Rupelo Koli was a leader of the Koli community in the Sindh region of the Indian subcontinent.

In 1843, when the British annexed most of Sindh, Rupelo's army of 8,000 men withdrew

into the mountains from their rugged strongholds.

They caused a lot of damage to the British army and defeated them thrice.

For 16 years, the British were unable to capture or defeat his doubty army of mountain men.

It was only when the neighboring kingdom passed on information about the hideouts of Rupelo

and his men that British were able to corner Rupelo.

The battle that followed was chaotic and Rupelo's men caught by surprise had to retreat

and attempted escape.

Over the next month, the British hunted down many of these troops and they say over 6,000

of Rupelo's men were killed.

Rupelo himself was captured when his were about to reveal by an informant.

After his arrest, he was offered a huge sum of money and land in exchange for information

about other leaders of rebellion.

But he refused and was then tortured and beaten up, but his spirit did not break.

They even brought his wife to the prison and threatened to torture her.

But this brave and wonderful woman told Rupelo our deaths are of no consequence, a thousand

Rupelo's will arise if we fall dead.

Finally, the British decided to hang him to death in 1859.

It is unfortunate that many heroes who let the way for the freedom have been forgotten.

It is time we remember their sacrifices not in bitterness or resentment, but as a source

of inspiration and appreciation as they have carved our nation's destiny for what it

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