Karunakar Singh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | 11 February 1858 Sambalpur |
| Cause of death | Death Sentence by Hanging |
| Known for | Indian Freedom Struggle |
| Movement | Sambalpur Uprising |
Karunkar Singh Naik, commonly known as Karunakar Singh (Odia: କରୁଣାକର ସିଂହ), was an Indian chieftain and rebel leader. He was the Gond Zamindar of Kolabira in what is today the Jharsuguda district of Odisha.
He collaborated with freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai and other rebels during the Sambalpur uprising[1] against British East India Company troops. As a rebel leader, Karunakar played a crucial role in protecting communication channels and ensured reinforcements and supplies were available. It is believed that Karunakar commanded the rebels during Surendra Sai's absences. British troops from Madras Presidency and Nagpur attacked Karanakur's residence in Kolabira. The battle site is known as Agnitirtha (pilgrimage of holy fire) and is remembered as the last defensive stand of the rebels. Karunakar, his brother, and his nephew fought the superior forces of the British East India Company. Karunakar was later captured and hung, along with two other rebel leaders.
- ^ "Freedom Movement in Jharsuguda District" (PDF). www.magazines.odisha.gov.in. p. 59. Retrieved 20 December 2018.