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Chintaram Tikariha (1880 – 21 November 1982) was an Indian agriculturalist, Strongman, philanthropist and social worker. Besides his contributions to the development of rural area he also donated land and money for construction of schools. He was also widely known in the local community for his numerous physical feats.

Early life
Tikariha was born in 1880 at village Budgahan, Central Provinces, British India. His father, Dauaram Tikariha, was an affluent landowner. In 1910 he married. He was succeeded by four sons and a daughter.

Agricultural reforms
In 1900s Tikariha pained by poor state of agriculture in his native region embarked on a nationwide tour. Accompanied by fellow former freedom fighter Salik Chandrawanshi he went across India studying various forms of agriculture. He brought back valuable agricultural know-how and introduced many farming techniques previously unknown to the cultivators of the region. The introduction of wet rice cultivation to central Chhattisgarh was a direct result of his efforts.

Physical feats
Tikariha was renowned for his remarkable displays of physical prowess. It is reported that he was capable of lifting an adult bull onto his shoulders and carrying it for a distance exceeding 500 meters. His contemporaries recall instances where he effortlessly extracted wooden cartwheels from mud with his bare hands, a feat that even his bull could not accomplish. On another occasion, when a large tree trunk had fallen onto the road, obstructing his path, he alighted from his cart and single-handedly moved it aside. In yet another demonstration of his strength, when four guests were about to depart without accepting his offer for a meal, they discovered that their car was unable to move forward. Upon inspection, they observed that Tikariha had lifted the rear wheels of the car a few inches off the ground.

In 1935, while trekking to Bihar, Tikariha encountered a massive rock that had fallen onto the road due to a landslide. He lifted the rock and moved it aside, and as a gesture of gratitude, the locals inscribed his name on the rock. The rock remained in its place for several decades until it was relocated in 1990 due to a construction project. In the same year, he is said to have lifted a 14-foot-long rock and positioned it vertically, his name and the date were written on it, serving as a testament to his physical strength. According to eyewitness accounts, during the construction of a temple in the village of Turturia, Tikariha lifted rocks weighing over 500 kilograms and transported them to the construction site. Additionally, during the construction of his house in the 1940s, he carried 22-foot-long poles that would have required over ten people to lift.

Philanthropy
Tikariha has undertaken the commissioning of numerous temples, with the most notable among them being the one situated in Turturia. This temple was erected in the year 1970 and has since become a renowned tourist attraction. Additionally, he has generously donated his residence to a school and has taken it upon himself to provide employment opportunities for daily wage laborers in the vicinity of his village, at his own personal expense. Furthermore, he has been known to extend financial assistance to underprivileged children and has been actively involved in providing aid to the destitute during times of famine and floods. In addition to this, he has also been instrumental in providing free medical treatment to those in need. He also paid for the ceremonial expenses (marriages etc) of the underprivileged families who otherwise could not afford it. No one ever returned empty handed from his doors.

Legacy
Although possessing great wealth, he led a modest lifestyle, earning admiration from from people, who referred to him as 'Babu ji" with reverence. Even presently, the mere mention of village Bidgahan evokes his name in the minds of people. His accomplishments continue to be recounted even in the neighboring villages, and his reputation extends beyond his place of origin. The tales of his deeds has orally passed down to the generations by his beneficiaries. He remains a prominent figure and a widely known name in the Kurmi community.

Films

 * In 2023 a long form documentary on him, made by filmmaker S Anshu Dhurandhar, was released digitally. The docufilm contained testimonies of over 100 people and featured video messages and remarks from various leading figures from the Kurmi community including Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The film remains the only documented primary source on the life of Tikariha.

Books

 * Chintaram Tikariha's biography was published in 2023. It was authored by S Anshu Dhurandhar.