Dalits Participation in the 1857 Revolt: Mythical Narratives
The Dalits of northern India have an emotional link with the 1857 War of Independence for they believe that it was initiated by them. They claim that the Soldier Revolt by the mostly Dalit Indian soldiers in the British Army that took place in Barrackpore in 1857, snowballed into the War of Independence. In the Majhauwa village of Azamgarh district of UP there are four cemented stones shich are called Shahid Baba by the villagers. The Dalits of this village worship these stones with red powder for their future happiness. On enquiring about the history of these stones, the village school master said that four Chamars of this village laid down their lives during the 1857 rebellion. These four men started appearing in the dreams of the villagers and conveying messages saying that if they prayed to these four martyrs they would all prosper. Since then they have been incarnated as gods in the eyes of the villagers and pray them for happiness and prosperity. These are examples which show how...
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