the Mughal period, the law and order of the Bengal administration was maintained in the villages with the help of Paiks. When they were dismissed from service during the British East India Company, they too joined the Chuar revolt along with the tribal people.

In the year 1798, nearly 1500 rebels led by Durjan Singh, established their rule in 30 villages of Raipur Pargana. They attacked the headquarters of the British East India Company, after a fierce battle with the armies of British East India Company. But they were defeated. However, in Shalbani, the rebels were victorious and destroyed the army barracks of British East India Company. Finally, by means of bloody repression and the usual policy of divide and rule, British were able to crush the Chuar Rebellion.

In 1806, the British confiscated the Laiks of Bogir. The Laiks were close to the Chuars With the deep Sal forest of Gangani near Garbetta their headquarters and led by the indomitable Achal Sinha, the Laiks revolted against the British Raj. They adopted guerrilla tactics to fight against British.

Ultimately, the British destroyed the entire forest by heavy artillery fire. Yet some Laiks, headed by Achal Sinha escaped and repeatedly harried the British. An act of treachery led to the arrest of Achal and he was sentenced to death. In 1816, the Chuar rebellion was finally crushed and some 200 rebels were brutally executed.