Sabitri Chakrabarty

Sabitri Chakrabarty
Born	1871
Died	1940 Independent India
Other names	Savitri Devi
Known for	sheltering Chittagong armoury raid revolutionaries
Movement	Indian independence movement
Spouse	Nabin Chakrabarty
Children	Ramkrishna Chakrabarty (son) Snehalata Chakrabarty (daughter)

Savitri Chakrabarty Devi (1871–1940) was an unsung revolutionary figure from Dhalghat, Chittagong, who gained prominence by sheltering freedom fighters such as Surya Sen, Pritilata Waddedar, Nirmal Sen, and Apurba Sen following the Jalalabad War of 1930. On 13 June 1932, her house was raided, leading to a violent encounter that resulted in the death of British officer Captain Cameron and two revolutionaries. Savitri and her son, Ramkrishna, were arrested and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. Ramkrishna died of untreated tuberculosis in jail. Savitri’s sacrifice remains a poignant story of resistance during India’s freedom struggle.

Family background

Savitri Chakrabarty was born in the village of Motpara, located in present-day Patiya Upazila, Chittagong. She was married to Nabin Chakrabarty of Dhalghat village. The couple had two children: a daughter named Snehalata and a son named Ramkrishna Chakrabarty. Shortly after the birth of their second child, Nabin Chakrabarty died of Cholera.

Sheltering revolutionaries

During the period surrounding the Chittagong armoury raid in 1930, Savitri Chakrabarty played a significant role in supporting revolutionary activities. She provided shelter to the revolutionary leader Masterda Surya Sen, one of the principal figures behind the raid. Several of his close associates, including Nirmal Sen, Apurba Sen, and Pritilata Waddedar, also took refuge in her home while evading British authorities.

Before their attempted assassination of Inspector General of Police Mr. Craig, revolutionaries Ramakrishna Biswas and Kalipada Chakrabarty were also sheltered by Savitri Devi.

Dhalghat encounter and arrest

Savitri Chakrabarty’s residence was a two-story building where Surya Sen and Nirmal Sen lived on the upper floor. From 11 June 1932, Pritilata Waddedar also began residing there. On the evening of 12 June 1932, around 9 p.m., Surya Sen, Nirmal Sen, Apurba Sen (alias Bhola), and Pritilata Waddedar were having dinner at Chakrabarty’s home when her daughter Snehalata discreetly alerted them to the approach of military forces.

The military surrounded the house, leading to a fierce gun battle between the revolutionaries and the troops. Captain Cameron was killed during the exchange of fire. Nirmal Sen and Apurba Sen were killed in the encounter. Amid the chaos, Surya Sen and Pritilata Waddedar managed to escape.

As a consequence of sheltering Surya Sen and his associates, Savitri Devi and her son Ramkrishna Chakrabarty were sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and classified as third-class prisoners. Despite her daughter Snehalata acting as a crown approver, authorities were unable to obtain any confession from Savitri or Ramkrishna.

Imprisonment and harrasment

Savitri Chakrabarty and her son were incarcerated in Midnapore Central Jail. Ramkrishna, suffering from tuberculosis, received minimal medical care. His legs were reportedly shackled with iron chains, worsening his condition. The jail hospital was known for severe neglect and cruelty.

The jail superintendent, Mr. Kataria, was noted for harsh treatment of prisoners. Savitri’s repeated requests to visit her ailing son were denied.

While imprisoned, Ramkrishna was classified as a Division III prisoner and forced to perform hard labor at the "kolur ghani" (mustard oil press). The physical strain and harsh conditions aggravated his tuberculosis, leading to his death within two months.

Savitri Chakrabarty described the torture and harassment endured in prison:

“The wicked men come politely And sit close to you; They extract words by giving threats And take away your life at the end.”

Even after her release, Savitri continued to face hardship and harassment from police. Her unwavering respect for Surya Sen remained a source of strength, enabling her to silently endure her suffering.

The sacrifices of revolutionaries like Surya Sen laid the foundation for independent India, with supporters such as Savitri Chakrabarty and Ramkrishna standing steadfast behind them.

Legacy

According to Kalpana Dutta’s Chittagong Raiders Reminiscences, upon entering the female ward of Midnapore Central Jail, she encountered Savitri Chakrabarty, a dark-complexioned, middle-aged widow whose face and limbs were disfigured with tumors. Despite poor health and the psychological toll of torture, Chakrabarty remained courageous and mentally strong. She warned Dutta against cooperating with police and reciting a poem reflecting on police coercion.

Chakrabarty was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment alongside her son. Denied permission to meet him for six months, she was only allowed a visit a week before his death. Due to financial constraints and jail restrictions on telegram charges, no relative could secure his release. Ramkrishna expressed concern to his mother about dying alone and urged her to avoid quarrels after his death.

Despite neglect and hardship from relatives and villagers after her release, Chakrabarty remained defiant, demanding basic rights in jail and showing steadfast commitment to the freedom movement. She joined a local Nari Samiti branch but lived in poverty, surviving on charity and occasional assistance from comrades.

Though not politically literate in ideologies like Communism, she strongly supported the activists’ cause for Indian independence movement. Her patriotism and resilience made her an enduring figure in the struggle.

See also

• Pritilata Waddedar

• Surya Sen

• Nirmal Sen (independence activist)

• Ramkrishna Chakrabarty

External links

Chittagong's Greatest Revolutionary Hero: Surjya Sen (Archived)

Surya Sen in Banglapedia