Kale Khan was a Sufi saint, and the area in Delhi was named after him. The location, originally called Sarai Kale Khan Chowk, has now been renamed Birsa Munda Chowk.
On Friday, November 15, 2024, the central government renamed the Sarai Kale Khan ISBT Chowk in Delhi to Birsa Munda Chowk. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced this on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter and popular leader, Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Who was Kale Khan?
Kale Khan was a Sufi saint, and the area in Delhi was named after him. The region falls under the South East Delhi district. The areas surrounding Sarai Kale Khan include Nizamuddin, Jangpura, Khizrabad, Jangpura Extension, and Lajpat Nagar.
The term ‘Sarai’ refers to places where travelers would stop and rest. When people traveled to Delhi, they would take a break here before continuing their journey. The name ‘Kale Khan’ was added to ‘Sarai’ in his honor. Kale Khan was a 14th-century Sufi saint who lived during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. His tomb is located near the Indira Gandhi Airport area.In addition, during the time of Aurangzeb, there was another prominent figure named Kale Khan. He was a senior general under Aurangzeb and participated in several wars alongside him.
People will draw inspiration from Birsa Munda’s life – Manohar Lal KhattarOn the occasion of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar declared that the large square near the ISBT bus stand would be named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. This renaming will not only allow Delhi residents but the entire country to find inspiration from his statue and his legacy.
Who was Birsa Munda?
Birsa Munda was a prominent tribal leader and freedom fighter from Jharkhand in the 19th century. He was born in 1875 in the Khunti district of Jharkhand and belonged to the Munda tribe. Birsa Munda fought against the British government to protect the rights of tribal people and led the tribal revolt in Jharkhand.
Birsa Munda died in British custody at the young age of 25. He is remembered for his leadership in the rebellion against the British.On Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Modi also paid tribute to him. In a post on the social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “Bhagwan Birsa Munda sacrificed everything for the glory and honor of the motherland. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him on his birth anniversary – the Tribal Pride Day.”
