Most people know Mahendra Mishra (or Misir) as a noted folk singer from the region, credited with popularising the Poorvi genre of Bhojpuri music, which also includes Kajri, Baramasa, Jatsaar and Chait, popular in parts of Bihar and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state.

But few are aware that Mishra also ran a clandestine operation in the first half of the 20th century, printing fake currency notes to fund the freedom fighters leading the struggle for India's independence from the British colonial rulers.

Mishra started printing fake currency notes around 1915 to fund the revolutionaries from Bihar and Kolkata, and aid their efforts to liberate India.

"He was selfless and didn't use any of the money for himself, else he would have been living in a mansion of silver. He left behind no bank balance, no assets. It explains why his family still lives in a modest house and survives on the meagre income generated from agriculture," Ajay adds.

Mishra continued to print fake currency notes for nearly four years until the British got wind of his clandestine activities.

To read the complete article, see:
Indian folk icon who also printed fake notes to fight the British(https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/indian-folk-icon-printed-fake-money-fight-british-200707103800167.html)