Haradatta Choudhury

Haradatta Choudhury
Born (1745-01-00)January , 1745
Kamrup
Died January 1, 1800(1800-01-01) (aged 55)
Kamrup
Nationality Indian
Occupation Zamindar
Known for Fighting against oppressive occupation of Kamrup by Ahom's
Religion Hinduism

Haradatta Choudhury was revolutionary from Kamrup, now in Assam, India, who fought against oppressive occupation of Kamrup by Ahoms, along with his brother Birdatta Choudhury.[1]

Early life

Hardatta Choudhury was born in a rich zamindar family, of Jikeri, Kamrup.

Rebellion

In late seventeenth century, Ahoms occupied Kamrup. Their presence was usually marked by cruelty and tyranny. These events led to general discontent, among common people of Kamrup.[2] Ultimately, as a last resort people decided to expel the Ahoms from their lands.[3] The revolt, was born with the leadership of the two brothers Hardatta and Birdatta Choudhury. In about 1798, the brothers raised a small mercenary of Hindustanis and Punjabis, and declared war against the tyrannical occupants.[4]

In spite of a lack of resources, they fought with such a zeal that within a short period they were able to regain all of northern Kamrup. They held Kamrup for some time, then eventually laid down their lives for the cause, against an organised army, but this marked the commencement of the end of interference by Ahoms in Kamrup.

National hero

Due to heroics and sacrifice of brothers, they are still remembered in Kamrup, in form of ballads such as Padmakumarir Geet depicting their bravery.[5]

See also

Dundiya rebellion

References

  1. ↑ Journal of Regional History Volume 4, 1996, Page 36 An important landmark of this period was the revolt of Haradatta Choudhury (1795) of Kamrup against the oppressive rule of Ahom governor of Guwahati
  2. ↑ Praphulla Candra Bhūñā, "Lakshminath Bezbaruah: Influence of Tradition on His Writings", 1995, Page 290 The revolt of Hardatta and Birdatta against the ruling Ahom monarch is provoked by his tyranny as well as the cruelty of his Viceroy Kaliabhomora.
  3. ↑ The Eastern Anthropologist - Page 137, 2006 They were recruited along with some other soldiers by two brothers, Hardatta and Birdatta, in connection with a secret manoeuvre to expel the Ahoms from Guwahati during 1790 A.D.
  4. ↑ Col Ved Prakash, Encyclopaedia Of North-east India Vol 1, 2007, Page 211 About 1798, two brothers, Har Datta and Bir Datta, with secret help from Raja of Koch Bihar and Bijni, raised a band of Hindustani and Punjabi (mercenary) refugees and declared their independence. North Kamrup fell to them.
  5. ↑ Kamal Narayan Choudhury, Folklore in North-Eastern India, 2001, Page 101 Another celebrated ballad kind is 'Padmakumarir Geet' which deals with the revolt of Hardatta and Birdatta Choudhury in the late eighteenth century at Jikeri in Kamrup district
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