Statues of India 6: Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton, Andhra Pradesh

Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton, Andhra Pradesh

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Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton was a British general who was instrumental in building many irrigation projects in Tamilnadu and Andhra. His first project was desilting of the great Kallanai. He was inspired by the dam and proposed building upper anaicut where cauvery branches out as kollidam river. His projects in Andhra earned him all the fame. Kurnool Cuddappha canal or K.C Canal, Prakasam Barrage and Dowleshwaram barrage are some of his accomplishments. He also proposed linking of rivers in Odisha but was not approved because of huge cost involved. Due to his contribution Andhra and Telangana today is called as rice bowl of India (Though only 3rd in production). The east Godavari is called the rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh.

He was honoured with title Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, K.C.S.I in 1877.

Statues of India 5: Madhusudan Das, Bhubaneswar

Madhusudan Das, Bhubaneswar

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Madhusudan Das popularly known as Utkal Gourav, was born on April 28, 1848 in the village of Satyabhamapur, 20 km away from Cuttack, Odisha. He was a poet and freedom fighter. 

He has many first to his name like, first Odia graduate, first Odia to have B.L and M.A degrees, first Odia advocate, first Odia to become a member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India and first Odia to travel abroad. 28 April every year is celebrated as lawyers day in Odisha. 

He founded Utkal Sammilani, an organisation which main objective was to unify the state of Odisha. Utkal Sammilani founded by Madhusudan Das fought for three decades to form a separate state for Odisha. Finally the Odisha state was established on 1st April 1936 and the day was observed as Utkala Dibasa/Odisha Dibasa or Odisha Day. 

He died at the age of 85, on February 04, 1934. 

Statues of India 4: Chakhi Khuntia, Bhubaneswar

Chakhi Khuntia, Bhubaneswar

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Chandan Hajuri known as Chakhi Khuntia is a famous freedom fighter from Odisha. He was born of 20th January 1827. He was also a poet and Puri Jagannath temple priest. He traveled allover India and has good contact with the Sepoy of north india. He assisted Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi in her revolt against the British authorities. He played a crucial role in stirring up anger in Indian soldiers and organised a rebellion against the British. He was arrested in Gaya and all his properties were confiscated by the east India company. He was released in 1858 and returned to puri. Chakhi Khuntia spent his later years in puri and mostly dedicated his time in composing devotional songs on Lord Jagannath. 

Statues of India 3: Thiruvalluvar Statue

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

At 133ft the Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari is the tallest statue in India built for mortal beings.

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Thiruvalluvar is well known for his work Thirukural. The statue was unveiled on 1st January 2000. The 133ft represents the 133 chapters present in the book. The 38ft pedestal represent the 38 chapters in the book on the topic virtue. The statue stands tall next to the vivekanadar rock memorial.

133 chapters of Thirukural contains 10 couplets each and a total of 1330 couplets. The book is grouped into three sections each dealing with virtue (அறத்துப்பால்), wealth (பொருட்பால்) and love (காமத்துப்பால்).

This is the most translated book in India under non religious category.

His birth place or year or family or any other details is not available clearly. It is generally assumed he was born somewhere between 4 BC to 7 BC. Some claim he was born in 300 BC. His religion was unknown so every major religion claim him as their own including Christianity.

Honors among many other:

Thiruvalluvar day is celebrated on 15th Jan every year (16th in leap years) in his honor.

Valluvar Kottam is another major monument in Chennai built in 1976 in honor of the great Tamil poet.

Statues of India 2: Shivaji statue, Vijayapura

Shivaji Circle, Vijayapura.

Chhatrapati Shivaji statue might be found in many parts of India. However Shivaji has close link with Vijayapura. Shahaji Bhonsle, Shivaji's father was a general under Deccan sultanates. At one time Shahaji lead the military of Adil Shahis of Bijapur.

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Shivaji's victory over Afzal Khan, the Adil Shahi general of Bijapur marked the raise of Shivaji's supremacy.

Afzal khan sent for Shivaji to discuss and bring to an end the clash between both forces. Shivaji knew how Afzal Khan murdered Kasturi Ranga of Sira during their meeting to discuss peaceful surrender. Shivaji carried a dagger under is cloth and killed Afzal Khan who tried to crush him. There are two sides to this story with each accusing other of treachery.

An interesting fact is though Shivaji captured huge land and lead the Maratha army for long time he officially became king in 1674 that is only 6 years before he died.

Honors among many other:

Indian government is building a memorial for the warrior king in Maharashtra. When finished this will be the tallest statue in the world surpassing the Buddha statue in China. Buddha statue is 420ft including the 66ft throne where as this will be 690ft.

Statues of India 1: Basaveshwara statue, Vijayapura

Basaveshwara statue, Bijapur.

Basaveshwara, Basavanna or Basava was a poet and a social reformer born in Bagewadi, Karnataka in 1105. He denounced class system and preached equality to men and women from all castes. He is considered as the founder of the Lingayat community in Karnataka. His poems are popularly known as vachanas. He brought in the anubhava mantapa or hall of spiritual experience where people from all backgrounds without discrimination participated in discussion on spirituality, economic and social issues. This is considered as worlds first parliament.

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Honors among many other:
1. Indian government minted commemorative coins in his name and released in 2006. He is the first Kannadiga in whose name a commemorative coin was released.
2. In 2003 then president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam unveiled the statue of Basavanna in parliament.
3. In 2015 Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled statue of Basavanna in Albert Embankment Gardens, London over looking Big Ben and British Parliament. Efforts of Dr. Neeraj Patil.
4. Basava express runs between Mysore and Bagalkot.

First post in new series about statues of India. The idea is to learn and spread knowledge about some of the leaders of our country.