Chakhi Khuntia

Chandan Hajuri (20 January 1827 – 1870) popularly known as 'Chakhi Khuntia' was a Jagannath Temple priest and a poet who participated in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.[1]

Chakhi Khuntia
Chandan Hajuri
Born(1827-01-20)20 January 1827
Puri
Died1870 (aged 42–43)
Puri
NationalityIndian

Life

Chandan Hajuri was born on the auspicious day of Samba Dashami in the year 1827 which fell on 7 January 1827 in Puri of Odisha to father Raghunath Khuntia alias Bhimasen Hajuri and mother Kamalabati. He was married to Sundarmani at the Age of 12. At a young age, he was taught Odia, Sanskrit and Hindi literature to help him perform his duties in the Jagannath temple. He also learned traditional wrestling at Akharas and later, taught Wrestling and military exercises to the youths in Puri.[2]

1857 Rebellion

Chakhi Khuntia happened to be the family priest of Manubai, later renamed Lakshmibai after her marriage to Gangadhar Rao, the King of Jhansi. He played a crucial role in mobilizing the sepoys and organizing mutiny while traveling across the country as a Panda of the Jagannath Temple before the Indian Rebellion of 1857. At the time of the mutiny, he was stationed at a Northern Military Station. He was known to have maintained a direct contact with the rebel leadership during the Mutiny. Later, he was arrested in Gaya and his properties were confiscated by the East Indian Company Government.[3][4] In 1858, Hajuri was released from prison after being offered amnesty under the Queen's proclamation of 1858 along with other Rebels.[5]

Later life

Khuntia spent the remainder of his life at Puri by devoting himself to spiritual and literary pursuits. He composed several popular Poems and Songs dedicated to Jagannath. He also composed a palm life manuscript titled Manubai in memory of Lakshmibai. He died in 1870 at Puri.[6]

References
  1. "Chakhi Khuntia : A National Hero During the British Period" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. "BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF CHAKHI KHUNTIA (CHANDAN HAJURI)" (PDF). I&PR,Govt. of Odisha. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  3. "Orissa During the Great Revolt of 1857" (PDF). I&PR,Govt. of Odisha. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  4. "Martyrs remembered". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  5. "Chakhi Khuntia : A National Hero During the British Period" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. Indian Culture and Education. Deep & Deep Publications pvt. Ltd. 2009. pp. 124–129. ISBN 978-81-8450-150-6.
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