Binjhal leader challenged British empire supporting Surendra Sai
The Untold Saga of Madho Singh
History often remembers the generals but forgets the warriors who held the front lines. In the annals of the Indian freedom struggle, Madho (Madhab) Singh Bariha stands as a colossal figure of tribal resistance in Western Odisha. Born in 1786 in Ghess, now part of the Bargarh district, Madho Singh was a Binjhal tribal zamindar who dared to challenge the might of the British East India Company.
Roots of Rebellion
Madho Singh oversaw an estate of twenty villages. His defiance was not merely political but deeply personal, rooted in the protection of his people. The British administration had imposed harsh revenue policies, increasing tax demands eight-fold from 8,800 to 74,000 rupees by 1854. They also revoked freehold lands, pushing tribal zamindars and Gauntias to the brink of ruin.
Madho Singh refused to bow down. He stopped collecting revenue in protest and allied himself with Veer Surendra Sai, supporting Sai's legitimate claim to the Sambalpur throne.
Master of Guerrilla Warfare
When the rebellion flared in 1857, Madho Singh turned the geography of the land into a weapon. Along with his sons - Hati Singh, Kunjal Singh, Airi Singh, and Bairi Singh - he was entrusted with defending the vital passes of Singhoda-Ghati and Nisha-Ghati. These routes were the lifelines connecting Sambalpur to Mumbai, Nagpur, and Raipur.
Using stones, mud, and tree branches, his forces blocked these passes, effectively cutting off British communication and supply lines.
Historical Note: The tribal forces utilized guerrilla tactics so effectively that even well-equipped British battalions struggled to advance. When Captain E.G. Wood attempted to reinforce British control in December 1857, Madho Singh’s forces inflicted heavy casualties, forcing Wood to flee with serious injuries.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
The British response was brutal. Unable to defeat him in open battle, they resorted to espionage and treachery. In February 1858, Captain Woodbridge was ambushed and killed by rebels at Paklikhole, his body hung from a tree as a warning10. Enraged, the British burned the village of Ghess, forcing the population into the forests.
Tragedy struck the Bariha family repeatedly. His son, Airi Singh, was betrayed by informers and burned alive in a hidden pit at Singhoda-Ghati. Madho Singh, aged and ill, eventually sought refuge at Matiabhata. Spies betrayed his location to Major Forster.
On December 31, 1858, the 72-year-old patriot was hanged without trial at Sambalpur Jail Chowk. His execution was intended to crush the rebellion, yet his legacy survived. Today, the Odisha Government honors his memory through the 'Sahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana', ensuring that the saga of this unsung patriot continues to inspire future generations.
With Inputs From: Prof. Chtrasen Pasayat
