Unsung heroes of 1857 mutiny must be acknowledged-Nitish

Patna, July 25 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the contributions of the freedom fighters from Bihar in the Revolt of 1857 must be acknowledged through the pages of history.

Inaugurating a national seminar on ''150th anniversary of 1857 Revolt'', Mr Kumar highlighted the role of the people from Bihar in India's first war of Independence and said their sacrifices were great.

He said Bihar was a nerve knot of the Revolt and thousands had lost their lives and livelihood in the freedom movement especially during the sepoy mutiny.

He said among others who sacrificed their lives during the freedom strugle were Vir Bahadur Kunwar Singh, Pir Ali, Ghulam Ali, Waris Ali, Maulvi Ali Karim and Jubba Sahni. There were lot of people from the state who sacrificed their loved ones to liberate their motherland from the tyranny of the East India Company.

''But what is stunning here is that they don't find a mention in the country's history, though their sacrifies were of utmost importance,'' he said.

Mr Kumar said though the sepoy mutiny, which was a failed effort, gave a new meaning to the freedom movement and decided the course of India's struggle for independence. Those who played a crucial role in such an epoch making event must be acknowledged through history texts, he added.

He also informed that several seminars and symposiums were organised at national and international level to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first war of independence, but there was no mention of the people from Bihar except a few which was actually a disturbing fact.

He further added that at a seminar in New Delhi he had mentioned it before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Kumar also inaugurated a book published by Khuda Bakhsh Library on the Revolt entitled ''1857-A Bibliography''. Director of Khuda Bakhsh Library and eminent historian Imtiaz Ahmed, noted historian professor R S Sharma and member secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research Dr P K Shukla also explored the precious cotributions of the people of Bihar in India's first war of independence.

UNI