Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 3, 2026

Amrita Devi

Amrita Devi known as Amrita Devi Bishnoiwas an environmentalist from the Bishnoi community who sacrificed her life in 1730 to protect Khejri trees. Her bravery in the Khejarli massacre became the ultimate symbol of nature conservation and inspired modern movements like the Chipko Movement.

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Jun 3, 2026
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Amrita Devi
Born1700-1702
Died11 September 1730 (Aged 28-30)
Known forenvironmental martyr Khejarli massacre

Amrita Devi known as Amrita Devi Bishnoi12was an environmentalist from the Bishnoi community who sacrificed her life in 1730 to protect Khejri trees.34 Her bravery in the Khejarli massacre5 became the ultimate symbol of nature conservation and inspired modern movements like the Chipko Movement.678

Khejarli massacre

The Khejarli massacre was an event in 1730 in Rajasthan where 363 Bishnoi people were killed while peacefully protecting Khejri trees.9 Led by Amrita Devi Bishnoi, the villagers hugged the trees to prevent them from being felled by the soldiers of Maharaja Abhai Singh of Marwar.10

A memorial Commemorating 363 Bishnois died for saving Green Trees. source ↗

Legacy and honours

The Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award was established by the Government of India. The award honours individuals or communities for significant contributions to wildlife protection.11121314

References

References

  1. "9 Reasons To Know Amrita Devi Bishnoi". www.indiatoday.in. 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  2. Sahapedia (2020-09-10). "When Amrita Devi and 362 Bishnois sacrificed their lives for the Khejri tree". Feminism in India. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  3. "Khejri, the tree that inspired Chipko movement, is dying a slow death". The Indian Express. 2016-12-04. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  4. AR, Reshmi (2026-03-07). "The Forgotten Roots of India's Eco Feminism". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  5. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1997. ISBN 978-81-85297-68-2.
  6. "The Bishnois, India's original environmentalists, who inspired the Chipko movement". Ecologise. 2017-05-28. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  7. "Bishnoi villagers sacrifice lives to save trees, 1730 | Global Nonviolent Action Database". nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  8. "The Bishnoi: India's First Environmentalists". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  9. "Chipko Movement". Tottenham Trees. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  10. Mukul, Sushim (2024-10-18). "When 300 Bishnois sacrificed their lives to save trees from a maharaja". India Today. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  11. "Jairam Ramesh announces Amrita Devi and Gaura Devi awards for environment protection". www.thehindu.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  12. "Remembering Amrita's sacrifice". The Tribune. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  13. "Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the Khejri". Azim Premji University. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  14. "National Forest Martyrs Day 2020: Why we observe this day on Sept 11 every year and how it started". The Daily Jagran. Retrieved 2026-04-11.