Rooplo Kolhi

Rooplo Kolhi (Sindhi: روپلو ڪولهي) was a Sindhi freedom fighter, who fought against the British Rulers in Karoonjhar Mountains at Nagarparkar District, Tharparkar, Sindh. His birth name was Roopo Goil. The British hanged him on 21 June 1859 with his companions. His anniversary is celebrated on June 21 every year.[1] He was the last commander of rebels hanged by the British.[2] In 2017, a resort under his name Rooplo Kolhi Resort was opened in Nagarparkar, Sindh by the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation[3]

There were some important characters have been passed in kolhi community, if ever heard or read about them our consciousness is awakened. As we have Rooplo Kolhi (1818 - 1859 ), who martyard his life fighting against the British Rule for his native land and set up an example of truthfulness and honesty with the native land. On the other hand we have Aalam Chand and Chattarbhuj Kolhi, both were first educated persons in the Kolhi community, and both passed their B.A from Bombay University. They struggled to make education common for the resident of Parkar (also known as Nagar Parkar) and provided education to all the residents of Parkar. Aalam Chand Kolhi and Chattarbhuj Kolhi also worked for poor people of Parkar with Miskeen Jahan Khan Khoso. After these personalities we have Lagdheer Kolhi who also worked with them for the poor people, he was tortured by police also but instead of that he keep on helping the poor person and keep on struggling for their rights. After Shimla Agreement, they migrated to India. I tried to collect more information about them also tried to contact with them but I couldn't do so. I also asked about them from my father he told me that they live in India and they were in contact with my father. After these above personalities there was lack of education among the community again and we all know that education is an important tool and right of every individual so, after this there were two more important personalitites of Kolhi Community came to struggle and enlight the future of these individuals. Two personalities of Kolhi Communities were Paroomal Kolhi who was a retired primary school teacher as well as became the Member of National Assembly. He again struggled for the rights of the people and also established schools so that every individual can acquire education which is the basic right of everyone. There were many community halls were constructed by him. Another personality we have is, Teekam Das Kolhi he was Member of Provincial Assembly. He also struggled for the rights of many people he fought for the injustice against the people of Kolhi Community. He also constructed schools and ponds for the drinking water. He also raised voice against the British ruler's injustice with the innocent people at border. Too many innocent people got arrested because of the wickedness of British Rulers at the border side he not only overcome that injustice but also make them to resign from their designations and also make them punished so that no other one can think of any injustice with any one.

Execution

Rooplo Kolhi was a commander of tribal forces and he, along with two other commanders were rebelling under Rana Karan Singh Sodha of Nagarparkar.[1] Under his leadership, more than 8,000 fighters belonging to Kolhi tribe rebelled.[1] Other commanders were killed and later Rooplo Kolhi was arrested near Pag Wool well, where his troops were fetching water.[1] Rooplo Kolhi was brought before Colonel Tyrwhitt, who offered him a large sum of wealth with a condition that Kolhi should seek an apology and become a vassal and inform the hideout of Karan Singh and his companions, to which Kolhi opposed.[1] His fingers were wrapped in cotton and soaked in oil was burnt in front of locals. He sustained all the tortures bravely. He was hanged on the banks of Sardharo stream, near Nagarparkar and Karunjher Mountains on 22 August 1858.[1]

Descendants

After the death of Kolhi, his mother Kesrbai, wife Meenawati and others migrated to Kunri, which is a part of today's Mirpurkhas district and his later descendants settled at the place.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Prisoner from the granite hills". Jung : The News on Sunday. 1 Sep 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  2. Shah, Zulfiqar (29 March 2008). "Roots of Nationalism in Sindh". Dawn. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  3. Mansoor, Hasan (August 21, 2017). "Tourist resort in Nagarparkar opens". DAWN.COM.
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