Batak Mian, was a cook who saved the life of Mahatma Gandhi from a murder attempt by food poisoning[1] in 1917. He was an employee of an indigo plant at Motihari, Bihar. Afterwards, he was ousted from his job, tortured, and compelled to leave the village.
Incident
editMahatma Gandhi was invited to dinner by the manager of an indigo plant, Erwin. Erwin insisted to his cook, Batak Mian, to add poison to a glass of milk, and to serve to Gandhi.[2] He went to serve, but revealed the plot to Rajendra Prasad.[3][4] After escaping from the attempt, Mahatma Gandhi continued his protest at Champaran. The estate manager tortured Batak Mian, lost his house and properties, and was driven out of his village.[5]
After Independence of India
editRajendra Prasad visited Motihari in 1950, as President of India.[1][citation needed] A crowd formed around him and he recognized Batak Mian from the crowd, and described to the public how the incident happened in 1917.[citation needed][1] He ordered to grant Batak Mian 24 acres of land as an appreciation from the nation. He died in 1957.[citation needed][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d B Vijay Murty (22 January 2010). "Family of Mahatma's saviour in dire straits". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ "Their grandfather saved Gandhi's life". NDTV. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Mehta, Arun. J (20 December 2014). Lessons in Non-violent Civil Disobedience. p. 87.
- ^ "Batak Mian: Forgotten patriot who saved Bapu's life in 1917". DDNews. Doordarsan. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ SANCHARI PAL (30 January 2018). "The Forgotten Cook Who Paid Heavily For Refusing To Poison Mahatma Gandhi". The better India. Retrieved 6 June 2020.