Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo
Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo (25 June 1929 – 25 March 1966) was the last ruling king of Bastar, belonging to the Kakatiya dynasty, and a prominent tribal leader who actively fought for the rights of indigenous people in India. He is remembered for his deep connection with the tribal communities of Bastar and his efforts to protect their land, culture, and natural resources.
Early Life and Background
Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo was born on 25 June 1929 in Shillong. After the early death of his parents, he was crowned as the king of Bastar at the age of six by the British administration. The British authorities oversaw his upbringing and administration until he came of age. Despite his royal status, Pravir Chandra developed a strong bond with the tribal people and their traditions.
Bastar and the Kakatiya Legacy
Bastar was historically one of the largest districts in India and remains one of the largest administrative divisions today, comprising four districts: Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, and Kondagaon. The region is primarily inhabited by tribal communities who speak Gondi and its dialect Halbi. The Kakatiya dynasty, to which Pravir Chandra belonged, has deep roots linked to the Solanki (Chalukya) Rajputs, and the tribal culture of Bastar reflects a close, almost mythic, relationship with the goddess Danteshwari, a revered deity among the indigenous people.
Political Career and Tribal Leadership
After India gained independence, Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo signed the instrument of accession to integrate Bastar into the Indian Union on 1 January 1948. As a progressive leader, he sought to politically empower the tribal population, opposing exploitative practices and government policies detrimental to them.
In 1957, Pravir Chandra was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Jagdalpur with a significant majority. Over the next few years, he emerged as the foremost tribal leader in the then undivided Madhya Pradesh. However, growing differences with the government over tribal issues, especially related to land rights and exploitation, led him to resign from the Assembly in 1959.
Fight Against Exploitation
One of the most notable struggles led by Maharaja Pravir Chandra was against the "Malik-Makbuza" corruption scandal, which involved illegal transfer of tribal lands to non-tribal outsiders. Despite laws protecting tribal land, loopholes allowed exploitation, resulting in loss of tribal forests and lands. Pravir Chandra vocally opposed these corrupt practices and amendments to tribal land laws, which earned him hostility from powerful vested interests.
His active stance triggered widespread tribal protests but also harsh government crackdowns. In February 1961, he was briefly detained for his activism. The conflict between tribal aspirations and government policies intensified under his leadership.
Martyrdom and Legacy
On 25 March 1966, during a protest at the Bastar palace, police opened fire on a large gathering of tribal people who had assembled to present their grievances. Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo was shot multiple times and died on the palace steps, becoming a martyr for tribal rights and justice.
His death created deep mistrust of the government among tribal populations and marked a turning point in Bastar's history. Even today, his legacy inspires movements for tribal autonomy, land rights, and social justice.
Cultural Impact
Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo remains immensely popular among the tribal communities of Bastar. His image is widely venerated and can be found in tribal homes across the region. The famous Bastar Dussehra festival, one of the longest-lasting festivals in the world, witnesses a significant demand for his photographs as part of the celebrations.
Through his life and sacrifice, Pravir Chandra sought to create an alternate narrative of tribal empowerment grounded in education, employment, and respect for indigenous identity. His efforts laid the foundation for future political mobilization of tribals in Bastar and beyond.