The Maratha inscriptions
describe Bastar as a zamindari or suba or a province of Chhattisgarh, which was
ruled by the Bhoslas. The kings of Bastar never accepted the supremacy of the
Marathas. Bastar state remained as it is till 1777 AD but due to the plundering
attitude of the Marathas and their comrades later shrank/became smaller, still
in front of the Marathas till 1818 AD. did not bow down and bowed down, when
there was an agreement between the Marathas and the British.
The presence of
Marathas and British officials in Paralkot of Bastar region had threatened the
identity of the tribals, and they began to feel threatened by foreign
civilization. Exploitation was being done by Marathas and British contractors,
due to which the tribals were angry. The Paralkot rebellion was started with
the aim of driving out the foreign power.
Paralkot Zamindari
was one of the oldest Zamindari situated in the North West of Bastar State.
Paralkot is situated at the confluence of three rivers Kotri, Nivara and Gudra,
crossing the Kotri river and the village Sitaram is located. Where even today
there are ruins of the palace of Ballsingh. The tall trees of Sal, Sarai,
Mahua, Mango, Peepal, and bamboo bushes provide protection around the village.
Gendsingh was the
Zamindar of Parlkot Pargana of Bastar region. But this Zamindar was never
appointed by the Raja of Bastar. Gendsingh always used to go to Paralkot from
his village. The pride of the oldest Bastar. On special invitation in Bastar
Dussehra, Gendsingh used to attend Bastar Dussehra from his village via Sonpur
route. Were. He used to confuse his pargana area on his horse and people used
to witness their happiness and sorrows from him. Gendsingh was called Naik in
the public mind and he was called as Bau. The effect of his personality was
not only in humans, but the creatures of the forest area also believed him.
Gendsingh was a
brave man of organization ability. They failed in this rebellion because
conventional weapons could not be fought in front of guns. GendSingh's
sacrifice is an unforgettable example for the liberation of Bastar. In short,
the Paralkot rebellion took place with the aim of destroying the foreign power
of the Abujhmadis here. Seeing the intensity of the rebellion, Agnew in January
1825 directed the Chanda Superintendent of Police, Captain Pew, to suppress the
rebellion immediately. As a result, the combined army of Marathas and British
besieged Paralkot on 10 January 1825. Gendsingh was arrested, and his
associates were prosecuted by the British. And on 20 January 1825, he was
hanged in front of the palace of Paralkot. Since 1825 this rebellion against
the British power was short, but it has become synonymous with the indomitable
courage of the tribals of Bastar.
(Source : Tribal
Research and Training Institute, New Raipur)