Deepak Pandey/Khargone: Thorny bushes in the middle of the forest, a path full of thorns and silence all around. As the steps move forward, it seems that someone is walking along or following. After walking about 1 KM, one finally sees an old monument which has turned into ruins. At this very place, more than 150 people were hanged together and later their dead bodies were fed to crocodiles.
This scene and story is no less than the story of a horror film. Even today people hesitate to go here in the dark of night. Actually, the place we are talking about is present in a forest in Mandleshwar, 50 KM away from Khargone district headquarters of Madhya Pradesh. This place in the area is known as Phansi Badi. Years ago the British had carried out a death march here. People say that even today there is something here.
There is an old monument on the mound
To come face to face with the reality, the team of Local 18, after knowing the history, along with Durgesh Kumar Rajdeep, reached Phansi Baidi on foot through the forest, about 1 KM from Kasrawad Road. On a high mound, an old monument was seen surrounded by thorny bushes, which was built by revolutionaries many centuries ago.
Mandaleshwar was the headquarters of Nimar Range.
Historian Durgesh Rajdeep says that Mandleshwar was the headquarters of Nimar Range during the British rule. British residents used to reside here. Both cavalry and infantry forces were present here. In 1857-58 the British attacked and captured Mandaleshwar Fort. More than 150 comrades of Nimar revolutionary Bhima Nayak were taken into custody and were brought to this very place and hanged.
hanged on trees
Further told that earlier there were huge Neem trees in abundance here. All the revolutionaries were hanged en masse on these neem trees. After death, the dead bodies were dragged and thrown into Magardab on the banks of river Narmada, where crocodiles satisfied their hunger by eating the dead bodies. At that time crocodiles were seen here in large numbers.
demand for renovation
Durgesh Rajdeep said that due to the negligence of the government and administration, this place has become a victim of plight. Shivraj has sent a proposal to the government demanding development of this area from tourism point of view including renovation of the area. Presently, the present regional MLA Rajkumar Meo has also demanded the development of the gallows.
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Tags: British Raj, Local18, Mp news, Revolutionary Freedom Fighter
FIRST PUBLISHED: February 3, 2024, 08:02 IST
