The Quit India Movement in Orissa
Explanation
Veer Lakhan Nayak was a prominent tribal leader from the Koraput district in Odisha. He is celebrated as a martyr who mobilized the indigenous population against British colonial rule during the final phase of the Indian independence struggle.Detailed Analysis:
- Quit India Movement (1942): Lakhan Nayak is best known for his active leadership during the Quit India Movement. Inspired by Gandhian ideology, he organized the tribals in the Malkangiri region of Koraput. On August 21, 1942, he led a large procession to the Mathili Police Station to hoist the Congress flag. The police opened fire on the demonstrators, and Nayak was injured and arrested. He was later tried and executed by the British in 1943.
- Incorrect Options:
- The Santhal Rebellion : This took place much earlier, in 1855–56, in the Rajmahal Hills (modern-day Jharkhand/Bengal) and was led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu.
- The Non-Cooperation Movement in Andhra : While tribal participation was significant in Andhra during the 1920s (e.g., the Rampa Rebellion), the key leader associated with that region and period was Alluri Sitarama Raju.
- The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal : This movement occurred between 1905 and 1911 in response to the Partition of Bengal and was led by figures such as Surendranath Banerjee and Aurobindo Ghosh.
Key Takeaway:
Veer Lakhan Nayak was a Gandhian tribal leader from Odisha who was martyred for his role in leading the Quit India Movement in the Koraput district.