During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Ghazipur district witnessed one of the major confrontations with British authority at Mohammadabad Tahsil. The movement in the area was particularly strong in Sherpur, a village predominantly inhabited by middle peasants of the Bhumihar caste.

Shiv Poojan Rai, a B.Sc. student and amateur homoeopath, emerged as one of the leading figures of the local movement. He organised village youth and helped spread the programme of the Quit India Movement to neighbouring villages. On 18 August 1942, he inspired a large crowd to move towards the Mohammadabad Tahsil with the objective of capturing the tahsil building.

Leading the crowd while shouting slogans, Shiv Poojan Rai attempted to capture the Tahsil building when the police opened fire. He was killed in the firing, along with several other protesters. The source records that eight people were killed and around ten were seriously injured in the incident.

Shiv Poojan Rai is remembered as the leader of the Ashta Shaheed (Eight Martyrs) of Mohammadabad, who sacrificed their lives during the Quit India Movement. The Mohammadabad episode remains an important example of the mass resistance against British rule in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Ashta Shaheed of Mohammadabad