Bhagwan Das Balendu

A nationalist, poet and the patriot of Hamirpur, Bhagwan Das Balendu was born in Kulpahad Samvat 1964. His father's name was Braj Gopal Arjariya who build a Vishnu temple in Rikhwaha in which three villages had donated their land.

His had done his basic education in local school and also studied Hindi, Urdu and English by self. He also qualified the Sahitya Sammelan Prayag examination. He married in Banaras to Kesari Devi,who later become a good lady patriot of Hamirpur district. His younger sister Bhuwneswari Devi with her husband Nathuram Tiwari also took part in freedom movement bravely.

Balendu was an inherent poet. His poetic works attracted the notice of Pt Shiv Ram Sharma and poet Chaturbhuj Parashar(Chaturesh).They gave him title 'Balendu' Thus he became Bhagwan Das Balendu.
He inspired with Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi and started to write poems related to the national agitations.People inspired by his writings. Mahatma Gandhi was praised his poems too and selected one of his poems as a national collection.

All India literature and culture department rewarded him a title'Martand'. His contribution to India as a freedom fighter is also notable. He directed Hamirpur's cooperative movement in 1930 and was sent to jail with wife. Being absconded Bhagwan Das Balendu distributed the idea of independence in each and every village of Hamirpur. Balendu and Deewan Shatrughan Singh were fast friends.

British polish used many tricks to arrest him. They also announced rs.500 for those who will provide information about Bhagwan Das Balendu. But all the efforts of the British polish was failed.They couldn't arrest him.The continued publication of his writings and poems in 'Bundelkhand kesari' and 'Satyagrahi' made current District Magistrate Mr.Gordon in perplexity. He faced the confiscation of his property by the order of Mr.Gordon. This news spread in Kulpahar, Thathewara.Etaura,Akauna and Rikhwaha but this policy of repression could not make any effect over Balendu.

He was arrested in 1930, 1933, 1940 and also in Quick India Movement.of 1942 .He passed his six years in jail at Hamirpur, Naini, Fatehpur and Fatehgarh. Bhagwan Das Balendu went to the famous Lahore kongress Adhivesion with Sri Pati Sahay Rawat tooas a representive.

Source: Book 'Samar Gatha' by Bhawani Deen Basant Publication Mahoba 1995.

Categories: Freedom Fighters