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{{short description|Indian freedom fighter}}
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the unveiling of the statue of Shaheed Durga Malla in New Delhi on December 17, 2004.jpg|thumb|The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the unveiling of the statue of Shaheed Durga Malla in New Delhi on December 17, 2004]]
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the unveiling of the statue of Shaheed Durga Malla in New Delhi on December 17, 2004.jpg|thumb|The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the unveiling of the statue of Shaheed Durga Malla in New Delhi on December 17, 2004]]
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
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| nationality  = [[Indian people|Indian]] {{IND}}
| nationality  = [[Indian people|Indian]] {{IND}}
|known_for  = Prominent Figure of [[Indian independence movement]] activism and reorganizing and Major in the [[Indian National Army]]
|known_for  = Prominent Figure of [[Indian independence movement]] activism and reorganizing and Major in the [[Indian National Army]]
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Major '''Dūrgā Malla''' was the first [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha]] soldier from the [[Indian Gorkha]]s, [[Khas]] ethnic group in [[Indian National Army]] (INA) to sacrifice his life for the cause of [[Indian independence movement]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliament honour for Netaji warrior |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1021122/asp/siliguri/story_1404192.asp |work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]] |date=22 November 2002 |access-date=2008-10-14 }}</ref>
Major '''Dūrgā Malla''' (1 july 1913 - 25 August 1944) was the first [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha]] soldier from the [[Indian Gorkha]]s, [[Khas]] ethnic group in [[Indian National Army]] (INA) to sacrifice his life for the cause of [[Indian independence movement]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliament honour for Netaji warrior |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1021122/asp/siliguri/story_1404192.asp |work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]] |date=22 November 2002 |access-date=2008-10-14 }}</ref>


==Early life==
Malla was born in July 1913 at [[Doiwala]] near [[Dehradun]], into a [[Khas]] [[Thakuri]]/[[Chhetri]] family of [[Indian Gorkha]]s. He was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. In 1930, when [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was leading the countrymen for independence through Dandi March, Malla was a student in class nine. Though he was young, he caught everybody's attention by his outbursts in public against the British. In 1931, when he was 18 years old, he moved to [[Dharamshala]] and got enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles. His patriotism brought him close to the [[Indian National Army]] of Netaji [[Subhas Chandra Bose]].
Malla was born in July 1913 at [[Doiwala]] near [[Dehradun]], into a [[Khas]] [[Thakuri]]/[[Chhetri]] family of [[Indian Gorkha]]s. He was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. In 1930, when [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was leading the countrymen for independence through Dandi March, Malla was a student in class nine. Though he was young, he caught everybody's attention by his outbursts in public against the British. In 1931, when he was 18 years old, he moved to [[Dharamshala]] and got enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles. His patriotism brought him close to the [[Indian National Army]] of Netaji [[Subhas Chandra Bose]].


In 1942, Malla joined INA. His devotion to duty coupled with other skills elevated him to the rank of a Major in INA and he was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at [[Kohima]] on 27 March 1944. He was given death sentence by the Court of Trial at Red Fort, [[New Delhi]]. However, before the death sentence was finally executed, the authorities tried to coerce Major Durga Malla into admitting to sedition. His wife was brought to the prison cell but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.  
==Contribution==
{{quote|"The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain. [[India]] will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of [[Hindi|Hindustanis]] are with you," Malla told his wife. Those were his last words to his wife.}}
In 1942, Malla joined INA. His devotion to duty coupled with other skills elevated him to the rank of a Major in INA and he was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at [[Kohima]] on 27 March 1944. He was given death sentence by the Court of Trial at Red Fort, [[New Delhi]]. However, before the death sentence was finally executed, the authorities tried to coerce Major Durga Malla into admitting to sedition. His wife was brought to the prison cell but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=TheDC News |date=2021-07-01 |title=REMEMBER THE BRAVEHEART: Major Durga Malla of INA on his Birth Anniversary |url=https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/remember-the-braveheart-major-durga-malla-of-ina-on-his-birth-anniversary/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=The Darjeeling Chronicle |language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{blockquote|"The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain. [[India]] will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of [[Hindi|Hindustanis]] are with you," Malla told his wife. Those were his last words to his wife.}}


Malla was married to Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar, [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] in 1941. Just three days after marriage, Malla was recalled to his headquarters and directed to go abroad. He next met his wife only before his hanging at Delhi District Jail. In 1944, Major Durga Malla was sent to the [[gallows]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Sikkim, Perspectives and Vision |last=Chamling |first=Pawan |year=2003 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-140-5 |pages=353 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D15liv9RDloC&q=%22Durga+Malla%22&pg=PA353 |access-date=2008-10-14}}</ref>
Malla was married to Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar, [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharamshala]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] in 1941. Just three days after marriage, Malla was recalled to his headquarters and directed to go abroad. He next met his wife only before his hanging at Delhi District Jail. In 1944, Major Durga Malla was sent to the [[gallows]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Sikkim, Perspectives and Vision |last=Chamling |first=Pawan |year=2003 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-140-5 |pages=353 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D15liv9RDloC&q=%22Durga+Malla%22&pg=PA353 |access-date=2008-10-14}}</ref>


To honour Malla, a statue donated by [[Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh]], a national body of Indian Gorkhas, was unveiled at the Parliament House Complex by Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] in 2004. Vice President [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]], Lok Sabha Speaker [[Somnath Chatterjee]] and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gorkhas Demand Separate State, Recognition in India |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gorkhas.demand.separate.state.recognition.in.india/8847-2.htm |work=[[Christian Today]] |date=25 December 2006 |access-date=2008-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526111630/http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gorkhas.demand.separate.state.recognition.in.india/8847-2.htm |archive-date=26 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 25 August, the day of his hanging is observed as Balidan Diwas, or Martyrs' Day, by Gorkhas across India.
==Memory==
[[File:Statue of Durga Malla at Garidhura 03.jpg|thumb|The statue of Durga Malla at Garidhura in Darjeeling district]]
To honour Malla, a statue donated by [[Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh]], a national body of Indian Gorkhas, was unveiled at the Parliament House Complex by Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] in 2004. Vice President [[Bhairon Singh Shekhawat]], Lok Sabha Speaker [[Somnath Chatterjee]] and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gorkhas Demand Separate State, Recognition in India |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gorkhas.demand.separate.state.recognition.in.india/8847-2.htm |work=[[Christian Today]] |date=25 December 2006 |access-date=2008-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526111630/http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gorkhas.demand.separate.state.recognition.in.india/8847-2.htm |archive-date=26 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 25 August, the day of his hanging is observed as Balidan Diwas, or Martyrs' Day, by Gorkhas across India. Another statue of Malla was founded at Garidhura village in [[Darjeeling district]].
 
==External links==
* {{Commons-inline|Category:Durga Malla}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Indian National Army personnel]]
[[Category:Indian National Army personnel]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Indian people of Nepalese descent]]
[[Category:Indian Gorkhas]]
[[Category:People executed by British India by hanging]]
[[Category:People executed by British India by hanging]]
[[Category:Executed Indian people]]
[[Category:Executed Indian people]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Gurkhas]]
[[Category:Gurkhas]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Executed spies]]
[[Category:Executed spies]]
[[Category:Military personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Military personnel killed in World War II]]

Latest revision as of 08:31, 25 December 2022

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the unveiling of the statue of Shaheed Durga Malla in New Delhi on December 17, 2004

Dūrgā Malla
Born(1913-07-01)1 July 1913
Dehradun, India
Died(1944-08-25)25 August 1944
Delhi, India
NationalityIndian  India
OccupationIndian Freedom Fighter (Army)
Known forProminent Figure of Indian independence movement activism and reorganizing and Major in the Indian National Army
TitleMajor of Azad Hind
Indian National Army
Spouse(s)Sharda Devi Chhetri
Parent(s)
  • Parwati Devi (mother)

Major Dūrgā Malla (1 july 1913 - 25 August 1944) was the first Gorkha soldier from the Indian Gorkhas, Khas ethnic group in Indian National Army (INA) to sacrifice his life for the cause of Indian independence movement.[1]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Malla was born in July 1913 at Doiwala near Dehradun, into a Khas Thakuri/Chhetri family of Indian Gorkhas. He was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. In 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi was leading the countrymen for independence through Dandi March, Malla was a student in class nine. Though he was young, he caught everybody's attention by his outbursts in public against the British. In 1931, when he was 18 years old, he moved to Dharamshala and got enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles. His patriotism brought him close to the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Contribution[edit | edit source]

In 1942, Malla joined INA. His devotion to duty coupled with other skills elevated him to the rank of a Major in INA and he was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at Kohima on 27 March 1944. He was given death sentence by the Court of Trial at Red Fort, New Delhi. However, before the death sentence was finally executed, the authorities tried to coerce Major Durga Malla into admitting to sedition. His wife was brought to the prison cell but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.[2]

"The sacrifice I am offering shall not go in vain. India will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of Hindustanis are with you," Malla told his wife. Those were his last words to his wife.

Malla was married to Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar, Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh in 1941. Just three days after marriage, Malla was recalled to his headquarters and directed to go abroad. He next met his wife only before his hanging at Delhi District Jail. In 1944, Major Durga Malla was sent to the gallows.[3]

Memory[edit | edit source]

The statue of Durga Malla at Garidhura in Darjeeling district

To honour Malla, a statue donated by Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, a national body of Indian Gorkhas, was unveiled at the Parliament House Complex by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.[4] 25 August, the day of his hanging is observed as Balidan Diwas, or Martyrs' Day, by Gorkhas across India. Another statue of Malla was founded at Garidhura village in Darjeeling district.

External links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Parliament honour for Netaji warrior". The Telegraph. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  2. Desk, TheDC News (1 July 2021). "REMEMBER THE BRAVEHEART: Major Durga Malla of INA on his Birth Anniversary". The Darjeeling Chronicle. Retrieved 8 August 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. Chamling, Pawan (2003). Sikkim, Perspectives and Vision. Indus Publishing. p. 353. ISBN 978-81-7387-140-5. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  4. "Gorkhas Demand Separate State, Recognition in India". Christian Today. 25 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2008.