Ullaskar Dutta
Jul 11 2022 Indian fighters for freedom Ullaskar DuttaUllaskar Dutta an attractive personality with an optimistic outlook, is one of the sparkling gems of the Indian freedom movement. He was a revolutionary, who did not flinch from expressing his extreme disliking for the British rule.
His determination inspired many youngsters of his era to join the freedom struggle and contribute to making India free.
Initial years
Hewas born in Brahmanbaria district (Bangladesh) on 16th April, 1885. He was a native of the village Kalikaccha. He was taught the values propounded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. His father Dwijadas Dutta was a follower of Brahmo Samaj and had attained a degree from University Of London. Ullaskar Dutta cleared the entrance exam in 1903 and entered the Presidency College, Calcutta.
It was the time when the British nationals living in India had no respect for any Indian community and could speak derogatorily without any fear of being prosecuted for the same. Now, one of the British professors called Professor Russell blurted out certain offensive remarks about the Bengali community.
Ullaskar Dutta could not keep his cool at this insult and ended up assaulting the professor. As a result, he was suspended from the Presidency College.
Extremely tortured
He was an active participant in the activities of Jugantar party. He learnt the technique of bomb-making and one of the bombs created by him was used in an important assassination bid. On 30th April 1908, two revolutionaries Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose tried to murder Magistrate Kingsford by throwing a bomb at his carriage.
The latter was notorious for giving extremely rigorous sentences to the freedom fighters. Unfortunately, the revolutionaries were not successful in hitting the right carriage and the bomb hit a different one. It fatally wounded two British women, who were the family members of barrister Pringle Kennedy. Along with other members of his party, such as Khudiram and Barindra Ghosh, Ullaskar Duttawas also arrested and given a death sentence.
The hanging was to be carried out in 1909 but it was later scrapped after an appeal was made. He was given transportation for life and hence, sent to Andaman to be imprisoned in the Cellular Jail.
He spent very agonising time during his imprisonment. The colonial authorities meted out torturous treatment to this noble revolutionary. Because of the immeasurable torture, he lost his sanity. Despite the maltreatment, he tried to keep the spirits of his fellow inmates up by narrating funny anecdotes and jokes. He attained freedom in 1920, and soon after, went back to Calcutta.
Final years
After being arrested again in 1931, Ullaskar Dutta was sent to prison for 18 months. The colonial rule ended in 1947, and only then, he went back to his native village Kalikaccha. He arrived at Kolkata in 1957 and got married. He moved to Silchar (Assam) and stayed there until his death on 17th May, 1965.
As a tribute, the state governments in Kolkata and Silchar christened two streets in his name. This courageous revolutionary also wrote two books – Amar Karajiban (My Prison Life) that was translated in English (Twelve Year in Prison Life), and Dwipantarer Katha (The Tale of Deportation).