The Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI) in Naya Raipur is set to establish the first museum in the state to honor the memory of tribal freedom fighters. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Museum will showcase the story of the brave tribals and their struggle for freedom through 15 galleries featuring artwork, 3D models, and sculptures.
Building the Museum: Small Models Installed
With a cost of 25.66 crores, the museum is being built on a 9.75-acre area and will have only one floor. The building is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Small models of the sculptures have already been installed on the campus, and plans are underway to construct them on a larger scale for display in the museum.
The Paralkot Rebellion: Fighting Against British and Marathas
One of the significant events that will be highlighted in the museum is the Paralkot Rebellion of 1825. The Abujhmaris, under the leadership of Zamindar Gend Singh, rose in rebellion against the exploitation of the British and the Marathas. Gathering at Paralkot on January 4, 1825, the Abujhmaris attacked the British and Marathas with traditional weapons, but their efforts failed. Gend Singh was eventually captured and hanged on January 20, 1825.
The Lingagiri Rebellion: Bastar’s Liberation War Against British Rule
Another notable event to be featured in the museum is the Lingagiri Rebellion of 1856. The armed rebellion was led by Dhurva Rao, the talukdar of Lingagiri taluka, as part of the liberation war of Bastar against British rule. On March 3, 1856, there was a war between Dhurva and the British, in which Dhurva was caught and hanged on March 5.
