Raja Bhabhut Singh

• 09 Jun 2025

Why in News? 

The Madhya Pradesh government paid tribute to 19th-century tribal icon Raja Bhabhut Singh by renaming the Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary in his honour.

Key Points 

• About Raja Bhabhut Singh: 
  • Contribution in Revolt of 1857: Raja Bhabhut Singh was a prominent but lesser-known tribal leader during the 1857 revolt against British rule. 
  • Master of Guerrilla Warfare: He used his deep knowledge of the Satpura forests and terrain to launch effective guerrilla attacks, resisting British forces for years. 
  • Ally of Tatya Tope: He maintained close ties with national leaders like Tatya Tope and extended support to the broader freedom movement. 
  • Martyrdom and Legacy: The British deployed the Madras Infantry to capture him and later executed him in 1860. His legacy survives through Korku folk traditions. 
• Other Tribal Icons Honoured in Madhya Pradesh: 
  • Tantya Bhil: In 2021, Patalpani railway station was renamed after him. 
  • Bhima Nayak: A memorial has been announced to honour Bhima Nayak, a revered Bhil freedom fighter. 
  • Rani Kamlapati: Habibganj railway station in Bhopal was renamed after the Gond queen, the seventh wife of ruler Nizam Shah of Ginnor Fort (present-day Sehore). 
  • Shankar Shah & Raghunath Shah: In 2021, it was announced that Chhindwara University would be named after the Gond royals. 
  • Bhima Nayak Memorial: Nayak, who led the Bhil resistance in Khandesh (1818–1850). 
• Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • About: 
    • It lies within the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone and falls under the Biotic Province of Central India. 
    • It is centrally located in the Satpura mountain range, which runs west to east across India. 
    • The tallest point in the reserve is Dhoopgarh, which rises to 1,352 metres above sea level. 
  • Protected Areas within the Reserve: 
    • The biosphere reserve includes three major protected areas: Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi Sanctuary. 
    • These three zones together form the Satpura Tiger Reserve, a significant conservation landscape for central India. 

Korku Tribe 

• About: 
  • The Korku community primarily resides in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the Melghat region of Maharashtra. 
  • Traditionally, the Korku are settled agriculturalists and skilled cultivators. 
    • They were pioneers in growing crops like potato and coffee in their regions. 
  • While most now have substantial farms, some transitioned from slash-and-burn (jhum) cultivation to forestry and field labour as late as the 19th century. 
  • Korku villages are typically made up of small, thatched huts built from grass and wood. 
  • They live in hereditary, male-lineage-based communities, led by traditional headmen. 
• Cultural Practices and Beliefs: 
  • The Korku possess a distinct cultural identity, with traditional healing practices still in active use. 
  • They revere their ancestors as deities and commemorate them by erecting memorial pillars known as 'Munda'.