Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, paid homage to Peshwa Nana Saheb on the revolutionary leader's punyatithi (death anniversary), hailing him as a symbol of national pride, courage, and resistance against colonial rule.

Posting on X, Chief Minister Choudhary wrote: 'महान क्रांतिवीर एवं वीरशिरोमणि पेशवा बाजीराव नाना साहेब जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें शत्-शत् नमन।' — translated as: 'Heartfelt salutations to the great revolutionary and supreme brave Peshwa Bajirao Nana Saheb on his death anniversary.' He added that Nana Saheb's 'indomitable spirit of national self-respect, courage, and struggle will always remain an inspiration,' and that his dedication to the motherland and legacy of valour 'will remain a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.'

Context

Nana Saheb Peshwa — born Dhondu Pant and adopted son of the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II — was one of the foremost leaders of the 1857 revolt against British rule. He led the uprising in Kanpur (Cawnpore) and became a defining symbol of indigenous resistance to colonial authority. Following the suppression of the revolt, Nana Saheb disappeared and was never captured by British forces; he is venerated as a martyr and freedom fighter across India.

His exact date of death remains a matter of historical dispute, as no definitive record of his fate after 1857 has been established. The punyatithi observed by public figures is a commemorative tradition rather than a historically confirmed date.

Policy Backdrop

Tributes to leaders of the 1857 revolt have been a consistent feature of BJP leaders' public communications, foregrounding narratives of indigenous resistance and national pride. In 2007, on the 150th anniversary of the revolt, the central government and BJP-led state governments organised nationwide commemorations highlighting figures including Nana Saheb.

Chief Minister Choudhary's tribute follows this established pattern, positioning pre-independence military and political leaders as touchstones of national identity. Bihar, as a state with deep historical connections to India's independence movement, regularly sees such commemorations from its political leadership.

Stakeholders and Impact

Such public tributes are directed primarily at Indian youth and the broader citizenry, reinforcing awareness of lesser-celebrated figures from the 1857 uprising. Educational institutions and cultural organisations in Bihar and across India often use such occasions to organise seminars, essay competitions, and awareness programmes centred on revolt-era leaders.

The tribute also signals the Bihar government's alignment with a broader national narrative that frames the 1857 revolt as India's first war of independence — a characterisation that carries significant political and pedagogical weight.

What's Next

With the 170th anniversary of the 1857 revolt approaching in 2027, state governments and the central government are expected to ramp up commemorative events, curriculum references, and cultural programmes honouring revolt leaders including Nana Saheb. Bihar may announce state-level events or educational initiatives in the run-up to that milestone, consistent with the pattern seen during the 150th anniversary in 2007.