16-07-2025
Bank holiday on July 17: Banks are closed on Thursday - Check where & why
Bank holidays 2025: All the public and private banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI) in Meghalaya will be closed due to death anniversary of Indian freedom fighter and chiefs of the Khasi people in the early 19th century, U Tirot Sing on Thursday, July 17, according to the state-wise holiday calendar of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The banks in the rest of the country will remain open today, July 17, 2025.
Who was U Triot Sing?
U Tirot Sing Syiem, popularly known as the hero of the Khasi Hills, was born in 1802 into the ruling Syimileh (Chief) clan in the Nongkhlaw area of the Khasi Hills. He is remembered for his bravery, smart battle strategies, and his strong stand against British control in the region.
After the Anglo-Burmese War, the Treaty of Yandabo was signed, giving the British a way into the Brahmaputra Valley. But what happened next? Why did this period after the treaty lead to another war?
The story takes us back to the 19th century, when the British finally gained access to the Brahmaputra valley. David Scott, a British officer, was looking for a route to connect Assam and the Surma Valley to boost trade. The proposed route, around 230 km long, would pass through present-day Meghalaya. Back then, Meghalaya was made up of smaller kingdoms, each led by local chiefs chosen by tradition. One such chief was U Tirot Sing Syiem, the leader of Nongkhlaw. A forward-thinking ruler, Tirot was always working for the betterment of his people. When he heard about the British plan, he believed it would benefit his community and gave his permission.
However, things changed in early 1829. According to historian Edward Gait in his book The History of Assam, a local worker informed Tirot Sing that the British had secret plans. He warned that once the road was complete, the British would impose taxes and take control of their land. Alarmed by this, Tirot Sing called a meeting (durbar) with David Scott and other British officials, where he expressed his concerns and asked them to leave Nongkhlaw. The British ignored his request, which angered the Khasis, who felt betrayed.
As per Prof. P. N. Dutta's book Glimpses into the History of Assam, on 8 April 1829, Tirot Sing led an attack on a small group of British officers and killed them. This marked the start of the Anglo-Khasi War, which lasted for four years. Tirot Sing and his people fought the British forces using guerrilla warfare—fighting with swords, arrows, and clever tactics against the British guns.
Eventually, Tirot Sing was forced to surrender on 9 January 1833. He was taken to Dhaka, where he was kept in Dhaka Central Jail. He died there on July 17, 1835 while still in custody.
Today, the Tirot Sing Caves in the Mairang area of Meghalaya are a popular tourist spot. These caves were used by Tirot Sing for secret meetings and hiding from the British. A visit to the caves offers a glimpse into the freedom struggle of that era.
Every year, 17 July is observed as U Tirot Singh Day in Meghalaya to honour his legacy. In 1954, a memorial was built in his memory at the junction of the Shillong-Mairang-Nongstoin and Nongkhlaw-Mairang roads, marking the land of this great warrior.
RBI's Bank Holiday List for July 2025
The RBI issues a monthly bank holiday list that reflects the diversity of Indian states and their cultural events. July 2025 includes 13 bank holidays, including national weekends, religious festivals, and regional events. Below is a state-wise bank holiday list for July:
State-wise Bank Holidays in July 2025
July 17 (Friday) – U Tirot Sing death anniversary: Banks closed in Meghalaya
July 5 (Saturday) – Guru Hargobind Ji's Birthday: Banks closed in Jammu and Srinagar
July 17 (Monday) – Beh Deinkhlam: Banks closed in Shillong (Meghalaya)
July 16 (Wednesday) – Harela: Banks closed in Dehradun (Uttarakhand)
July 17 (Thursday) – U Tirot Singh Death Anniversary: Banks closed in Shillong (Meghalaya)
July 19 (Saturday) – Ker Puja: Banks closed in Agartala (Meghalaya)
July 28 (Monday) – Drukpa Tshe-zi: Banks closed in Gangtok (Sikkim)
Regular Weekend Bank Holidays in July 2025
Apart from regional festivals, banks across the country will also be closed on weekends. Here's the weekend holiday schedule:
Second Saturday – July 12
Fourth Saturday – July 26
Sundays – July 6, 13, 20, 27
On these dates, all public and private sector banks will remain closed throughout India.
For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
