Amrita Devi
Amrita Devi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1700-1702 |
| Died | 11 September 1730 (Aged 28-30) |
| Known for | environmental martyr Khejarli massacre |
Amrita Devi known as Amrita Devi Bishnoi[1][2]was an environmentalist from the Bishnoi community who sacrificed her life in 1730 to protect Khejri trees.[3][4] Her bravery in the Khejarli massacre[5] became the ultimate symbol of nature conservation and inspired modern movements like the Chipko Movement.[6][7][8]
Khejarli massacre
The Khejarli massacre was an event in 1730 in Rajasthan where 363 Bishnoi people were killed while peacefully protecting Khejri trees.[9] Led by Amrita Devi Bishnoi, the villagers hugged the trees to prevent them from being felled by the soldiers of Maharaja Abhai Singh of Marwar.[10]
Legacy and honours
The Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award was established by the Government of India. The award honours individuals or communities for significant contributions to wildlife protection.[11][12][13][14]
References
- ^ "9 Reasons To Know Amrita Devi Bishnoi". www.indiatoday.in. 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ Sahapedia (2020-09-10). "When Amrita Devi and 362 Bishnois sacrificed their lives for the Khejri tree". Feminism in India. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Khejri, the tree that inspired Chipko movement, is dying a slow death". The Indian Express. 2016-12-04. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ AR, Reshmi (2026-03-07). "The Forgotten Roots of India's Eco Feminism". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1997. ISBN 978-81-85297-68-2.
- ^ "The Bishnois, India's original environmentalists, who inspired the Chipko movement". Ecologise. 2017-05-28. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Bishnoi villagers sacrifice lives to save trees, 1730 | Global Nonviolent Action Database". nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "The Bishnoi: India's First Environmentalists". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Chipko Movement". Tottenham Trees. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ Mukul, Sushim (2024-10-18). "When 300 Bishnois sacrificed their lives to save trees from a maharaja". India Today. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Jairam Ramesh announces Amrita Devi and Gaura Devi awards for environment protection". www.thehindu.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Remembering Amrita's sacrifice". The Tribune. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the Khejri". Azim Premji University. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ^ "National Forest Martyrs Day 2020: Why we observe this day on Sept 11 every year and how it started". The Daily Jagran. Retrieved 2026-04-11.