The Memorial for Freedom Fighters of Esuru
The Esuru village in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka is said to be the first village to declare independence in 1942. After declaring its independence, it established its own “Prati Sarkar” or provincial government. The residents here refused to pay taxes to the British and were prepared to face the backlash from the British. They even displayed a board “Swaraj Sarkar” and hoisted the tricolour. The British officials reacted aggressively to this act of defiance and sent troops to reclaim the village. It resulted in a bloody riot. The revenue officer was killed, five youths were hanged, and several hundred people were imprisoned.
Today, there is a memorial constructed in memory of the freedom fighters at Esuru.
The declaration of independence by Esuru should be seen in the light of the Quit India Movement. The Quit India resolution demanded the immediate end of British rule in India and the formation of provincial governments after the departure of the British. The driving force behind the Quit India Movement was the realisation that it was no longer possible to rule India without taking into consideration the wishes of the Indians. The uprising at Esuru resonated with the pan-India Quit India Movement.
Source: https://indianculture.gov.in/