Odisha’s historic ‘Bedimatha’ where freedom fighters plotted against British cries for revival

Bedimatha site at Chatua village in Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district, once a significant centre of Odisha’s freedom struggle, is struggling these days with neglect. The historic site, where freedom fighters gathered and planned strategies against British rule, lacks basic infrastructure and recognition. Jagatsinghpur played an important role in India’s freedom movement, with Bedimatha serving as one of its key centres. Surrounded by rivers, streams and dense vegetation, the secluded location allowed freedom fighters to meet away from the watchful eyes of British police during the freedom movement days. Some prominent freedom fighters, including Narayan Birabara Samant, Duryodhan Pattnaik, Jagannath Satapathy, Brundaban Chandra Patra and Maguni Charan Rath reportedly played leading roles in the movement. During the Salt Satyagraha, British police allegedly detained and chained several freedom fighters at the site before sending them to jail. It is believed that the place subsequently came to be known as Bedimatha (shackle monastery). Despite its historical significance, the site remains neglected decades after Independence. Locals allege that neither adequate development of Bedimatha nor proper recognition of the freedom fighters associated with it has been ensured. The site still lacks a proper approach road, making access difficult for visitors. Freedom fighters’ descendants and intellectuals have expressed concern over what they describe as administrative apathy and a lack of political will to preserve the historic place. Locals have demanded comprehensive development of the Bedimatha and appropriate recognition of the freedom fighters who contributed to the region’s role in India’s independence movement. “The great personalities, the freedom fighters, and the Satyagrahis who gathered here at Bedimatha to strengthen the freedom struggle and garner more public support—96 years ago, the meetings of the freedom fighters used to take place at this very site. During the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, the significance of Bedimatha grew even further,” noted litterateur Pitambar Tarai told OTV. “Bedimatha is very ancient. All our freedom fighters used to gather here. Although MLAs, MPs, and sarpanchs visit Bedimatha, no development work is being done here. There is absolutely no development of Bedimatha. During India’s freedom struggle, salt was manufactured here, and the movement took place in this area. Everyone gathered here,” a resident of Chatua village, Shatrughan Das, narrated. However, no comments were received from the district administration in this regard.