Nilambar and Pitambar

Nilamber and Pitamber were freedom fighters from Jharkhand. Two brothers had led a revolt against the East India Company in 1857. They were born in Chemo-Senya village in family of Bhogta clan of Kharwar tribe in Latehar district. Their father Chemu Singh was Jagirdar. They decided to declare themselves independence from Company rule. They got inspired by Doronda revolt in Ranchi led by Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo and Pandey Ganpat Rai. Chero Jagirdar Devi Baksh Rai joined them. On 21 October 1857, 500 persons led by Nilamber and Pitamber attacked Raghubar Dayal at Chainpur who had sided with British. Then they cause heavy destruction at Lesliganj. Lt. Graham could not able to suppress the revolt with only 50 persons. Rebels besieged Lt. Graham in the house of Raghubar Dayal. In December, two company under Major Cotter arrived and able to capture Devi Baksh Rai. To suppress revolt, Commissioner Dalton arrived in Palamu with Madras Infantry, Ramgarh Cavalry and soldiers of Pithoria Parganait on 21 January 1858. He and Graham attacked Palamu Fort whichoccupied by rebels. Nilamber and Pitamber forced to flee due to large number of British force. Dalton got the letter of Babu Kunwar Singh to Nilambar and Naklait Majhi where he had written about immediate help. Dalton planned to suppress the rebellion before help of Kunwar Singh. Nilamber Pitamber continued their fight against British force by hiding in forest. Eventually they get arrested and hanged to death on 28 March 1859 by British force in Lesliganj.

• Nilamber-Pitamber University