In the year 1730, Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur (in modern-day Rajasthan, India) ordered the felling of khejri trees (Persian mesquite) in the village of Khejarli to provide wood for a new palace.
The Bishnoi community, who considered these trees sacred, resisted the king’s men. Led by Amrita Devi, a brave Bishnoi woman, the villagers hugged the trees, refusing to let them be cut down.
The king’s men, under the command of Minister Giridhar Bhandari, showed no mercy, killing Amrita Devi and her three daughters, Asu, Ratni, and Bhagu. This brutal act sparked a wave of defiance, with more Bishnois coming forward to hug the trees. In total, 363 Bishnois sacrificed their lives in protection of the khejri trees.
When Maharaja Abhay Singh learned of the massacre, he was filled with remorse. He immediately ordered a halt to the tree felling and issued a royal decree, engraved on a copper plate, prohibiting the cutting of trees and hunting of animals in Bishnoi villages. This decree remains in effect to this day, serving as a testament to the Bishnoi community’s dedication to environmental conservation.
The Bishnoi community was founded by Guru Jambheshwar, also known as Jambhoji, in 1485 AD. They are a Hindu Vaishnava community primarily residing in the Western Thar Desert and northern states of India, with a significant presence in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.
They follow 29 principles (Bish = 20, noi = 9) given by their founder, which emphasise social ethics, environmental conservation and personal hygiene.
Core Principles and Practices
- Environmental Conservation: Bishnois believe in protecting all living beings and preserving the natural balance. They strictly prohibit cutting green trees, killing animals, and polluting water bodies
- Wildlife Protection: They consider trees and wildlife sacred and have been known to risk their lives to protect them
- Animal Care: Bishnois run community-based animal care centres and have a special bond with animals, particularly the blackbuck antelope. Bishnoi women even breastfeed orphaned fawn, showcasing their compassion towards animals
- Community Life: Bishnois prioritise community living, social responsibility and mutual support
- Simple Living: Bishnois live in eco-friendly houses made of mud and cow dung, practice organic farming, and avoid using firewood that harms insects or trees
- Funeral Practices: Unlike traditional Hindu cremation practices, Bishnois bury their dead to avoid cutting trees for firewood
The Bishnoi community’s dedication to environmental conservation and wildlife protection has earned them recognition as India’s original environmentalists. The Khejarli Massacre has inspired numerous environmental movements, including the Chipko Movement in the 1970s. Their principles and practices serve as an inspiration for sustainable living and eco-friendly practices, making them a vital part of India’s cultural and ecological heritage.
Image: India Post issued a postage stamp featuring the khejri tree in 1988 on the occasion of the World Environment Day. Khejri (𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎) is the state tree of Rajasthan and is vital to the desert ecosystem, known for its resilience and importance to local communities. It is also the state tree of Uttar Pradesh (where it is known as chonkara) and Telangana (where it is known as jammi). The tree is highly revered among Hindus and worshipped during the festival of Dussehra.
Image: In Oct. 2015, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp featuring the black buck to mark the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit. The stamp was part of a set of commemorative stamps issued for the summit, which took place in New Delhi.