Author:

Arun Krishna Ghosh
Research scholar
Department of History
University of North Bengal
Darjeelin,West Benal,India

Email: histarun442428@gmail.com

Abstract:: From 1920 to 1946, Gandhi was the leader of leaders in Indian national movement. But
Gandhiji often became a supernatural figure throughout the freedom struggle in subaltern
consciousness. Thousands of rumours about him encouraged the illiterate and uneducated rural
tribals. It gave them the confidence to stand up to the bullets of the British police. There are many
instances all over India where stories of miraculous unreal events spread in Gandhi’s name. Several
examples of such rumors are also found in the northern districts of Bengal i.e. Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling,
Dinajpur, and Malda, where Gandhi was worshipped not as a leader but as a Divine. Gandhi became
larger than life. Gandhian philosophy, his ideology dimmed in front of rumors. His non-violence faded
away due to his so-called divine powers. The trinals sacrificed their lives in ambush. The blind faith
in Gandhi, and the overwhelming faith in his divine powers, gave strength to the marginal folk in the
anti-colonial National movement. Rumors made Gandhi incarnate. Rumors without being true gave
rise to true events in the national struggle. This article attempts to reveal the incidents in North
Bengal where the subaltern’s faith in Gandhi paved the way for anti-British nationalism during 1920-
1935. At the same time, an attempt has also been made to find out the truth of how these rumors
mobilized the subalterns and inspired them in the national movement.

Key Words:: Adina,Gandhi cap, Gandhiraj, Madarihat, Malda, propaganda,Santal,etc.