Roopa’s temple

MAN SINGH had become a legendary figure in his own lifetime. He had shown somewhat opposing personal traits. He was ruthless and God-fearing and he was tyrannical yet magnanimous. In contemporary times, Chambal valley has come to be identified with the name of Man Singh. His career had provided a kind of romantic aura to the otherwise inglorious vocation of dacoity. Till the time of his elimination, he had built up an impressive record—his gang, it was estimated, had committed some 1,112 dacoities, 185 murders and collected about Rs. 500,000 as ransom; it had braved some 90 encounters with the police, killing 32 policemen, including those put to death defenselessly outside encounters, and losing 15 of its own members.

Man Singh was born at the close of the 19th century in a Kshatriya family in a village in southern Agra. His family developed some row with a Brahmin family in the village, which gradually assumed serious proportions. As a consequence, in 1928, Man Singh with some other members of his family killed two persons related to the rival Brahmin family. Following this ghastly event, he, his brother, his nephew and his eldest son absconded and took to the ravines. He himself after some time was arrested and sentenced for life. He was, however, released from jail in 1939. But continuing the bloody family feud had become his life mission. He was shrewd and farsighted. He had built a formidable gang. The gang membership usually ranged between a manageable 8 to 10, restricted to his own kith and kin with some conspicuous exceptions. He encouraged and helped the formation of several small bandit-gangs—a measure that cumulatively unleashed terror upon the inhabitants and thwarted the police efforts. His gang members used to receive training in handling weapons and sported khaki uniform. He also took advantage of the bustle of the war and acquired automatic rifles .303 rifles hand-grenades binoculars and the like.

His depredations became so alarming that in 1945, apart from the police, the Army troops were also deployed, but without much avail. In the valley, the idea gained currency that the gang was invincible. Man Singh, as a matter of fact, encouraged it. He started adjudicating small disputes in villages, and occasionally helped the needy. When the country attained Independence and a general pardon was announced, for a brief spell, he returned to his village with a great show of pomp. The inhabitants bestowed upon him the honorific address of ‘Raja Man Singh.’ But the impulse of the old blood feud soon made him restless. He did some more killings, and fled to the ravines afresh. His right-hand man, Roopa, and other members escaped but Man Singh and his son Subedar Singh were killed on the spot.

Roopa became the leader of the gang after Man Singh was shot dead. He did a good deal to perpetuate the Man Singh legend. In fact, in certain respects, he was found to be a step ahead of his infamous predecessor.

Roop Narain Sharma alias Roopa was born in a small village in Agra. His father was reported to have cultivated friendship with Man Singh in jail in 1928. As a child, he was stated to be of violent temperament. During his childhood, he had an occasion to experience rude police behaviour. For a brief period, he did receive schooling. However, he joined the gang of Man Singh at an early age and, in no time, he became one of his principal lieutenants.

After the initial confusion, following the fall of Man Singh, was over, Roopa reassembled the gang. He reorganised and enlarged the gang with a difference— it was more ferocious and more merciless. During the independent career of about five years, Roopa and his gang were credited with some 200 murders. He was killed in an encounter in 1959. (Sources: Official records of the M.P.Govt.; U.P. AOPR).