Tag: ₹50

Banke Chamar (1820–1857) was a legendary Dalit revolutionary from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, who played a significant role in India’s First War of Independence in 1857. Born into the marginalized Chamar community, traditionally associated with leatherwork but deeply involved in agriculture as well, Banke emerged as a fearless leader who organized a multi-caste rebellion against British colonial rule. His guerrilla warfare tactics disrupted British administration and inspired widespread resistance. The British government recognized the threat posed by Banke’s leadership by placing an unprecedented bounty of ₹50,000 on his head—a sum equivalent to several crores in today’s currency. Despite his eventual betrayal and execution along with 18 associates on December 18, 1857, Banke Chamar’s legacy endures as a symbol of Dalit courage, resistance, and leadership in India's struggle for freedom. His story challenges the traditional narratives of the 1857 revolt by highlighting the critical role played by marginalized communities in the fight against colonial oppression.