In pre-independence Odisha there were twentysix Gadjats (Feudatory States) which were ruled by Rajas (kings) of the respective States, paying prescribed amount of tributes to the British Government. Political Agents were appointed by the Colonial Government to supervise the administration of these agencies. The Rajas started exploiting poor peasants by imposing, excessive taxes on them for different purposes. To get rid of their tyrannical rule the people of the Gadjats started a movement in Odisha known as 'Prajamandal Movement'.
This movement was organized is several Gadjat states including Dhenkanal which took a dreadful turn is 1938.
On the night of 10th October 1938 police force marched through Nilakanthapur, a village on the bank of river Brahmani, to cross the river. Baji Rout, a young boy of 12 years refused to ferry them without the permission of Prajamandal leaders.
As a result he along with five associates were killed there in police firing. Baji Rout, is now considered as the youngest martyr of Indian freedom struggle.
Sachi Routray, the celebrated modern Odia poet immortalized Baji Rout, known for his heroic resistance and profound sacrifice, in his classic poem 'Baji Rouť'.
Odisha Sahitya Akademi Publishes translation of Odia literature into English and other Indian languages. I am grateful to Dr. Sangram Jena, an eminent poet and translator for editing the multilingual versions of Baji Rout titled 'Baji Rout: Multilingual Versions of an Indian Classic'. I am also thankful to Sangram Jena and Aurobindo Behera, Sankarlal Purohit, Ajit Patra, R. Balkrishnan and Ayaz Rasool Nazki for translating the poem into English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Urdu respectively. I hope the book will be appreciated by non-Odia readers is india and abroad.
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