The 1837 Guerrilla Battle of Serengsia Valley: Remembering 26 Tribal Martyrs

Chaibasa, Jharkhand: The Serengsia Valley in Jharkhand’s Kolhan division revisits the pages of history every year on February 2, commemorating the valiant tribal warriors who fought against British rule in 1837. Led by Poto Ho, these fighters armed with bows, arrows, slings, and stones defeated a large contingent of British troops. More than 100 British soldiers were killed in this fierce guerrilla battle, while 26 tribal warriors attained martyrdom. Poto Ho and his comrades were later captured by the British and publicly executed.

This year, Chief Minister Hemant Soren paid homage to the immortal martyrs at the Serengsia Shaheed Memorial. During the event, he also announced several development projects for West Singhbhum district and distributed appointment letters to 1,479 youth.

Annual Shaheed Mela

The bravery of these tribal heroes is remembered every February 2 at the Serengsia Valley Shaheed Mela, which draws thousands of attendees. This year, CM Hemant Soren, Minister Deepak Birua, and MP Joba Majhi honored the martyrs by bowing at the memorials.

The ‘Ho’ Tribe: Guardians of Freedom

CM Soren remarked that fulfilling the dreams of their forefathers who sacrificed their lives for freedom is the truest tribute. During British rule, Kolhan was part of the Bengal Presidency, but the Ho tribe considered themselves independent. Their resistance, fueled by growing discontent since 1821, ultimately erupted into armed rebellion.

Ambush in the Valley

To assert control over the region, the British Governor-General’s agent, Captain Wilkinson, devised a military campaign. On November 17–18, 1837, a large contingent led by Captain Armstrong—comprising 400 armed soldiers and 60 cavalry—advanced toward Kolhan. However, Poto Ho and his companions anticipated the move and set an ambush in the Serengsia Valley. The guerrilla attack, carried out amidst dense forests and rugged hills, forced the British army to retreat despite their superior weaponry.

Casualties and Execution

The battle resulted in over 100 British casualties, while 26 tribal warriors were martyred. In retaliation, the British attacked Rajabasa village, causing further bloodshed. Poto Ho, Budai Ho, and Nara Ho were hanged at Jagannathpur on January 1, 1838, while Bora Ho and Panduva Ho were executed in the Serengsia Valley the following day. Additionally, 79 tribal fighters were imprisoned.

Development Announcements

During the commemoration, CM Hemant Soren inaugurated and laid the foundation for 197 development projects worth ₹398.19 crore. Assets worth ₹637.43 crore were distributed among 3,77,256 beneficiaries across departments. Appointment letters were also handed over to 1,479 youths, reinforcing the government’s commitment to progress alongside remembrance of the martyrs’ legacy.