SugarIndustry – Ramkola’s Remarkable Journey From Village Sugar Mills to Sacred Dham
SugarIndustry – Ramkola, located in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, carries a fascinating legacy that blends local history, agriculture, and spirituality. What began centuries ago as a quiet village gradually evolved into a place recognized across the region. From hosting an unusual Bhagwat Katha to becoming a hub of sugar production and later a spiritual destination, Ramkola’s story reflects many layers of social and cultural transformation.
Early Roots and the Unfinished Bhagwat Katha Tradition
Long before India gained independence, Ramkola existed as a small village under the influence of powerful local landlords. Historical accounts suggest that the zamindars of the area once held extensive landholdings that stretched far beyond the village boundaries. During that era, the landlords organized a Bhagwat Katha, a religious storytelling event that traditionally lasts several days.
The responsibility of narrating the scripture was given to a priest from the neighboring village of Manderay. However, the event soon took an unusual turn. Many villagers who arrived late insisted that the priest begin the story again from the start so they would not miss any part of the narration. Respecting their requests, the priest repeatedly restarted the discourse.
As more people arrived late and made similar demands, the same pattern continued. What was originally intended to conclude within eight days extended endlessly. Weeks passed, yet the story remained stuck in its opening chapters because the priest kept repeating the beginning for newly arriving listeners.
Tragic End to the Event and Land Donation
Eventually, the priest grew exhausted and frustrated with the situation. According to local accounts, he left the gathering and fled from the village. When people began searching for him, it is believed he climbed a tree and jumped in desperation, which resulted in his death.
The incident deeply affected the landlords who had organized the religious event. To compensate the priest’s family, they donated around 700 acres of land in Manderay village. Even today, descendants of that family are said to live in the settlement that developed on the donated land. Because the Bhagwat Katha never reached its conclusion, it became a memorable local legend often referred to as Ramkola’s never-ending scripture story.
Emergence of Sugar Mills and Economic Identity
Decades later, Ramkola gained prominence for an entirely different reason. During the early 1930s, the village witnessed the establishment of major sugar mills, which significantly changed the region’s economy.
In 1930–31, industrialist Kedar Nath Khetan set up the Khetan Sugar Mill in Ramkola. Just a year later, in 1932, another factory named The Ramkola Sugar Mill Company was founded by Bal Mukund Shah Sahni. At the time, it was considered remarkable that two sugar mills were operating within a single village.
These factories brought employment opportunities and boosted sugarcane cultivation in surrounding areas. Because of this rare concentration of industry, Ramkola earned recognition across Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country as a notable center for sugar production.
Farmers’ Movement Brought National Attention
Ramkola again entered the spotlight in 1992 when sugarcane farmers launched a protest over pending payments for their crops. The agitation was led by farmer leader Radheshyam Singh and drew participation from a large number of cultivators.
After nearly three weeks of demonstrations, tensions escalated and police firing occurred during the protest. Legal cases were subsequently filed against Singh and dozens of farmers. Many of them spent several months in jail. The incident attracted attention from political leaders and organizations across the state, bringing Ramkola into national discussion once again.
From Village to Ramkola Dham
In later years, the spiritual identity of the town strengthened with the construction of the Anusuya Temple. A resident of Ramkola who had reportedly performed long spiritual practices at Anusuya returned and inspired the establishment of a temple dedicated to the same deity.
The temple’s construction was later carried forward by his disciples, who developed the site into an impressive place of worship. As the temple gained popularity, devotees from different parts of the state began visiting Ramkola regularly.
Every year on the occasion of Guru Purnima, a large community feast is organized at the temple complex, drawing a significant gathering of followers. Because of the temple’s growing religious importance, Ramkola gradually began to be referred to as Ramkola Dham.
Today, the town stands as a place where history, agriculture, social movements, and spiritual traditions intersect, giving Ramkola a unique identity within eastern Uttar Pradesh.