In our last topic, we mentioned the valor of Kittur Rani Chennamma and in this topic, we will cover about her main Sainik, Sangolli Rayanna.
Sangolli Rayanna was an Indian warrior who fought with Rani Chennamma on her battle against the British. He fought against the British East India Company until his death.
Sangolli Rayanna Information
- Name: Sangolli Rayanna
- Born: 15 August 1798, Sangolli
- Died: 26 January 1831, Belagavi
- Parents: Dodda Baramappa Balappa Rogannavar
- Buried: 26th January 1831
- Burial place: Nandagad,TQ: Khanapur (Beedi) Dist:Belagavi (Dharawad)
Sangolli Rayanna Active Participation
Sangolli Rayanna was an active participant in the 1824 rebellion against the British East India Company and was arrested and released by the British. However, He continued his fight against the British and wanted to Install the adopted son of King Mallasarja and Rani Chennamma, namely Shivalingappa as the ruler of Kittur. He along with residents of Kittur formed Guerilla warfare. Rayanna along with his army, they moved from place to place where they burnt government offices, fought against British troops, and plundered treasures.
The British troops could not defeat Rayanna in open battle hence they caught him by treachery in April 1830 and was sentenced to death by hanging.
He Was Hanged
Rayanna was executed by hanging from a Banyan Tree which is located at Nandagad in Belagavi district on 26 January 1831. Legend says that a close associate of Rayanna planted a sapling on his grave which is now a fully-grown tree. An Ashoka Stambha was installed near the grave and a small temple in the name of Rayanna was constructed in Sangolli village.
The day Rayanna was hanged was the black day for the people of Karnataka, an incident happened sooner that make us cry. What was it? After 10 minutes of his death, the regional collector received a letter from the British East India Company head office that stated
“if you capture Sangoli Rayanna don’t hang him at any cost, he is a great patriotic person if we hang people never forgive us”.
But 10 minutes made the country lost a great patriotic person, if he was alive we don’t know what else was happened in the freedom movement.
Coincidently, a great thing happened in the country Sangolli Rayanna was born on August 15th we got Independence and the day he was hanged was January 26th where we celebrate as the Republic Day of India. The people have cheated him but God has not.
In His Memory
Due to the valor of Sangolli Rayanna, he has been mentioned in many ballads of verses in North Karnataka. A life-size bronze statue of Sangolli Rayanna is instilled near to the railway station in Bangalore. The main railway station of Bengaluru City has been renamed “Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway station”.
In 2012, a film was produced in Kannada Motion Picture dialogue which was named “Kraanthiveera Sangolli Rayanna” starring Darshan, and Jayaprada in lead roles.
[ Also Checkout: Freedom Fighter in Karnataka ]
