Khejarii is a village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The name of the village is derived from Khejri (Prosopis Cineraria) trees, which were in abundance in the village. In this village 363 Bishnois had sacrifice their lives in 1730’ AD for protecting green trees.
Origin of Chipko Movement
It is the place where Chipko Movemeijt ubs originated in India. It was a black Tuesday in Khejarili. 10th day of the bright fortnight of the month Bhadra (Indian, lunar Calendar) In 1730 A.D. Arnrita Devi mother of three daughters namely. Asu, Ratni and Bhagu was at home with her daughters. Suddenly, She came to know that many people had descended in their otherwise sleepy village. It was a party of Maharaja Abhay Singh, Ruler of Marwar (Jodhpur) state who wanted to feel green Khejri (Prosopis Cineraria) trees to burn lime for the construction of his new place. Since there was a lot of greenery in the Bishnois villages even in the middle of Tharp Desert, the king ordered his men to get the woods of Khejri trees from Khejarili Village.
Amrita Devi sacrificed for saving trees
Anrita Devi protested against King’s men attempting to cut green trees as it was prohibited in Bishnoi religion. The malevolent feudal party told her that if she wanted the trees to be spared, she should give them money as bribe. She refused to acknowledge this demand and told them that she would consider it as an act of ignominy and insult to her religious faith. She said that she would rather give away her life to save the green trees. It is at that stage she spoke these words:
“Sar santey rookh rahe to bhi sasto jaan” (If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s head, it’s worth it)
Saying these words, she offered her head! The axes, which were brought to cut the trees, severed her head from her trunk. The three young girls Asu, Ratni and Bhagu were not daunted, and offered their heads too!!
Mass movement to protect trees
The news spread like wildfire,. Bishnoi’s gathered and sent summons to 83 near by Bishnoi village to come and decide onthe next course of action. Since the supreme sacrifice by those four had not satisfied the royan party, and the filling of green trees was continued. It was sacrifice his/her life. In the begining ,old people voluntarily started holding the trees to be cut in an embrace now known as Chipko movement of 20th Century in Uttar Pradesh.
363 Bishnois became martyrs
In this way many valiant old person gave away their lives, but it faild to have the desired impact. Moreover, the Hakim (Royal party’s leader) taunted the Bishnois that in this manner they were offering unwanted old persons. Soon, young men, women, including recently married ones and children were sacrificing themselves in a similar manner,
There was intense pandemonium. It completely shook the tree-felling
party, headed by their leader Girdhar Das Bhandari (Hakim), they left for jodhpur with their mission unfulfilled and told the Maharaja about what had happened. As soon as he learnt it, he ordered stoppage of the felling of trees.
By that time. Three Hundred and Sixty Three (363) Bishnois, young and old, men and women, married and unmarried, rich and poor had already become martyrs. Gotra wise number of these martyrs was as under: Achara (1), Badaderi (1), Badiyani (1), Chotiya (1), Degipal (1), Dudan (1), Geela (1), Goyal (1), Janwar (1), Javalia (1), Juriya (1), Kalirani (1), Khavi (1), Kichar (1), Kupasiya (1), Lamba (1), Maal (1), Rinwa (1), Seegar (1), Tadi (1), Vaasu (1), Adeena (2), Bhadiawas (2),
Bola (2), Jhangu (2), Manjhu (2), Punia (2), Thalod (2), Bhanwal (3), Chahar (3), Dhatarwal (3), Potalia (3), Rahad (3), Siyol (3), Badiya (4), Dhayal (4), Isram (4), Karhwasra (4), Bhangarwas (5), Dukia (5), Khava (6), Khileri (6), Lol (6), Nain (6), Sahu (6), Sinwar (6), Dhaka (8), Dara (9), Dudi (10), Kaswan (10), Khod (10), Khokhar (10), Panwar (10), Asiagh (13), Jani (15), Saran (18), Babal (22), Beniwal (25), Bhadu (26), Godara (37), Gotra not clear (22).
The tree felling banned
Honouring the courage of the Bishnois community, the uler of Jodhpur,
Maharaja Abhay Singh, apologised for the mistake committed by his
officials and issued a royal decree, engraved on a copper plate ordering
the following:
(A) All cutting of green trees and hunting of animals within the revenue boundaries of Bishnoi villages was strictly prohibited.
(B) It was also ordered that if by mistake any individual violated this order, he would be prosecuted by state and a severe penalty imposed.
(C) Even the members of ruling family did not shoot animals in or even near the Bishnoi’s village
Bishnoi’s Martyrdom Honoured
In October 1996, Nihal Chand Bishnoi had sacrificed his life for protecting wild animals. A film “Willing to Sacrifice” based on his story won the main award of the Enviornment film at the 5th International Festivals of Films, TV and Video Program ENVIRON’99 Bratislava Slovak Republic.
Bishnoi community has always paid a huge price for saving trees and animals for the good of man kind. Incident like these has revived the importance of trees and wild life and has inspired whole of the world and will continue to do so in future to fight and protect trees and wild life.
1 comment:
thank's lot
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