Who was the first Indian to be executed by hanging under British rule? In Pics
Who was the first Indian to be executed by hanging under British rule? In Pics
Many brave freedom fighters sacrificed their lives in the struggle for India's independence from British rule. But have you ever wondered who was the first Indian to be executed by hanging during the colonial era? Let's delve into the story of this forgotten hero.
Maharaja Nandakumar was an Indian tax collector for various regions in what is modern-day West Bengal. He was appointed by the East India Company to be the Dewan (tax collector) for Burdwan, Nadia and Hooghly in 1764, following the removal of Warren Hastings from the post.
2/6Image Source : eastindiastory.com
Maharaja Nandakumar is often remembered as the first Indian to be executed by hanging under British rule. He was not just a revenue officer or a regional administrator -- he was a man of integrity who dared to challenge corruption at the highest level of the East India Company.
3/6Image Source : milansagar.com
Nandakumar's clash with none other than Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of Bengal, became a turning point, which cost him his life. Nandakumar accused Hastings of accepting bribes and misappropriating funds -- a bold move at a time when the British grip over India was tightening aggressively.
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4/6Image Source : History Reclaimed Website
Nandakumar's clash with none other than Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of Bengal, became a turning point, which cost him his life. Nandakumar accused Hastings of accepting bribes and misappropriating funds -- a bold move at a time when the British grip over India was tightening aggressively.
5/6Image Source : Representative Image
In a deeply controversial and politically charged trial in 1775, Maharaja Nandakumar was arrested and prosecuted under English law for an alleged case of forgery, a law that had never been used before in India. The trial was presided over by Sir Elijah Impey, a close associate of Hastings, which raised serious doubts about the fairness and impartiality of the proceedings.
6/6Image Source : Indian Statistical Institute
Despite widespread outcry and pleas for mercy, Nandakumar was found guilty and sentenced to death. On August 5, 1775, he was publicly hanged in Calcutta (now Kolkata), becoming the first Indian to be executed by hanging under the British legal system. His death sent shockwaves through the native community and is widely viewed by historians as a judicial murder.
