A tribute to Sangolli Rayanna

I am sure most of you staying in Bangalore have seen a statue covered with a colorful plastic sheet in Khoday circle. Ever wondered whose statue it is? Yes, it of Sangolli Rayanna. Before I proceed further let me give you a brief history of Sangolli Rayanna.

Sangolli Rayanna born on 15-Aug-1798 was a prominent freedom fighter from Karnataka. He fought the British till his death. Rayanna was born in the small village of Sangolli, he belonged to the Kuruba Gowda / Dhangar caste and a warrior in his time. He was the army chief of the Kingdom of Kittur ruled at the time by Rani Chennamma.

When the British wanted to secede the kingdom to their empire by putting forward the doctrine of lapse as Rani Chennamma’s son was adopted, the queen refused to secede her kingdom after her husband’s death. She was aided by Rayanna and fought British bravely but was defeated and imprisoned.

Sangolli Rayanna continued to fight the British. His land was confiscated, and of what remained of it was heavily taxed. He taxed the landlords and built up an army from the masses. He used guerrilla tactics to attack government property; burnt land records and extracted huge sums of money from notorious landlords and bureaucrats. Rayanna is considered by many historians as the pioneer of guerrilla warfare in India. He continued this warfare till 1829.

The landlords along with the British forced his father in law Laxman to cheat Sangolli Rayanna. When Rayanna was having a bath, the British army attacked. By that time Rayanna's sword was in Laxman's hand. When Rayanna asked him to give the sword, Laxman gave it to British army and they arrested Rayanna. Finally, he was captured by treachery and hanged in Nandagad in Belgaum district. His last wish was to be born again to fight against British & drive they away from our sacred soil.

Today, Sangolli Rayanna is fighting to get rid of this plastic sheet wrapped completely from top to bottom since more than a year at Khoday Circle. I guess he is still fighting these bureaucrats who cut the ribbon & garland the his statue.

Captured on Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008 in one of the leading News paper
Addressing press persons, the former minister and adviser to Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Pratishthana H.M. Revanna said that the journey of installing statues of Sangolli Rayanna would begin at Kolhapur. The statue would be taken to Nippani, Belgaum, Kittur, Dharwad, Hubli, Haveri, Ranebennur, Harihar, Davangere, Chitradurga, Hiriyur, Shira, Tumkur and Nelamangala before reaching Bangalore.

This statue which would cost Rs. 70 lakh, will be installed at Khoday Circle near Bangalore Railway Station at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore. It will be taken to the venue in a colourful procession. Mr. Revanna said that the statue was being installed to commemorate Sangolli Rayanna’s sacrifice. The statue will be unveiled in August (which year?)

Bureaucrats!!! What are you waiting for? Release the plastic sheet & let every Kannadiga see their hero & pay respect to the great Sangolli Rayanna.

Jai Hind Jai Karnataka...