Jayee Rajguru: The Man who Roused Spirit of Selfhood

Jaykrushana Mohapatra, also known as Jayee Rajguru, was born to Chand Rajguru and Haramani Devi on the auspicious day of the Anla Navami in Biraharekrushnapur in Puri district of Orissa on October 29, 1739. Jaykrushna was born into a family of Rajgurus who worked in the court of the King of Khurda.

His predecessors, who were traditionally known as Rajguru, served as the King of Khurda’s political, military, and spiritual advisors. Jayee Rajguru was a famous tantric Sadhaka and a wonderful Sanskrit scholar. In his early years, he had learned the Vedas, Puranas and scriptures Jayee Rajguru’s predecessors worked as legal advisors and spiritual teachers to the King of Khurda. As a result, they were given the title “Rajguru.” Rajguru was well-versed in the Vedas, Puranas, and other Bhartiya scriptures from a young age. He is credited with composing thousands of shlokas and quickly rose to prominence among pundits as a distinguished scholar.

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After the death of his father, Chand Rajguru, Jayee Rajguru was appointed as a scholar in the king’s royal court. Orissa was suffering from severe drought at that time. Many tiny kingdoms were at odds with one another. During this perplexing period, King Dibyasingha Deb-II left his young son, Mukund Deb-II, as successor. However, the king’s son was too young to reign. Hence, Jayee Rajguru was given the task of running the State and managing the monarchy in 1798. He did a great job with all administrative tasks and made a lot of important modifications.

Fighting for Motherland

The British ruled in various parts of the country throughout this time. They had sent out a notice to all of the smaller kingdoms, indicating that they must accept their domination. They were also subjected to taxes. Jayee Rajguru, on the other hand, dismissed the notice. He urged all people to fight for the honour of their motherland rather than bow down to the British. He was also effective in rallying the people of neighbouring kingdoms to his cause. He collected everyone and meticulously plotted a defensive strategy against the British. Many people were drawn to his energy and vigour, and many more began to come forward for assistance.

With the addition of a soldier named Paika from every household, it almost became a mass movement. These men had received extensive training in a variety of fighting abilities. The squad of men was thoroughly trained under the direction of Jayee Rajguru. Rajguru was not only a brilliant scholar and thinker, but also a very skilled combatant. He was a brilliant strategist who knew everything there was to know about weapons. His combat abilities were exceptional, and he was likely one of the few leaders to use guerrilla warfare against the British. He was well aware of the British weaponry’s better quality and the limitations of his army’s conventional armaments.

Attaining Martyrdom

He was a proponent of the development of weapons in rural areas. On the banks of the Mahanadi River, he and his forces fought a British force in 1804. They all battled valiantly, causing the British to suffer a significant setback. As a result, the British forces prepared for a large number of additional soldiers from Chennai to join their force. On the foothills of Barunei, the final ‘Battle of Barunei’ took place in December 1804. The Paikas destroyed the 7,000-strong British force with their combat abilities and valour in the battle. Finally, the British adopted a Divide and Rule policy. They offered a select local substantial parcel of tax-free property. They demanded information about Jayee Rajguru as well as his combat plan in return.

But first, Rajguru relocated the King to a secure location and surrendered to the British. Rajguru was sent to Medinipur by British officials after his surrender. After a lengthy trial period, he was sentenced to death for conspiring against the state and British officials. Jayee Rajguru accepted the punishment without hesitation, believing that fighting for one’s freedom and the honour of the nation was not a crime. He was executed in a gruesome manner. The date was fixed as December 6, 1806. His legs were tethered to two different branches of a banyan tree, which were then cut free, severing his torso into two. Jayee Rajguru was a martyr who gave his life for the benefit of his homeland. He is credited as being the first martyr opposing British authority to lead a frontal war against the British. He maintained himself cool during his horrific execution by reciting a shloka from ‘Bira Saptapadi’ and boldly accepting death. By his illustrious example of self-sacrifice at the altar of the homeland, Jayee Rajguru became a role model for all of the country’s freedom warriors. Jayee Rajguru’s insurrection in 1804 was a direct attack on the colonial administration’s complicated network of conspiracy, deception, and manipulation, as well as a defence of national honour.

Jayee Rajguru’s patriotism blazed so brightly that he embarked on the most thrilling trip. This resistance movement, led by the great nationalist hero, was infused with a greater sense of patriotism. Jayee Rajguru’s life and achievements are an incredible story of exhilarating heroism, unwavering patriotism, and unselfish sacrifice. His defiance of colonial authority was founded on deft diplomacy, unwavering bravery, and chivalry.