Amko Simko Massacre: Remembering a Tragic Chapter in History

The Amko Simko massacre, also known as the Amco Simco firing, is a painful chapter in the history of India that unfolded on April 25, 1939, in the serene village of Simko, located in the Gangpur estate, now known as Birmitrapur, Sundergarh, Odisha. This tragic incident involved the British Indian Army and tribal peasants who had gathered to protest against unjust taxes and land rights denial.

The Background:

The Mundas, a tribal community, had a deeply rooted customary land ownership system called “Khuntkatti.” Under this system, families or lineages within the tribe collectively owned land, water, and forests. However, the arrival of the British colonial government disrupted this age-old practice. In 1765, the British East India Company took control of the Chhotanagpur region, imposing taxes on lands cultivated by the tribal communities. This led to a series of uprisings and rebellions, including the Tilka Manjhi revolt in 1784.

Gangpur State, primarily inhabited by Munda and Oraon tribals, was a hotbed of resistance against these exorbitant taxes. After years of struggle, the British government was compelled to pass the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908, recognizing and safeguarding the Mundari Khuntkatti system.

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The Zamindari System:

The British introduced the zamindari system, where peasants paid rent through intermediaries known as zamindars. These zamindars became owners of the land cultivated by peasants and collected taxes from them.

Lead-up to the Massacre:

In the village of Dahijira, Munda ryots (tenants) had stopped paying rent, and other tribes supported their cause. Petitions were filed against the high rent rates, but the local government was adamant about collecting taxes. The Queen of Gangpur, Rani Janaki Ratna, attempted to persuade the tribals, but her efforts were in vain. The agitation escalated, and Nirmal Munda, a World War I veteran, emerged as a prominent leader of the no-rent campaign.

In 1938, the movement intensified, with demands including land restitution, abolition of taxes, and more. Despite attempts to negotiate, the rebellion persisted.

The Massacre Unfolds:

As the situation worsened, the Durbar of Gangpur sought help from the British political agent in Sambalpur to suppress the rebellion. They planned to arrest Nirmal Munda, and it was falsely claimed that Rani Janaki had accepted the agitators’ demands and was going to make an announcement in Simko village. On April 25, 1939, a large group of Adivasis gathered at Amko Simko, led by Nirmal Munda.

Assistant Political Agent Lt. E. W. Marger and a British officer arrived to arrest Nirmal Munda on charges of sedition and assault. Tensions escalated, leading to clashes between the police and the tribals. Unable to control the crowd, the police opened fire, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

The Aftermath:

The exact casualty count remains disputed. The Odisha government claims 39 deaths and 50 injuries, while unofficial records suggest nearly 50 fatalities and around 100 injuries. Some even claim more than 300 casualties. Many victims’ names are not officially documented, but a list compiled from various sources is available.

Here is a table listing some of the victims of the Amko Simko massacre:

In Popular Culture:

The Amko Simko massacre is remembered in a tribal folk song called “Amko Simko Po’dāte,” sung in the Khadia language, which narrates the tragic events of that day.

The Amko Simko massacre serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by tribal communities in their fight for justice and land rights during India’s struggle for independence.