Digambar Biswas

The revolt

Digambar Biswas resigned from his civil service post and started organizing the rebel farmers against the indigo farmers. The rebels did not know how to use weapons, so, he spent his money to bring batons from Barisal and teach the indigo farmers how to use spears and batons, and formed a resistance force. Under his leadership, the indigo rebellion took place across a vast area of Nadia and Jessore districts. Both Digambar and Bishnu Charan spent 17 thousand Mohur during that period to help the farmers and lost everything. It is proven that they considered the interests of the poor farmers as their own interests. In the words of historian Satish Mitra, "The Biswas had some cohesion, but they spent everything they had on this movement. The indigo farmers were furious to break the alliance of the peasants. The Biswas brought sticks from Barisal and beat the countrymen with sticks...". In the history of the peasant revolt in India, Digambar Biswas, is remembered as the main leader of the Indigo Rebellion, and as a visionary.

Aftermath

Despite the rebellion gaining huge fame and popularity, there were several harsh consequences endured by the leaders and their families. Digambar Biswas's own village, Poragachha, was attacked multiple times, but he was able to acquire a substantial number of lathiyals to protect it. To enlist more peasants to his cause he paid their debts to the planters, spending enormous sum of 17,000 rupees. Digambar received patronage and protection from a Zamindar of Ranaghat, Srigopal Pal Chowdhury. He continued to lead the peasants in presenting petitions and organizing resistance. Eventually, his funds were exhausted and he died a poor man.

Family tree

Sources:

Ghanashyam Biswas

• • Moniram Biswas
    • Bhriguram Biswas
      • Ramhari Biswas
        • Kalchandra Biswas
          • Sarbananda Biswas
            • Motilal, m. Kunjabala Debi
              • Hemchandra
              • Kamakshya
              • Basanta Kumar Biswas
              • Durga
            • Hiralal
            • Pratap Chandra
              • Ashutosh
              • Khagendranath
              • Nripendranath
          • Digambar Biswas
            • Nilkantha
            • Rudrakantha
            • Mokshada
            • Surodhoni, m. Prankrishna Sarkar
          • Ramgopal Biswas
            • Jadunath, m. Pranmoyi Debi
              • Satyaranjan
              • Jitendra
              • Manmathanath Biswas
            • Bidhu Bhusan
            • Dinanath