Shaheed Kanaklata Barua

Kanaklata Barua, a freedom fighter and martyr from Assam, who sacrificed her life to free her motherland from the colonial rule, was born in born on December 22, 1924, at village Barangabari of Gohpur subdivision of undivided Darrang District, presently Sonitpur district of Assam to Krishna Kanta Barua and Korneswari Barua. She belonged to the Dolakharia Barua realm and was the granddaughter of Ghana Kanta Barua, a renowned hunter of the region. At a tender age of 5 years, she lost her mother and her father who was a farmer by profession remarried but the whole responsibility of her family was put on her young shoulders. However, when she was orphaned at the age of 13 years, when her father breathed his last and owing to the responsibilities of the family that was bestowed upon her after her father’s demise; she could not complete her school education.

The circumstances of life that she had to face made her responsible since her childhood and this nature of hers motivated her to dedicate her life to free her motherland from the atrocities that it faced in the hands of the British. She joined the freedom struggle at a very young age of 17. She was stirred by the various movements going on during the freedom struggle all over the country and she had a keen desire to join the Azad Hind Fauz and as she was too young, she could not fulfill her desire to join the Fauz but instead joined Mrityu Bahini, a bereavement force consisting of youths from the Gohpur subdivision of Assam where she was made the leader of the women wing of the organization.

Kanaklata Barua was indeed a great warrior and a great patriot of Assam. On 9th of August, 1942 a civil disobedience movement, named Quit India Movement was started in India by Mahatma Gandhi, which was a passive act and the freedom fighters were determined to “Do or Die” for the freedom and Independence of their motherland. The youth from all over the nation joined the movement and Kanaklata too joined it as she thought it to be an opportunity to do something for her motherland. Like other palaces of India, even in the Daranag district preparation for Quit India Movement was going on under the able leadership of Mukunda Kakaty, Jiten Borah, Jonaram Bhyuan, Lakhi Kanta Bora and Karneswar Hazarika, who motivated the people of the region to participate in the movement. 

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, a nationalist from Assam, under whose leadership, a pledge was taken to hoist the national flag at the police station and court of Gophur district as these were considered as the representation of the British Government. As a volunteer, she got her name registered with the organization for hoisting the National Flag. Many young and old people of the region joined for the cause. It was on 20th September 1942, they decided to hoist the national flag at the local police station and this day is marked as the red letter day in the history of freedom movement of India. Like any other normal day, Kanaklata completed her household chores and sat down to have a meal with her younger brothers and sisters. While having the meal, in somber told her siblings that she might not be able to come back ever as she is going to join the procession for hoisting the national flag at the Gohpur Police station and at Barangabari Chariali, she joined the group.

The members of Mrityu Bahini ensued towards the police station under the leadership of Kanaklata, who held the national flag as the leader of the group and led the convoy. Despite they were warned by the police not to continue further as they will face severe consequences, they did not stop. The police started firing on the crowd and a bullet hit her and she soon succumbed to the injuries but until her lat breathe, she did not let the flag fall from her hand, which she handed over to one of her comrade Mukunda Kakaty.

Kanaklata Barua sacrificed her life for the freedom and honor of her motherland at a young age of 17. Her sacrifice made her a martyr and an immortal soul in the hearts of every Assamese.  In the year 2011, a life-size sculpture of her has been made in the Gohpur District of Assam.