Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo
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Pravir, King of Bastar (Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo 25 June 1929 - 25 March 1966) was the first Oriya ruler and 20th Maharaja of Bastar who was killed in 1966 by then congress government of Madhya Pradesh for championing the cause of his subjects. He fought for rights of the tribal people.
The Kakatiya ruler of Bastar he was adored by his subjects. He worked for them who in turn called him God. He was born in 25th June 1929 and was educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur. He succeeded to throne on 28th October 1936. He was immensely popular among his people. Thus he was perceived a threat by the then ruling congress people.
On March 25 ,1966 he was killed in police firing in his own palace at Jagdalpur along with many of the royal court. Officially the death toll was twelve including the king and wounded were twenty; the police had fired sixty one rounds.