Archive for the ‘Rebellion Blog’ Category
March 21, 1857
Today Sir Hugh Rose arrived at the outskirts of Janis. We got information that he carried out an extensive reconnaissance of the town. It took him more than nine hours to gather all the information. So he knows now that there are 11,000 nationalists inside the city.
The Rani has been moving about at lightning speed, overseeing all the arrangements for battle. She has taken every conceivable step for the defence of the city keeping it in a high state of alert.
The British are flabbergasted by her flair for military leadership. She knows instinctively the right course to pursue far better than most of the other leaders.
Author Subedar Gautam Gupta
March 18, 1857
Siege of Kotah continues.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 10, 1857
Guilty of treason against what? British weren’t the sovereign during the uprising!
The prosecutor Harriott accused the King of complicity in the murders and of participation in a conspiracy to revolt.
After 21 days of fanciful mockery of a trial, the court found him guilty. In a terse finding, the court said:
The Court, on the evidence before them, are of opinion that the Prisoner Muhammad Bahadur Shah, Ex-King of Delhi, is guilty of all and every charges preferred against him.
We hear that the John Lawrence, chief comissioner for Punjab, might recommend transportation ovrseas of the ex-king.
At least the king and Zeenat Mahal’s life has been spared.
If I didn’t have Zhansi on my mind, I would talk about why this trial made absolute no sense; but we will leave that for another time.
There is a lot to be done and the king wouldn’t want us to waste a minute thinking about his wellbeing and not focus on defeating the firangis.
This is the latest picture we have of the king.
See you at Zhansi - I know the king is with us in spirit.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 7, 1857
Location of players during the Jhansi Run.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 26, 1857
The letter by Jhansi ki Rani to raja of Banpur.
To Shri Maharaj Kuma, Shri Maharaja Dhiraj, Shri Raaj Mardan Singh Bahadur, Rani Laxmibat says that she wishes that your news is good. The news here is good. And your letter, carried by Dularelal, has arrived and thus I came to know of your state of affairs. You wrote that you are engaged in the preparation of the army/troops. That pleased my heart. Our opinion is that there ought not to be rule of foreigners in Bharat/India. And I have great confidence/trust/faith in you. And we are preparing our troops/forces. It is very important to fight the English. Please write and let us know your news. Date,place.(Samvat 1914, Camp Jhansi).
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 22, 1857
All eyes are toward Jhansi!
comparatively it is a small place, it is surrounded by other kingdoms that are, let’s just say, not very friendly, but there is still some hope that Jhansi might be able to beat the British.
Here are some of the reasons:
(i) Rani Laxmi Bai, is a very inspiring leader and people in Jhansi respect her.
(ii) Jhansi has spent almost all of the last decade fighting against either the Orchha or some other neighboring state and has known how to survive long wars.
(iii) Many of the soldiers in Jhasni are mutineers from the last year and they know that surrender means death by canons.
(iv) Jhasni has British rule and there is a great resentment that the British did not follow the traditions and customs of the land.
(v) As a mother, Laxmi Bai knows that this is her last chance to secure a future for her (adopted) son.
We are all praying for her and ready to help her in any way we can.
At this rate, expect the British to reach Jhansi by March 7 or March 9.
Since there are no British to be rescued, chances are they will take their time and reach Jhansi a little after March 12th - that’s my guess.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 20, 1857
We have some very sad news to report. Raja Nahar Singh has hanged to death on January 9, 1858
Raja Nahar Singh was the ruler of the small state of Ballabhgarh (Faridabad). Nahar Singh was a strong supporter of Hindu-muslim unity to fight “goras”.
Nahar Singh tried to bring together all the neighboring rulers, especially Begum Samaroo of Gurgaon, Nawabs of Jhajjar, Farrukh Nagar and Rewari. He organised a secret’ meeting in the fort of Mukteshwar.
At the time of Kartik mela in 1857 which was attended, among others by Tatya Tope. Emperor Bahadur Shah 11 had appointed Raja Nahar Slngh as the Internal Administrator of Delhi.
Raja Nahar Singh had tirelessly organised the neighbouring princes and chieftains during the uprising.
He was caputred by deceit and trickery by British - so what is new?
Funny thing is that British chose 9th January because it was Nahar Singh’s birthday!
The rajah came and stood near the hanging gibbet. Accompanying the Raja were three trusted companions - Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh. These four heroes from Ballabhgarh, guilty of the crime of patriotism and serving their country, stood side by side on the hangman’s platform.
The people of Delhi were watching this heart-breaking scene with grief and sadness. On Raja Nahar Singh’s countenance there was no dullness, but a glow that troubled the enemy and cast a shadow on their faces. The time set for the hanging arrived, and Hudson lowered his head and asked the Raja for his last wish.
The Raja replied firmly ” I have nothing to ask of you. You may tell this to these fearful onlookers, that my message is that I am leaving a spark among you, never let it go out. The honour of our nation is now in your hands”. Hudson advised the Rajah that he could not convey this message to the onlookers.
We saluate you Raja Nahar Singh, Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh!
Here is another Picture of Raja Nahar Singh:
An arial view of the palace of the King is:
We will always remember your bravery, Raja Nahar Singh.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 19, 1857
A letter from Gopal Rao, record keeper of Jhansi, to major Erskine dated 16 Jan 1858
The most important news is that Nana Saheb has a vakil in Jhansi and the Queen of Jhansi has one in Kalpi as well. The Queen has complete arrangements for the reception of Nana Saheb’s family members in Jhansi. Both the King of Banpur and Nana Saheb have decided Jhansi is their final refuge.
Lala Dulkara, the army commander to the King of Banpur, was feeling solitary and insecure in Sagar. So, the King of Banpur arranged for a portion of the Gwalior Contingent to be sent there. He had already sent over some soldiers to Sagar under the leadership of Sadar Ali and Muhammad Ali. The rest of the Banpur troops, three to four thousand gun-bearing soldiers and two cannons were placed in Jhansi. Only 1300 of them are fully armed.
The Queen of Jhansi is paying the Banpur King 500 rupees a month while he fills up his own treasury by looting the rich moneylenders and shopkeepers. These shopkeepers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the British. The Queen is always incredulous about British advances - whoever has said the British won at Kanpur has been punished by the Queen.
…
Military preparations are being made in Jhansi around the clock.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 18, 1857
None of us have had the good fortune to actually see the Queen, Rani Laxmi Bai, in person. We hear of her bravery, her intelligence and her bravery.
John Lang, an attorney was traveling in India met with the Rani laxmi Bai in 1854. This is how he described her.
I had heard from the vakeel that the Ranee was a very handsome woman, of about six or seven and twenty years of age, and I was very curious indeed to get a glimpse of her; and whether it was by accident, or by design on the Ranee’s part, I know not, my curiosity was gratified.
The curtain was drawn aside by the little boy (the prince), and I had a good view of the lady. It was only for a moment, it is true still I saw her sufficiently to be able to describe her. She was a woman of about the middle size - rather stout, but not too stout. Her face must have been very handsome when she was younger, and even now had many charms - though, according to my idea of beauty, it was too round.
The expression also was very good, and very intelligent. The eyes were particularly fine, and the nose very delicately shaped. She was not very fair, though she was far from black.
She had no ornaments, strange to say, upon her person, except a pair of gold ear-rings. Her dress was a plain white muslin, so fine in texture, and drawn about her in such a way, and so tightly, that the outline of her figure was plainly discernible - and a remarkably fine figure she had.
What spoilt her was her voice, which was something between a whine and a croak. When the purdah was drawn aside, she was, or affected to be, very much annoyed; I but, presently she laughed, and good-humouredly expressed a hope that, a sight of her had not lessened my sympathy with her sufferings nor prejudiced her cause.
I hope and I pray that one day, she will rule all of India.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 16, 1857
here is a map of the fort of Jhansi and the queen’s palace.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 13, 1857
Just to give you an idea of the relative locations of different cities:
The areas that we have lost and where Sepoy blood has been shed are marked in red.
The distance between Sagar and Jhansi is about 150 miles, 75 kos.
At the speed the British are moving, they will arrive in Jhansi sometime in early March of 1858.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 12, 1857
A trial with the charge of treason is being conducted against Bahadur Shah Zafar.
It started on 9th January and not sure how long will it continue.
Here is a current picture of the king
At least he has his hookah with him and Zeenat Mahal is with him.
It is kind of strange that British are trying him for “treason”; treason against what? British are not and were never were sovereign in Delhi and there can be no treason!
Oh well, we have bigger things to worry about now.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 12, 1857
The defenders of Garhakota came out determined to fight but were intimidated when they found the fort blockaded by the British.-the fiasco at Rahatgarh was fresh in their minds and they did not wish to meet with the same fate.
And, ultimately it was the fear for their line of retreat that made the nationalists abandon the fort and escape.
The nationalists, after evacuating Garhakota headed towards Maraura (murwara), another strong fort in Bundelkhand.
February 12, 1857
Henry Rose is almost at the Garhakota fort; here is a map showing the fort compared to Sagar or Saugor as British call it!
We do not have enough resources to stop him, but we can slow him down a bit and hopefully Jhansi will get a little more time to prepare.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 11, 1857
The fort of Garhakota is situated at the confluence of Sunar and Gadhari rivers which wash its outer walls on two sides. On the other sides, except the east, it is surrounded by thick forest. This fort was of exceptional strength - its walls built of stone are 29 feet high and 15 to 24 feet in thickness.
This evening Rose arrived at Garhakota, 25 miles (40 kilometres) east of Sagar and laid siege.
Author Subedar Gautam Gupta
February 10, 1857
Bundelkhand is a geographic region of central India. The major towns are Gwalior, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Datia, Lalitpur, Sagar, Damoh, Orai, Panna, Mahoba, Banda Narsinghpur and Chhatarpur.
The nationalist movement is the strongest near Sagar, Jhansi and Gwalior.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 10, 1857
Most Britishers are focused on the “prize money”, i.e., a portion of the loot that he will get after plundering central India. How pathetic!
And they call themselves “civilized”.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 3, 1857
This morning Rose entered Sagar and “liberated” 370 Europeans, including men, women and children who had been confined in the fort of Sagar since June 29, 1857.
The town was very crowded with people and the sepoys of 31st BNI who had not mutinied were seen sauntering about the town. Though the occupation of Sagar by the British led to opening of the road to the west and north, we still held the forts of Sanoda and Garhakota to the east. Rose can make no movement towards Jhansi till he has captured these two forts particularly Garhakota which is strongly held by the Bundelkhandis and garrisoned by the sepoys of 52nd BNI and other regiments that have revolted.
Author Subedar Gautam Gupta
February 2, 1857
Garhkota fort is securely located between two rivers (Sunar and Gadhari). Above is a birds-eye view of the fort of Garhkota.
It is not a large fort but it is solid and secure. Hopefully it will provide some protection from the British.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
January 31, 1857
We were determined to try our best to prevent, or at least endanger, the British advance to Sagar. Our strategy would be to take Rahatgarh and cut off supplies going to the British camp from Scindia and the state of Bhopal.
It is obvious that Sir Hugh was aware of this danger, for he left behind Brigadier Steuart with a small force at Rahatgarh, and himself marched to Barodia with 8 guns, 14th Light Dragoons, 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry , and a detachment of Hyderabad Contingent. The nationalists defended their position with great gallantry, but were overcome by the superior fire power of the British. In this engagement, Pathans and Vilaitees fought with undaunted courage and determination— even during the dying throes they would often spring up from the ground and inflicting mortal wounds on the enemy with their broad swords, before falling down dead. But all this was of no avail-nationalists were defeated.
The survivors retreated to Kurai. In this grim encounter, Anant Singh, the ablest military leader on the nationalist’s side was killed and Mardan Singh, the Raja of Banpur and an inveterate enemy of the British was wounded.
The victory was a crucial one for the British. The road to Sagar and Jhansi was now wide open to them unobstructed and three strong places Krulassa, Nariali and Kursi , which had been with the natioinalists for the last eight months, were now in British hands.
The map above shows the Kurai (Khurai) compared to Sagar and Rahatgarh.
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