Banamali Das (The Man and His Mission)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Completed the post graduation in History from Utkal University, Vanivihar, Bhubaneswar, in 1991, Dr. Surendra Kumar Biswal obtained M.Phil from Revenshaw College, Cuttack and awarded Ph.D from Fakir Mohan University in 2007 and D.litt from Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore in 2018. At present he has been working as Head of the Department of History in Srinibas Degree College Mangalpur, Balasore. To his credit, he is the author of "Integration of princely state of Odisha - A case study of Nilgiri" and "Gandiji in Odisha". He has also co-edited "Orissan Renaissance and Role of Balasore" and contributed several research paper to the International, National and State Journals. These apart he has a close link with social and educational forums and he is the member of Indian History Congress and Odisha History Congress.

The present book of Dr. Surendra Kumar Biswal deals with "Banamali Das: The Man and his Mission". Banamali Das was an illustrious man in the Nilgir Princely state, who blossomed out the dust and rose into the penacle of glory by dint of his sheer benevolence, ceaseless efforts and relentless works. He was a great freedom fighter, revolutionary and an astute communist leader. As an ardent believer of communist ideology, he was the champion of poor and down trodden throughout his life. As a leader of the prajamandal Movement in Nilgir, he was the chief instrumental in galvanizing the illiterate and half fed masses into own action against the tyrannical role of the Rajas, protected by the mighty British. As a result of which by his valiant efforts, Nilgir had the distinction of being the princely state to be merged into Indian Union in 1947. He also played an active role in post Independence electoral politics and exercised tremendous influence over the people of his areas. This was proved when he was thrice elected to Nilgir Constituency in 1967, 1971 and in 1974.

The book "Banamali Das: The Man and his Mission" is an important edition to the existing Odishan historiography. It deals with the important personality of Banamali Das hailing from Nilgiri princely state of Odisha. As a leader of the Prajamandal movement in Nilgiri state, he successfully fought against the royal tyranny which ultimately led to the integration of Nilgiri into Indian Union. This paved a way to the other princely states into Indian Union. He was wedded to the ideology of Communism and dedicated his entire life for the cause of workers, peasants, poor and down-trodden. He also played a vital role during Quit-India movement in Odisha. He also participated in electoral politics and elected thrice from Nilgiri constituency in 1967, 1971 and in 1974. A great orator, prolific writer and voracious reader, he participated actively in legislative Assembly deliberations during his tenure. He remained in politics till 1985. After his retirement from active politics, he was influenced by Padmashree Manoj Das, the famous writer of Odisha and joined the "Aurobinda Pathachakra" of Nilgiri in 1992. Under the influence of the ideology of Aurobinda he founded the "Sri Aurobinda Sikshya Kendra". He was a reputed writer and his writings were the flora and fauna of the deep loyality to his motherland and the voice of the proletarian creed.