Bika Naik
| Bika Naik | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 April 1893 Chandrabil village, Talcher State, British India |
| 💀Died | 21 September 1938 Talcher State, British India21 September 1938 |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Participation in the Praja Mandal movement in Talcher |
Bika Naik (15 April 1893 – 21 September 1938) was an activist associated with the Praja Mandal movement in the princely state of Talcher in present-day Odisha, India. He is recorded in the Government of India's reference work Dictionary of Martyrs: India's Freedom Struggle (1857–1947) as a participant in the anti-princely state agitation in Talcher who died during the movement in 1938.[1]
Early life
Bika Naik was born on 15 April 1893 in Chandrabil village in the region that now forms part of Angul district in Odisha. At the time, the area belonged to the princely state of Talcher, which functioned under indirect rule during the period of British colonial administration in India. Most residents of the area were engaged in agriculture and were subject to local administrative systems of taxation and labor obligations within the princely state structure.[2]
Praja Mandal movement
During the 1930s, several princely states in eastern India experienced political mobilisation through organisations known as Praja Mandals, which sought political reforms, civil rights, and an end to forced labor practices in princely administrations. The movement in Talcher formed part of the wider Praja Mandal movement that developed across princely states in British India.
Naik became associated with the local agitation in Talcher, where activists organised meetings and protests demanding reforms in governance and greater rights for subjects of the princely state.[2]
Death
According to historical accounts, on 21 September 1938 an incident occurred near the Singida river close to Chandrabil village. Soldiers of the Talcher ruler reportedly attempted to compel villagers to assist them in moving a vehicle that had become stuck near the river. As part of the non-cooperation stance adopted by Praja Mandal activists, Bika Naik refused to comply. He was subsequently shot by soldiers and died from the injuries. His death became associated with the Talcher Praja Mandal agitation of 1938.[1]
Legacy
Bika Naik is mentioned in historical documentation of the Praja Mandal movements in Odisha and is listed in the Government of India’s Dictionary of Martyrs: India's Freedom Struggle (1857–1947)'’. His role in the Talcher agitation has been discussed in regional historical works and biographies related to the Praja Mandal movement.[3][4]
Further reading
- Behera, Kulamani. Shaheed Bika. (Odia)
- Mali, Dinesh Kumar. Unsung Hero of Talcher: Bika Naik. (Hindi)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dictionary of Martyrs: India's Freedom Struggle (1857–1947). 4. New Delhi: Ministry of Culture, Government of India / Indian Council of Historical Research. 2016. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mali, Dinesh Kumar (22 September 2023). "Unsung hero of Prajamandal: Bika of Talcher". The Pioneer. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ↑ Behera, Kulamani (2010). Shaheed Bika. Bhubaneswar: Odia Sahitya Academy. Search this book on
- ↑ Mali, Dinesh Kumar (2022). Unsung Hero of Talcher: Bika Naik. Ink Publication. ISBN 978-9390554123 Check
|isbn=value: checksum (help). Search this book on
Category:1893 births Category:1938 deaths Category:Indian independence activists from Odisha Category:People from Angul district Category:Praja Mandal movement
