India’s struggle for independence is a tale interwoven with acts of unparalleled bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism. However, not all stories have been etched in golden letters on the pages of history. Among these lesser-known yet profoundly significant events is the Rodda Arms Heist of 1914, an audacious daylight robbery executed by a group of Bengali revolutionaries that deserves to be remembered as a pivotal moment in India’s freedom struggle. This heist, which took place in undivided Bengal, exemplifies the courage, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to the cause of independence that the revolutionaries of the time embodied. Yet, it remains submerged in the indifferent oblivion of history, overshadowed by other more celebrated events and figures.
The Revolutionary Spirit of Bengal
The early 20th century was a period of intense political awakening in Bengal. The partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British ignited the flames of nationalism, which had been simmering since the late 19th century. The youth of Bengal, inspired by leaders like Aurobindo Ghosh and Bipin Chandra Pal, were drawn to the revolutionary movement, which sought to overthrow British rule through armed resistance. These young men and women, driven by an unwavering sense of duty towards their motherland, were willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom. They viewed the country as a manifestation of the divine mother, and their struggle was not just political but deeply spiritual.
Among these revolutionaries were noble boys and girls who believed that true freedom could only be achieved through armed struggle. They rejected the passive resistance advocated by some leaders and instead chose the path of violent revolution. This was a time when the concept of the nation was synonymous with the motherland, and the revolutionaries took oaths in the name of their mothers to dedicate their lives to the liberation of their country.
Despite their heroic deeds, the contributions of these Bengali revolutionaries have been largely forgotten. While other parts of India have celebrated their freedom fighters, produced films, and written extensively about their struggles, the revolutionaries of Bengal have faded into the background. This is not due to a lack of heroism or sacrifice on their part but perhaps because of the complex relationship Bengal has had with its identity.
The Prelude to the Heist
In 1914, on the eve of World War I, a unique opportunity presented itself to the revolutionaries of Bengal. The global conflict had weakened the British Empire, and the revolutionaries saw this as a chance to strike a decisive blow against their colonial oppressors. The plan was audacious: to procure arms from Germany and stage a nationwide armed uprising. This would be the second Sepoy Mutiny, a coordinated rebellion that would shake the very foundations of British rule in India.
Leading this charge were revolutionaries like Jatindranath Mukherjee, better known as Bagha Jatin, and Rashbehari Bose. They were inspired by the belief that freedom could only be won through force, and they were willing to take the fight to the British on their terms. However, to carry out such a grand plan, they needed weapons—lots of them.
It was during this time that news reached the revolutionaries about a consignment of arms that was to arrive at the Calcutta office of Rodda & Company, a British-owned gun shop. The shipment included fifty Mauser pistols and forty six thousand rounds of ammunition. The revolutionaries knew that this consignment could be a game-changer in their struggle for independence. Seizing these weapons would not only equip them for future battles but also send a powerful message to the British authorities.
The Planning and Execution of the Heist
The heist was meticulously planned by members of the Atmonnati Sangha and Mukti Sangh, two revolutionary groups operating in Bengal at the time. The key figures in this operation were Srish Pal, Anukul Mukherjee, Haridas Dutta, Harish Shikder, Bipin Ganguly, Bhujang Dhar, and Srish Mitra. These men, fueled by their desire for freedom, took on the Herculean task of executing what would later be described as “The greatest daylight robbery” by The Statesman newspaper.
A meeting was held on August 24, 1914, in a narrow lane behind Lalbazar, known as Chhataola Goli. The revolutionaries gathered in a small park to discuss the plan in detail. Among those present were Haridas Dutta, Khagen Das, Naren Bhattacharya (who would later become famous as the communist leader M.N. Roy), Naren Ghosh Chowdhury, Srish Mitra, Biman Ghosh, Jagat Gupta, Suresh Chakraborty, and Ashu Roy. However, not everyone was convinced of the plan’s feasibility. Naren Bhattacharya and Naren Ghosh Chowdhury walked out of the meeting, unable to agree with the seemingly impossible task at hand.
Despite the odds, the remaining revolutionaries decided to go ahead with the plan. Srish Pal divided the responsibilities among the group. Biman Ghosh, Jagat Gupta, Suresh Chakraborty, and Ashu Roy were tasked with keeping an eye on the intelligence bureau (IB) men in Dalhousie Square. They were to signal the others at the first sign of danger. The signal was to be a melody sung by Ashu Roy, who was known for his singing abilities. The melody would be a cue for the others to either proceed or abort the mission.
Anukul Mukherjee was responsible for procuring a bullock cart with a pair of bullocks, which would be used to transport the arms from the custom house to the safe house. The custom house was located at the southeast corner of Lal Dighi, where the Reserve Bank of India now stands. From there, the goods would be loaded onto seven bullock carts and transported to the warehouse of Roda & Company at 2 Vansittart Row.
The operation was set for August 26, 1914. On the day of the heist, the weather was cloudy, with intermittent rain—perhaps a sign from the heavens favoring the revolutionaries. At exactly noon, the bullock carts arrived at Dalhousie Square and proceeded towards the custom house. Srish Mitra, also known as Habu, led the way. As planned, the seventh bullock cart, carrying the consignment of Mauser pistols and ammunition, was diverted from the rest of the convoy. The original driver had been drugged, and the cart was now being driven by Haridas Dutta, disguised as a Garwan (cart driver). He was accompanied by Srish Pal and Khagen Das, who walked silently on either side of the cart, their guns loaded and ready to fire at the slightest provocation.
The cart made its way through the busy streets of Calcutta, passing through Mission Row (now RN Mukherjee Road), Bentinck Street, Mango Lane, and Wellington Street before finally reaching its destination—a scrap metal warehouse near Malanga Lane. The warehouse belonged to Kanti Mukherjee, a close associate of the revolutionaries. The heist was executed flawlessly, without a single shot being fired or a drop of blood being shed.
The Aftermath and Legacy of the Heist
The Rodda Arms Heist was a stunning success. The revolutionaries had managed to seize fifty Mauser pistols and forty-six thousand rounds of ammunition right under the noses of the British authorities. The audacity of the heist sent shockwaves through the colonial administration, and the incident was widely reported in the press. However, despite the magnitude of the operation, the revolutionaries involved in the heist managed to evade capture. Only Shrish Mitra, who had orchestrated the entire operation, disappeared without a trace. It is believed that he fled to Assam and later crossed into China, where he met an unknown fate. Some say he was killed by Chinese soldiers, while others speculate that he died in the wilderness. His disappearance remains one of the many unsolved mysteries of India’s revolutionary history.
The Mauser pistols looted during the heist went on to play a significant role in various revolutionary activities across India. According to the 1918 report of IB, at least 27 cases involving the use of Mauser pistols were recorded. These pistols were used by revolutionaries in Bengal, Punjab, and other parts of India, including the famous Kakori Train Robbery of 1925. One of the pistols even made its way to Bhagat Singh, who used it during his revolutionary activities in Punjab.
Despite the significance of the Rodda Arms Heist, it remains a largely forgotten chapter in India’s freedom struggle. While the contributions of other revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose have been widely recognized and celebrated, the daring exploits of the Bengali revolutionaries involved in the heist have faded into obscurity. This is partly due to the complex political and cultural dynamics of Bengal, where the pride of being Bengali has often been overshadowed by a desire to assimilate into a larger Indian identity.
Remembering the Forgotten Heroes
Every year, August 26 comes and goes without much fanfare. The anniversary of the Rodda Arms Heist is largely forgotten, with only a handful of people paying their respects at the small memorial on Ganesh Chandra Avenue in Calcutta. The memorial, which was erected on the initiative of Gopal Mukherjee, the nephew of Anukul Mukherjee, features a model of the Mauser C96 pistol along with busts of Bipin Bihari Ganguly, Anukul Mukherjee, Girindranath Banerjee, and Haridas Dutta. There is also a fading photograph of Shrish Mitra, a poignant reminder of the forgotten heroes of Bengal’s revolutionary past.
As we approach the 110th anniversary of the Rodda Arms Heist in 2024, it is time to revive the memory of these forgotten revolutionaries and honor their contributions to India’s freedom struggle. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the cause of independence deserve to be remembered and celebrated. It is time to tell their stories, not just in history books but also in films, documentaries, and other forms of media, so that future generations can learn about the sacrifices made by these brave men and women.
The story of the Rodda Arms Heist is not just a story of a successful robbery; it is a story of resistance, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a people determined to fight for their freedom. It is a story that deserves to be told, remembered, and celebrated as a significant chapter in India’s long and arduous journey to independence.
References:
- Mukherjee, Uma. Two Great Indian Revolutionaries.
- Gupta, Amitabh. Blog on the Rodda Arms Heist.
- Gangopadhyay, Satyendranath. The Looting of Arms of Malangar Habu and Roda Company.
