Batak Mian
Batak Mian, was a cook who saved the life of Mahatma Gandhi from a murder attempt by food poisoning[1] in 1917. He was an employee of an indigo plant at Motihari, Bihar. Afterwards, he was ousted from his job, tortured, and compelled to leave the village.
Incident
[edit]Mahatma Gandhi was invited to dinner by the manager of an indigo plant, Erwin. Erwin insisted to his cook, Batak Mian, to add poison to a glass of milk, and to serve to Gandhi.[2] He went to serve, but revealed the plot to Rajendra Prasad.[3][4] After escaping from the attempt, Mahatma Gandhi continued his protest at Champaran. The estate manager tortured Batak Mian, lost his house and properties, and was driven out of his village.[5]
After Independence of India
[edit]Rajendra Prasad visited Motihari in 1950, as President of India.[1][citation needed] A crowd formed around him and he recognized Batak Mian from the crowd, and described to the public how the incident happened in 1917.[citation needed][1] He ordered to grant Batak Mian 24 acres of land as an appreciation from the nation. He died in 1957.[citation needed][1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d B Vijay Murty (22 January 2010). "Family of Mahatma's saviour in dire straits". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Their grandfather saved Gandhi's life". NDTV. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Mehta, Arun. J (20 December 2014). Lessons in Non-violent Civil Disobedience. p. 87.
- ^ "Batak Mian: Forgotten patriot who saved Bapu's life in 1917". DDNews. Doordarsan. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ SANCHARI PAL (30 January 2018). "The Forgotten Cook Who Paid Heavily For Refusing To Poison Mahatma Gandhi". The better India. Retrieved 6 June 2020.