Hyderabad: India attained freedom on August 15, 1947, after facing British oppression for almost 200 years. Lakhs of people sacrificed their lives to free the country. Today, we celebrate our independence only because of the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the country.
During the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi made truth and non-violence his infallible weapons, forcing even the most powerful British Empire to bow down.
Buxar played an immensely significant role in Gandhi's Satyagraha movement. The Mahatma, known for non-violence, laid the foundation of the freedom movement in Shahabad. It can safely be said that Gandhi's Buxar chapter eventually led to his transformation into the Mahatma.
Gandhi visited Buxar five times and his simple thoughts still inspire people there. Bapu came here on August 11, 1921, in connection with the Non-Cooperation Movement and then on April 25, 1934 during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Bapu had also visited Buxar earlier in 1914, 1917, and 1919.
The Father of the Nation first made his visit to Buxar's Srichand Temple where he met the local agitators. Thereafter, he addressed public meetings in the historic Fort Ground and Banbigha Ground.
However, the famous Srichand temple is now in a state of ruins, where leaders like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Anugraha Narayan Singh, once used to stay.
Right from the Champaran movement of 1917 to the Quit India Movement of 1942, whenever Gandhi visited Buxar, even women were seen brimming with enthusiasm and zeal. The impact of Gandhi and his thoughts were such that women, eager for freedom, took off their jewellery and put them in Gandhi's bag.
Impressed by the actions of a local leader Rama Shankar Tiwari, Mahatma Gandhi reached Koransarai, 30 km from the district headquarters, during his last visit. He had a meeting with the local agitating leaders there.
The impact of Gandhi's last visit was such that as soon as he returned, local agitators murdered two British officers, which added fuel to the freedom movement.
Though numerous decades have passed, the sons of martyred freedom fighters still feel proud even today.
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