Jarhu Kalar, born in 1916 in Sambalpur village, Balod district, was the son of Chainsingh, a farmer who also cultivated vegetables. He received his basic education locally. In his youth, Jarhu Kalar witnessed the oppression of landlords that plagued his village, making agricultural work arduous for farmers. Inspired by the farmers' movement led by Wali Mohammad and supported by Narsingh Prasad Agarwal in 1937, Kalar joined the cause along with others from Sambalpur and nearby villages.
When the landlords collaborated with British authorities to suppress dissent, they prohibited villagers from accessing the forest for resources, ing regional leaders to devise counter-strategies. During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Kalar emerged as a key figure, organizing rallies and meetings against British rule. His activism led to his arrest in 1939, witnessed by his family and friends, who were also detained. Sentenced to three months of hard labor in Raipur Central jail, Kalar endured the hardships with resilience.
Upon his release, Kalar returned to agricultural pursuits, resilient in his commitment to local empowerment. His steadfast dedication to the cause of farmers and independence marked him as a courageous advocate in the struggle against colonial rule.
List of satyagrahis who participated in the Jungle Satyagraha in 1942, issued by the National Archives, New Delhi.
Source: Tikeshwar Prasad Gajpal, Contributor for CCRT.