Baji Rout


Baji Rout is the youngest Indian martyr, having been killed at the age of twelve. He was born on 5 October, 1926. Rout, who was a boat boy, was shot by British police when he refused to ferry them across the Brahmani River on the night of 11 October 1938 at Nilakanthapur Ghat, Bhuban, Dhenkanal district.
Baji Rout was the youngest son of a boatman on the Brahmani river. As an active member of the Banar Sena of Prajamandal, he had volunteered to keep watch by the river at night. The British Police force ordered him to cross the river by his boat which he denied. The police force then fired upon Baji Rout along with Laxman Mallik and Fagu Sahoo.

Baji Rout Samman

In memory of the youngest martyr of India, Utkala Cultural Association at IIT Bombay honors one Odia youth with 'Baji Rout Samman' each year on Utkala Divasa as an emerging talent in different fields like arts, science, social work, entrepreneurship etc. Miss. Sniti Mishra was honored with 'Baji Rout Samman' for the year 2016 for her achievements in music industry.
List of recipients
This Hindi short film on Baji Rout titled : "Baji Rout:India's youngest freedom fighter", has been made by a group of students, directed by Riyyan Farooq and Diksha Nayak, produced by Candid Cinema. 15 September 2018.