Umaji Naik Jayanti and Remembering A Forgotten Hero of India’s Freedom Struggle

Umaji Naik Jayanti and Remembering A Forgotten Hero of India’s Freedom Struggle

Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating the jayanti of Umaji Naik at Maharashtra Sadan.
How many of today’s generation would have even heard about Umaji Naik? After all, he is not glamorous like any film star, nor has any blockbuster been made in his name. Yet his bravery was far beyond any screen persona.
Umaji Naik was among the very first revolutionaries who dared to rise against British rule in India. He was not just a rebel but lived and died for freedom. His story is one that deserves to be retold to generations and so this blog.
Born in 1791 in a village near Pune, Umaji Naik grew up amidst hills and forests of Maharashtra and these may have shaped his untamed spirit making him resilient, and fiercely independent. He belonged to the Ramoshi community, traditionally known for their courage and survival skills.
From an early age, he displayed a spirit that could not be restricted by oppression. At a time when the British were tightening their grip over India, he dared  to challenge them.
He could not remain silent when he saw his land and people suffering under colonial oppression.
Much before 1857, when the First War of Independence is said to have begun, Umaji Naik had already taken to the rugged Sahyadri hills with his band of fighters. Using guerrilla warfare, he struck at British outposts, disrupted their revenue collection, and gave ordinary people hope that resistance was possible.
His knowledge of the terrain made him a formidable enemy, he was here one moment and gone the next, a shadow the British could never fully capture till he was betrayed by another Ramoshi, Nana Raghu Chavhan when he was captured and executed in 1832. Though his life was reduced, his courage and sacrifice inspire future generations of freedom fighters because he chose to rebel against one of the most powerful empires in the world.
When we celebrated his jayanti at Maharashtra Sadan, it was not merely a tribute—it was a reminder. Umaji Naik represents a kind of heroism that is quiet rare.  He stood against the British even when he had no fame, no stage, no riches but just had the courage to stand against an empire.
Today, when our idea of heroism is often shaped by cinema and celebrity culture, remembering Umaji Naik becomes even more important. His life was not about glamour—it was about grit, sacrifice, and an uncompromising love for freedom. By keeping his memory alive, we honour not just him but also countless unsung heroes whose struggles built the foundation of India’s independence.
True courage lies in sacrifice and in fighting for justice, even when the odds are impossible.
On his jayanti, and in every remembrance, we must make sure his name is not forgotten. For Umaji Naik’s life is not just history it is a lesson in resilience, bravery, and love for the motherland.

R. Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner, Maharashtra,
Compassionate Civil Servant & PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay