When is Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti?
Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti is a regional public holiday in the Indian state of Bihar observed on April 23rd each year.
This holiday honours Babu Veer Kunwar Singh was a notable leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
History of Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti
Although Indian holidays seem to be dominated by religious festivals, if you look amongst the state holidays you'll see a record of Indian bravery in the face of European colonialism.
A good example is this holiday which honours Kunwar Singh, a leading figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
In the middle of the 19th century, discontent with the rule of the British East India Company boiled over in May 1857 with a mutiny of soldiers of the Company's army in the garrison town of Meerut, northeast of Delhi. This sparked other mutinies and rebellions in central India.
Into the fray stepped the 80-year old Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, who led his select of armed soldiers in a yearlong campaign against the British.
Eventually, the superior manpower and firepower of the British pushed Kunwar Singh back to his home of Jagdispur, Kunwar Singh was wounded in the arm while crossing the Ganges. It is said that the old warrior cut off his injured limb and offered it to the river.
Despite his injury, which would prove fatal, he fought his last battle near Jagdishpur on April 23rd 1858 in which the troops under the control of the East India Company were completely routed.
After the battle, Kunwar Singh returned to his palace in Jagdishpur and died from his injuries on April 26th 1857.
Although the Indian Rebellion proved unsuccessful, the courage of Kunwar Singh is remembered each year of the anniversary of his final great victory.
