In Karnataka, Bagalkot saw the first large-scale struggle for independence. In 1857, the British government ordered that common people should hand over their weapons. This was strongly opposed by the Halakali Veduvars. They need weapons to hunt. Apart from that they were very much involved in the freedom struggle. Ramappa, Hanumavva, Lakumavva, Jadagappa, Balappa, Ramavva were in the forefront of the struggle.
Nimbalkar, a Maratha soldier led them and also participated in the struggle. Annoyed by their initial struggle, the British sent influential leaders of Bagalkot, Krishna Nayak, Krishna Rao, Ramaraya Bhujanga, Veeduvar leader Veera Hanuma Nayaka, to negotiate peace. But Halakali waders, let what comes come; They said that they will not stop the struggle and they will not hand over their weapons. In order to subdue the Vaders, Sesanagar gathered an army from Kalataki and attacked Halakali; failed. Then Levatta, Carr William Henry and Havelock also attacked and grabbed the ground. Malkar, the commander of Dakshina’s Maratha division, attacked on 29 November 1857 with a large force. Then Halakala became Kurushetra. There was a setback for the British soldiers, but as some black goats defused the explosives that the Halagali militants had collected, their struggle started to weaken. Then the British went on a rampage. They cut down those who were caught in the eye. Houses were looted. They set fire to the town. Children’s heads were cut off. They raped the women. Malcolm, who thwarted Jatagappa and Balappa’s struggle by conspiracy, arrested 290 militants and brought them to Kalataki. 19 people were charged. Thirteen people, including the masterminds of the struggle, Jadagappa and Balappa, were shot dead on December 11, 1857, on a crowded road in Mudola. The others were executed three days later in Halakali. Near Mudola Bus Stand, a memorial hall has been constructed in the name of Jataganna and Balanna to commemorate the Halakali protest.
– Our Special Correspondent –
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