Indian Robin Hood Tantia Bhil, also known as Tantia Mama was born in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, about 1840. His real name was Tandra Bhil. He was a well-known warrior whose valour earned him the British nickname “Indian Robin Hood.” According to legend, Tatya Tope learned the art of the “guerrilla fight” from Tantia Bhil, the national freedom hero and tribe hero. He was a Bhil warrior who stole from the British and ended hunger among the underprivileged. Tantia was a rebel who opposed the British government’s abuse of the underprivileged.
Tantia Mama: The Indian Robin Hood
One of the greatest revolutionaries, Tantya Bhil fought an armed rebellion against British authority for twelve years and won the hearts of the people with his unwavering courage and desire to overthrow foreign tyranny. Political parties and educated class started vigorous struggle for removing the British Rule. However, tribal tribes and revolutionaries like Tantia Bhil hoisted a flag of revolt against British control far earlier than these movements. Tantia Bhil came to represent the sentiments of both indigenous people and the broader populace.
Tantia Bhil first rose to prominence as a popular hero some 120 years ago, and the Bhil clan has always held him in high regard. He personified unwavering bravery, amazing agility, and organisational prowess.
Tantia Bhil used to pillage the British government’s official coffers and give the money of their sycophants to the needy and impoverished. He was, in reality, the Messiah of the underprivileged. People of all ages called him Mama informally. TantIa’s address became so well-known that the Bhils today take pride in being referred to as “Mama.” He had a magical way of reaching out to folks who needed financial assistance.
The New York Times’ notable publication of the news of Tantia Bhil’s arrest appeared on November 10, 1889. He was referred to as the “Robin Hood of India” in this news report.
He dodged the powerful British Empire’s police for many years while inflicting setbacks on them. On the suspicion of aiding Tantia, thousands of individuals were detained, and hundreds of them were imprisoned.
As a result of the betrayal of Ganpat, his official sister’s husband, Tantia was ultimately jailed. He was detained in the Indore, British Residency area’s Central India Agency prison. He was thereafter transported to Jabalpur under close police supervision. He was imprisoned in Jabalpur with heavy chains and subjected to cruel treatment by British guards. He was the victim of several atrocities. On October 19, 1889, the Sessions Court in Jabalpur condemned him to death by hanging.
The emergence of a Bhil insurrection alarmed the British authorities. The widespread consensus is that after being hanged, his body was dumped close to the Patalpani train station on the Khandwa rail line near Indore. The location of his wooden effigies is referred to as Tantia Mama’s Samadhi. Even now, every train driver pauses their vehicle to show Tantia Mama their respect.
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