Raghunath Mahato

Raghunath Mahato (21 March 1738 – 5 April 1778) was an Indian revolutionary, one of the main leaders of the Chuar Rebellion from the Kudmi Mahato community. He led a revolt against the East India Company in 1769.

Overview
Raghunath Mahato was born on 21 March 1738 in Ghutiadih (Butparsa Ghutiadih) village of Nimdih block of Seraikela Kharsawan district.

The Rebellion against British was known as Chuar Rebellion. Chuar means looter. When British started to collect taxes in 1765 when they won Battle of Buxar and got rights to collect taxes from Bihar and Bengal. But people opposed it as People thought British were depriving their rights. Some zamindars joined British while other rebelled against them. In 1769, Raghunath Mahato led Kudmi Mahato people against British. His slogan was:"... 'Apan Gaon, Apan Raij; Dhur Kheda British Raij'." When British asked the zamindars about identity of rebels, zamindars said the rebellious people are Chuar means looter, thieves, nasty people, barbarian, uncivilized, and arrogant. The people who rebelled were belongs to many ethnic groups such as Kudmi Mahato,   Bhumij, Bagdi, Bauri, and others.

On 5 April 1778, Raghunath Mahato and his team who were planning to snatch weapons from British forces in the forest. In this skirmish Raghunath Mahato and several other rebels died fighting British forces.