A Commemorative postal stamp dedicated to Pa Togan Sangma was released on his 150th Death Anniversary.
The 150th Death Anniversary of the great Garo Freedom Fighter- Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma is being observed at Togan Memorial Park at Chisobibra in East Garo Hills District in Meghalaya today on December 12.
Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma was the first Garo Freedom Fighter and one of the greatest freedom fighters of Northeast . This valiant leader fought courageously against the British to safeguard his homeland and sacrificed his life fighting the Britishers.
On his 150th Death Anniversary today, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma paid floral tribute to Pa Togan Sangma.
Taking to Twitter the Meghalaya CM wrote, “Floral tribute in honour of the great freedom fighter of Garo Hills and Meghalaya, Pa Togan Sangma on his 150th Death Anniversary in East Garo Hills District. Pa Togan Sangma sacrificed his life to protect our land & people from British soldiers. We salute him for his sacrifice. “
Besides he also shared about releasing the Commemorative postal stamp dedicated to Pa Togan Sangma on his 150th Death Anniversary.
While sharing the images he wrote, “Released the commemorative postal stamp dedicated to Pa Togan Sangma on his 150th Death Anniversary This brave son of the soil is one of the greatest freedom fighters of the North East and the country who sacrificed his life fighting the Britishers @narendramodi @kishanreddybjp”
Every year on December 12, the great Garo warrior is paid tribute and remembered for his valour and fortitude. Moreover December 12 is a regional bank holiday in Meghalaya .
As per history , after the British marched into the Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Pa Togan Nengminza was a Garo warrior who refused to surrender and stood fiercely to prevent the British forces from occupying his homeland. What the Garo warriors lacked in weaponry, they made up for with bravery, with their reputation as headhunters striking fear into the British troops.
The British soldiers made camp in a village called “Matcha Rongkrek” in the Garo Hills in December 1872.
It is said that when the british soldiers were sleeping they were Pa Togan and his Garo warriors attacked the British soldiers while they slept. Though they struck the first blows, the British quickly roused themselves and retaliated. The battle was tough for the Garo warriors to bring down the britishers as the swords and spears of the Garo warriors was no match for the British guns. But still the Garo warriors bravely fought to the last man with Pa Togan Nengminza dying during the battle from a barrage of bullets.
Pa Togan and his warriors used huge shields made of plantain stems to stop the bullets as he thought metal would cool as soon as it hit the shields. The shield in his left hand statue is seen in his statue at Togan Memorial Park at Chisobibra.
The British would go on to take control of the region, but the recognition of the bravery of Pa Togan and his sacrifice in his attempt to protect his land and his people has outlasted the British.
On December 12th his death anniversary is commemorated at his memorial built in his honour at Chisobibra, where he died.
