The Robin Hood of Chambal

 

 

When was the last time you heard of a dacoit who was revered? The terror of Chambal ravines in the 40s, Man Singh’s atrocities were only directed at the rich and the powerful. Today, the much-feared brigand has even a temple in his name at his native village Rathor in Agra district, where thousands regularly pay their respects to the messiah of the poor. Jarnail Singh, his grandson, recounts the legend...

“Man Singh needn’t have become a dacoit. He was a wealthy zamindar, the owner of hundreds of acres of land. Money and luxury weren’t in short supply in the family. But he was compelled to turn into one to protect the honour of our family. A devious Brahmin family illegally took control of our lands. The police, which was in connivance with the wrong-doers, brutally beat and tortured our family, murdered Man Singh’s brother and cousin and threw Dadda (Man Singh) into jail. There was no alternative left but to rebel.

He was a dacoit alright, but he never compromised on his principles and morals. Never was an innocent harmed by him; he came to the aid of the downtrodden and punished the guilty. That’s why the people of Chambal still revere him as their saviour. Whenever there was a family in the village who would have trouble marrying their daughter because of exorbitant dowry demands by the groom’s group, Man Singh was there to help. He would send a letter to the groom’s family saying that the girl was his own daughter. The family would get the message and the girl would be married off with no hassles. In the eyes of the law, it could be coercion/blackmail, but from the perspective of society it is a noble deed. Man Singh never robbed the poor; his loot was for his gang and for the needy. BRASS TACKS

Over 100 police cases were registered against Man Singh during the period between 1939 and 1955. He executed 1,112 dacoities and 185 murders (including the killing of 32 police officers) in those years



When the gang was small, our family would send money and rations. But police started harassing us, so we all packed up and joined him in the ravines. It was only then he started asking for money from the rich. Those who refused were robbed. Even then, not all their money was taken – only as much was required. Besides, the women of the household would not be touched – they were expected to hand over their jewellery voluntarily, although their mangalsutras (ornament of matrimony) were never taken. The gang carried guns but they weren’t trigger happy. They usually shot in self-defense – even the law allows that.

Later on, Dadda wanted to give up everything and return to his village and start farming again. But police would have surely killed him. In his heart, he was always a simple farmer. To commemorate his great life and deeds, we have this temple constructed.