Tamralipta, which is now known in its shortened form as Tamluk, a seaport city in the district of Midnapore in West Bengal, has always carved a special niche in Indian history, not simply as a center of Buddhism and Sanskrit learning in the ancient period, but also as an epicenter of the national liberation struggle in modem India. When Gandhiji launched the "Quit India Movement" in 1942, Tamluk and Contai, two subdivisions of the Midnapore district, took a pioneering lead to spearhead the struggle and established a National Government “Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar”, on 17th December 1942. This government lasted till it was dissolved in obedience to the direction of Gandhiji on 8th August 1944. This national government in the Tamluk subdivision was formed by a dictator aided by several ministers. It was a sort of parallel government, which had completely overthrown the civil government of the British by dispensing justice, maintaining peace and security, and helping the poor and the distressed. For all practical purposes, this national government was the de facto authority if not the de jure one, enjoying the "habitual obedience" of the people. Tamluk occupied a glorious position experiencing a mass upsurge "incomparable with anything in past history", and contributing its mite "to kindle a fire all over the country".
Tamralipta Swadhinata Sangram Ithihas Committee was formed in 1981-82 to collect and preserve the papers pertaining to the long anti-imperial tradition manifested in the national movement in Midnapore District in West Bengal. The main leaders of the Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar were Satish Chandra Samanta, Sushil Kumar Dhara, Ajoy Mukherjee and Matangini Hazra.
His leadership qualities could be observed during the formation of a parallel government named Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar (Tamrlipta National Government) in Tamluk during the Quit India Movement. This body was formed on 17 December 1942 and Samanta, looked after its functioning until his arrest in June 1943. It lasted till September 1944. It undertook cyclone relief work, gave grants to schools, and organized an armed Vidyut Vahini.
Ajoy Mukherjee
Matangini Hazara
Satis Chandra Samanta
Source: Nehru Memorial Museum & Library Manuscript Section.