Five unsung heroes of the Indian freedom struggle to remember on Independence Day

VEERAPANDIYA KATTABOMMAN: The Tamil chieftain was hanged by the British on 16 October, 1799, 58 years before the mutiny of 1857. Kattabomman was a Polygar — feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military governors — from Panchalankurichi near Thoothukudi. In 1798, while Kattabomman was paying taxes, he received a letter from collector Jackson asking him to pay the leftover amount. Jackson refused to meet him in person despite Kattabomman waiting for him. After three months, he met him at Ramalinga Vilasam, the palace of the king of Ramanathapuram. The meeting turned violent and Clarke, the deputy commandant of the company’s forces, was killed. The new collector of Tirunelveli wrote to Kattabomman calling him for a meeting in 1799. Kattabomman refused to meet the collector and a fight broke out. However, he was arrest and hanged. (Photo | EPS)

U TIROT SINGH: Armed with bows and arrows, the 18th century Khasi leader fought guerrilla battles against the Britishers until he was captured in 1833. The ranged weapons used by the Britishers made it impossible for his tribal army to take them head-on in pitched battles, forcing him to change the style in which his men the 'Anglo-Khasi war'. Tirot was captured by the British in January 1833 after his hideout was disclosed to the enemy by his own men. Soon, he was deported to modern-day Bangladesh. He died at the age of 33 in Dhaka and his death anniversary is observed as Tirot Singh Day in Meghalaya, which is also an official holiday in the hill state. (Photo | Twitter@szarita)

ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU: Though a non-tribal, Alluri Sitharama Raju had played a pivotal role in the 'Rampa rebellion' of 1922 across the agency areas of north-coastal Andhra Pradesh and Godavari districts. He was called 'Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungles) by the local people, as he inspired tribals to fight against the oppressive colonial masters whose laws restricted their free movement in the forests. Under his leadership, rebels freed prisoners, killed British personnel and raided police stations until he was eventually trapped by the in the forests of Chintapalle. He was tied and executed by a firing squad 7 May, 1924. (Photo | Facebook)

TIRUPUR KUMARAN: Post martyrdom, the Tamil nationalist came to be known as 'Kodi Kaatha Kumaran' (Kumar who saved the flag) as he held on to a tricolor as he fell unconscious following brutal beating by the police. A native of Tirupur near Coimbatore, Kumaran had organised a peaceful march on 11 January, 1932, as a part of the freedom movement. The tricolor flag used by the freedom fighters were banned by the colonial government, but Kumaran was at the forefront holding one. He was asked to put the standard down by the officials, which he refused, and was assaulted along with other protesters. Kumaran later succumbed to his injuries. (Photo | Twitter@beinggopi)