Baji Rout – The Youngest Martyr of India Honoured in Rajkilpakkam

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At the heart of the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir school campus in Rajkilpakkam locality of Chennai stands a solemn and inspiring bust of Baji Rout, a name that deserves to be remembered by every Indian. His statue, sculpted with a youthful yet defiant expression, reminds every passerby that courage knows no age.

Born on 5 October 1926 in Nilakanthapur, in the princely state of Dhenkanal (now in Odisha), Baji Rout was the youngest son of Hari Rout and Rania Devi. Orphaned of his father at a young age, Baji was raised in poverty. His mother earned a living by grinding and husking paddy. With two elder brothers barely making ends meet, formal education was never an option for Baji. Yet, what he lacked in resources, he made up for in patriotism.



At just 12 years old, Baji joined the Banar Sena (Monkey Brigade) of the Prajamandal movement, a grassroots resistance group fighting against the repressive princely rule allied with British interests. His role was simple yet dangerous: keeping watch near the Brahmani River at night.

On the night of 11 October 1938, British police ordered Baji to ferry them across the river. Baji flatly refused. His resistance wasn’t symbolic—it was fatal. He was shot dead on the spot by the Indian Imperial Police, becoming the youngest martyr of India’s freedom movement.

His body was taken in a procession to Cuttack, where he was cremated at Satichaura Ghat, a place etched in India’s revolutionary history. His sacrifice sent ripples of shock and admiration across the country.

In his honour, India continues to remember Baji Rout—not only through statues like the one here in Rajkilpakkam, but also through initiatives like the Baji Rout Cup, a national football tournament launched in 2022 by the Union Education Minister to commemorate his bravery.

This modest yet moving statue stands not just as a tribute to a brave boy, but as a reminder to all students and visitors that age is no barrier to heroism—and that freedom was built not only by known leaders, but also by young hearts who chose to stand up when it mattered most.

Happy travelling.


Location: Rajakilpakkam, Tirusulam, Chennai, St.Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram, Tamil Nadu 600117, India

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