Major Durga Malla (Aged 31) was born in July 1913 in Doiwala, near Dehradun, into a Khas Thakuri/Chhetri family of Indian Gorkhas. He was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. He was the first Gorkha soldier from the Indian Gorkhas, a Khas ethnic group, to sacrifice his life for the cause of the Indian independence movement.
When Mahatma Gandhi was leading the countrymen for independence through the Dandi March in 1930, Malla was a student in class nine. Although he was young, he caught everyone’s attention with his outbursts in public against the British. In 1931, at 18 years old, he moved to Dharamshala and enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles. His patriotism brought him closer to the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
In 1942, Malla joined the INA. His devotion to duty, coupled with other skills, elevated him to the rank of Major in INA, and he was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at Kohima on 27 March 1944. The Court of Trial at Red Fort, New Delhi gave him a death sentence. However, before the death sentence was finally executed, the authorities tried to coerce Major Durga Malla into admitting to sedition. His wife was brought to the prison cell, but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.
“I am offering this sacrifice, which will not go in vain. India will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of Hindustanis are with you,” Malla told his wife. Those were his last words to his wife.
Malla married Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar, Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh in 1941. Just three days after their marriage, Malla was recalled to his headquarters and directed to go abroad. He next met his wife only before his hanging at Delhi District Jail. In 1944, Major Durga Malla was sent to the gallows.
In 2004, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiled a statue called Malla, which was donated by Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, a national organization representing Indian Gorkhas, at the Parliament House Complex to honor Malla. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, and other dignitaries were in attendance. Gorkhas throughout India commemorate Balidan Diwas, also known as Martyrs’ Day, on August 25, the day of Malla’s execution.
Durga Malla
(1913 – 1944) – (Jharkhand)
Major Durga Malla (Aged 31) was born in July 1913 in Doiwala, near Dehradun, into a Khas Thakuri/Chhetri family of Indian Gorkhas. He was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. He was the first Gorkha soldier from the Indian Gorkhas, a Khas ethnic group, to sacrifice his life for the cause of the Indian independence movement.
When Mahatma Gandhi was leading the countrymen for independence through the Dandi March in 1930, Malla was a student in class nine. Although he was young, he caught everyone’s attention with his outbursts in public against the British. In 1931, at 18 years old, he moved to Dharamshala and enrolled in 2/1 Gorkha Rifles. His patriotism brought him closer to the Indian National Army of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
In 1942, Malla joined the INA. His devotion to duty, coupled with other skills, elevated him to the rank of Major in INA, and he was asked to work in the intelligence wing of the INA. When he was collecting information about the enemy camps, he was caught in action at Kohima on 27 March 1944. The Court of Trial at Red Fort, New Delhi gave him a death sentence. However, before the death sentence was finally executed, the authorities tried to coerce Major Durga Malla into admitting to sedition. His wife was brought to the prison cell, but Malla did not succumb to the pressure.
“I am offering this sacrifice, which will not go in vain. India will be free. I am confident. This is only a matter of time, Sharda! Don’t worry, crores of Hindustanis are with you,” Malla told his wife. Those were his last words to his wife.
Malla married Sharda Malla of Shyam Nagar, Dharamshala, in Himachal Pradesh in 1941. Just three days after their marriage, Malla was recalled to his headquarters and directed to go abroad. He next met his wife only before his hanging at Delhi District Jail. In 1944, Major Durga Malla was sent to the gallows.
In 2004, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiled a statue called Malla, which was donated by Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, a national organization representing Indian Gorkhas, at the Parliament House Complex to honor Malla. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, and other dignitaries were in attendance. Gorkhas throughout India commemorate Balidan Diwas, also known as Martyrs’ Day, on August 25, the day of Malla’s execution.
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