Voice of Forest : Joria Parmeshver

 Voice of Forest :Joriya Parmeshwar

“Dont ask me a Reapitedly question will not answer the same question repeatedly,” said the accused.

“Why?” asked the judge.

At a time when people were afraid even to sneeze in front of the British, an Adivasi youth stood boldly in the courtroom and replied confidently to the British judge. This young man was Joriya Kaliya Nayak, also known as Joriya Parmeshwar, from Vadek village in Jambughoda taluka of Panchmahal district in Gujarat.

A special court was set up on the banks of the Sukhi River in Jambughoda, where Joriya Parmeshwar and 58 other tribal revolutionaries were being tried for treason against British rule. Their “crime” was simply this: they had raised the bugle of rebellion against colonial rule, fighting for the rights of Adivasis over their JAL ,JAMIN and JUNGLE.

Joriya was about six feet tall, with strong legs, a wheatish complexion, and sharp eyes. As a child, he could climb trees swiftly like a bullet and was skilled in using slingshots, stones, and bows. He was hardworking, intelligent, and honest.

According to folklore, one night his family deity appeared in his dream and told him he possessed divine powers. It is also believed that he was gifted divine weapons. From that day, Joriya transformed from an ordinary man into a spiritual figure, regarded as a divine being or “Parmeshwar.” He began living a life of purity like a holy man (Bhagat), as per tribal traditions.

He could address thousands in the Nayaki language and raised awareness among tribals against oppressive British policies such as forced labor, denial of forest rights, and branding tribals as criminals. He also worked toward social reform, discouraging alcoholism and promoting internal discipline among tribal communities.

Because his words matched his actions, thousands became his followers. People would visit his home in Vadek to seek blessings at the seat of Dharamraj he had established.

His method of initiating disciples was unique—he would whisper something in their ears, offer them a sacred thread, give them prasad (Sukhadi- a indian Sweet), and red rice from a pot. In return, disciples would offer a coins, money, or maize at his feet, thus confirming their discipleship. Even today, many songs and legends about Joriya’s life and deeds are popular among Nayak tribals.

Joriya organized thousands of followers into a structured force. His aim was to launch a major movement against heavy land taxes, forest laws, forced labor, exploitation by British rulers, princely states, landlords, and even local officials like village heads and Patvaries. He believed that tribals were suffering under “triple Layers of slavery”—British rule, princely states, and local Functionies of the British Raj.

His mission was to free them and establish a self-governed Nayaki state. He created ranks among his followers such as Jodha, Kotwal, Hanuman ji, Lakshman ji and vazir Understanding British conspiracies, he even created a look-alike for himself.

With the support of revolutionary Rup Singh Nayak and his sons, his strength grew significantly. From Halol to Chhota Udepur, he established a well-organized system and prepared for direct conflict with the British, using traditional weapons like slings, bows, and bow-arrows, along with a secret intelligence network.

A tribal folk song reflects their readiness for battle:

“ઊંસો વડલો ને નેસો સારો,

સોરે દીવાયા સાગી ઢોલ જોરિયા નાયક,

ઊંદા નગારા સતા ફેરો રે જોરિયા નાયક,

તેનો તી ડંકો દેવાયો રે જોરિયા નાયક”

Joriya’s warriors marched into battle. Between 2nd and 16th February of 1868, they fought four major battles at Rajgadh, Pavi-Jetpur, Jambughoda, Shivrajpur, and Vadeck.

On 2nd February, they attacked Rajgadh police station, killing three people and looting money and weapons. On 5th February, they defeated the army of the Chhota Udepur state. Despite casualties on both sides, their confidence grew.

On 4th February 1868, they attacked the British post at Jambughoda. Their assault was so fierce that the local officer could not step out of his office. Even with modern guns, British forces struggled against traditional weapons like bows and swords.

After their victory, the tribals threw government records symbolizing their slavery into a well. Locals began believing that British rule had ended and Joriya’s rule had begun.

Alarmed, the British mobilized around 1,100 troops from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Pune, along with local forces.

Joriya decided to attack first. His duplicate led an attack at Shivrajpur, but the British cleverly pretended fear and trapped them. Eleven tribal warriors, including the duplicate, were killed.

On 16th February 1868, in the early hours of the morning, a force of 1,100 soldiers led by British officers launched an attack on Vadeck, the land of action of Joriya Parmeshwar. But how could Joriya retreat at the first sign of danger? He placed a metal dish (tansali) under his turban, wore a rhinoceros-hide shield on his chest, and began the battle wielding two swords. Alongside him, the Nayak warriors also entered the battlefield. Fighting with a do-or-die spirit, they killed many British and native soldiers. However, the British had unleashed overwhelming force, like an army swarming over ants.

They positioned their troops across the hills surrounding Vadek, completely encircling the area. Joriya’s experienced eyes quickly realized that they could not withstand a prolonged fight under such tight siege. With a silent exchange of glances and the resolve that “if we survive, we will fight again,” Joriya and the Nayak warriors withdrew from Vadek. As they left, British Major Barton ordered the village to be set on fire. Hundreds of torches were hurled onto Vadek, and soon the entire place was engulfed in roaring flames.

Soon after, Joriya and his companions were captured alive. This marked the end of the Nayak rebellions.

The British wasted no time. A special court in Jambughoda sentenced Joriya Parmeshwar, Rup Singh Nayak, Galal Nayak, and others to Hanged till death . Twenty-three were given life imprisonment, while others received 3–7 years of harsh imprisonment. This was one of the harshest collective punishments in history of Colonial Gujarat.

Joriya was executed and became a martyr. Despite his bravery, he remains a forgotten figure in Gujarat’s history. There are no major memorials in his honor.

However, in 2012, then Chief Minister Narendra Modi named a primary school in his village after him—Joriya Parmeshwar Primary School and named of the Government College of Jambu ghoda.

Even today, this great tribal revolutionary has not received the recognition he deserves. One may wonder—was his identity as a tribal the reason he was forgotten from the pages of mainstream history?