PUNE: On the occasion of 188th death anniversary of revolutionary Umaji Naik, people gathered in large number at Mamledar Kacheri in Shukrawar Peth, to pay their tribute. 

Naik had led anti-British resistance after the fall of Maratha Empire and he was hanged on February 3, 1832, at the Mamledar Kacheri, which now houses the office of Haveli Tehsil. 

Naik was born in 1791. He joined the British Army as per plan to get weapons. He had fled with many guns and bullets and later led a rebellion. 

Naik was caught by the British by devious means and he was kept in the prison at Mamledar Kacheri. After a brief trial he was executed and his body was hanged from a peepal (fig) tree (which is still present) for three days to terrorise people.   

Sunil Jadhav (38), secretary of Krantiveer Raje Umaji Naik Hutatma Smarak, said, “His act inspired many others in the contemporary times and, I personally wish that his patriotic act is reflected in the minds of youths of this nation.” 

Among the people who came to pay tribute was Pankaj Shirshat (31), who said, “Raje Umaji Naik’s sacrifice came at a time when people from the backward Raomoshi community were disallowed to participate in social activities.”

Shirsat further addded,” He has been one of the unsung figures who has left tremendous impact by giving his life in the freedom struggle.”

80-year-old Dayaram Baviskar added, “Many historians have failed to honour his legacy by not giving him his due credit in the history books. Now we’re are publishing a book about his life.”