168TH VICTORY DAY OF BABU VEER KUER SINGH CELEBRATED WITH ZEST

168^TH VICTORY DAY OF BABU VEER KUER SINGH CELEBRATED WITH ZEST

23-APRIL-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------168^th Victory Day of Veer Babu Kuer Singh was celebrated amidst national mourning due to the death of the Pope Fransis and three day national mourning announced by the central government,  in Bhojpur district on April 23, 2025 under the banner of Rashtriya Veer Bankuda Bau Kuer Singh Vijyotsava Samiti at Veer Kuer Singh Quila Maidan, Jagdishpur, the birth place of foremost freedom fighter of the first war of Independence in the year 1857 and Veer Kuer Stadium Ramana Maidan. Thousands of students of different schools took out ‘Prabhat Pheri’ from their respective schools that passed through the main thoroughfares of the town and culminated at Kuer Singh Park where Bhojpur DM Tanay Sultania, SP Mister Raj, Ara MP Sudama Prasad, social worker Sonali Singh, social workers, professors and teachers garlanded the statue of Babu Kuer Singh. NCC cadets, Scout and Guide sang national anthem. All the cultural programmes and other activities were suspended due to announcement of national mourning by the central government to pay homage to the Pope Fransice.

At Jagdishpur, the birth place of Babu Kuer Singh, people garlanded the statue of Kuer Singh in a simple function due to national mourning. Prabhat Pheri was taken out by the school children that passed through the main thoroughfares of Jagdishpur and culminated at Quila Maidan. Flag was hoisted and people garlanded the statue of Babu Kuer Singh there. No cultural and competitive programmes were organized.  

In Veer Kuer Singh University (VKSU), was also celebrated in simple way.  VC, VKSU and other professors and students garlanded the statue of Babu Veer Kuer Singh on the campus of the university.

Bhojpur DM while speaking on the occasion, said that Babu Kuer had fought against the British valiantly in the first war of Independence in the year 1857 for the freedom of the country and gave a message of unity which is a historical and inspiring.

Ara MP Sudama Prasad said that Babu Veer Kuer Singh is one of those valiant sons of the country who motivated the whole country with his leadership and sacrifice and his life is even today a source of inspiration for the youth.

Social worker Sonali Sinh said that Babu Veer Kuer Singh picked up the sword at an age when people prefer rest and fought against the British and spread the message of patriotism throughout the country. She added that many warriors were borne on the land of Bihar but sacrifice and martyrdom like that of Babu Veer Kuer Singh is rarely seen.

Nirmal Singh Shakrawar, president, Veer Kuer Singh Vijyotsava Celebration Committee said that Babu Kuer Singh was born in the year 1777 in Jagdishpur village of Bhojpur in Bihar. His father Babu Sahabzada Singh was one of the descendants of the famous ruler Bhoj. His younger brothers Amar Singh, Dayalu Singh and Rajpati Singh and the father of this family Udwant Singh, Umrao Singh and Gajraj Singh remained the landlords and always fought to maintain freedom.

In 1857, Hindus and Muslims stepped together to drive the British away from India. Mangal Pandey’s bravery was revolutionized the whole country. Danapur Regiment of Bihar, Barrackpur of Bengal and Ramgarh soldiers rebel. Fire broke out in Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Jhansi and Delhi too. Babu Kuer Singh led Indian soldiers in such a situation.

Babu Kuer Singh captured Ara town with Danapur soldiers, Bhojpur soldiers and other colleagues on April 27, 1857. Bhojpur remained free for a long time even after millions of efforts of the British. When English army tried to attack Ara, there was a strong fight in the forests of Bibiganj and Bihia. Brave freedom fighters headed to Jagdishpur. The British attacked Jagdishpur after Ara was re-occupied. Babu Kuer Singh and Amar Singh had to leave their birth place. Amar Singh continued to wage battle with the British and Babu Kuer Singh played like a brave soldier in Ramgarh at Banda, Reewan, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Balia Gazipur, Gorakhpur. That the old Rajpur fought fiercely against the British Power with amazing bravery and dignity, wrote about him. it was a fortune that Babu Kuer Singh was close to eighty years of age during the war. If he were young, perhaps the British would have to leave India in 1857.