It was the year 1930. At that time, voices of resistance against British rule were rising across the country. Odisha’s Saliha village, located in the present-day Nuapada district, was no exception. In this village lived a 16-year-old tribal girl named Demathi Dei Shabar. She belonged to the Shabar tribe, and because of her extraordinary courage, she later came to be known as “Salihan,” after the name of her village.
Attack on Saliha Village
As Saliha village defied British orders and rose in rebellion, the British police launched a sudden attack on the village to suppress the uprising. At that time, Demathi and her companions were working in the fields near the village. Suddenly, news arrived that armed British police had entered the village and were brutalizing the people.
Demathi Becomes a Warrior Goddess
On hearing this, Demathi did not panic. Instead, she gathered around 40 young women and rushed toward the village. When she reached there, the scene she witnessed made her blood boil. Her father was lying on the ground, soaked in blood. Seeing such barbarity by the British police, Demathi’s anger knew no bounds.
British Police Forced to Flee
Armed with nothing but a stick, Demathi directly attacked the gun-wielding British officers. Witnessing the indomitable courage of a 16-year-old girl, the 40 women who had come with her roared like lionesses and charged at the British police. Faced with the collective stick attack of the tribal women, even the British forces equipped with modern firearms were forced to retreat and fled from the spot to save their lives.
The Saliha Uprising and Her Contribution
This incident is recorded in history as the “Saliha Uprising.” This rare episode—where enemies armed with guns were driven away by sheer courage and sticks—earned Demathi recognition as a great freedom fighter. In honor of her bravery, she came to be respectfully known as “Salihan.”
This brave daughter of Odisha passed away in 2002. Yet her valor, patriotism, and indomitable courage continue to remain a source of pride and inspiration for every Odia even today.
