Manrakhan Sonar was born on 8 June 1917, in the Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, to Shri Lallu Sonar. He studied upto the secondary level. Like many others in the region, Manrakhan was deeply inspired by the Jungle Satyagraha of 1930, which ignited his passion for India’s independence movement. He soon became an active participant in the national freedom struggle.
In 1940, during the Individual Satyagraha, Manrakhan joined a group of patriots emerging from his village to support the cause. However, his most prominent role came to the fore during the Quit India Movement, which began on 8 August 1942. Manrakhan Sonar became a Satyagrahi, travelling from village to village, spreading the message of resistance and leading local processions against British colonial rule.
His bold actions, including delivering speeches against the British Empire and raising anti-war slogans, drew the attention of authorities. He was arrested and charged under Section 129(2) of Defense of India Rules (DIR) and Section 26(1). As a result, Manrakhan was sentenced to one year and three months of imprisonment in the Raipur Jail.
Despite his imprisonment, the dedication of Manrakhan Sonar to the cause of Indian independence never wavered. His contributions, along with those of countless other freedom fighters, played a crucial role in the eventual liberation of India from colonial rule. Manrakhan Sonar's story stands as a testament to the courage and perseverance of the many unsung heroes of India's freedom movement.
Name Mentioned of sr.no. 43 in the list of Freedom Fighters in Mahasamund District.
Source: Pankaj Singh Rajput, Contributor for CCRT.