Rajasthan

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Here are detailed notes on the 1857 Revolution in Rajasthan, drawing on the information provided in the sources:

Introduction The 1857 Revolt in Rajasthan was a significant uprising against British rule, influenced by the broader Indian Rebellion of 1857. The princely states of Rajasthan had executed treaties with the British, gaining freedom from Maratha anarchy and ensuring safety from external powers. However, the British increasingly interfered in the internal affairs of these states, leading to discontent among rulers and the general populace.

Causes of the Revolt in Rajasthan Several factors contributed to the outbreak of the revolt in Rajasthan:

  • Political Causes:
    • The British policy of interfering in the internal affairs of princely states created resentment among the rulers, whose condition became similar to feudal lords under the British East India Company.
    • The refusal of pension to Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, fueled anger.
    • The Doctrine of Lapse policy also caused dissatisfaction.
  • Socio-Religious Causes:
    • British social reforms such as widow remarriage, abolition of Sati, education for girls, and the activities of Christian missionaries were perceived as interference in traditional customs and religion.
    • The introduction of the Enfield Rifle and the rumor that its cartridges were greased with animal fat (cow and pig) sparked outrage among both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
    • New inventions like railways and telegraphs, and the spread of western education were also seen by some as threats to their traditional way of life.

Beginning and Spread of the Revolution in Rajasthan

  • The pan-India symbols of the revolt were 'Lotus' and 'Roti'.
  • Nasirabad was the first place in Rajasthan where the revolt began on May 28, 1857.
    • News of the Meerut revolt reached the Agent to the Governor General (A.G.G.) George Lawrence, who sent the 15th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) from Ajmer to Nasirabad, ironically increasing the soldiers' dissatisfaction.
    • Soldiers of the 15th Bengal Native Infantry revolted, killing British officers Colonel Newbury and Major Spottiswood.
    • The 30th Native Infantry also joined the revolt, and after burning and capturing the cantonment, the soldiers left for Delhi.
    • Merwara Lancers took responsibility for protecting British officers and their families in Nasirabad.
  • The revolt reached Neemach on June 3, 1857.
    • Military officer Colonel Abbot made soldiers swear an oath of loyalty on June 2nd. During this event, cavalry soldier Ali Baig protested against the British breaking their oath in Awadh.
    • The Neemach soldiers revolted, burned the cantonment, and headed for Delhi via Chittor, Hammirgarh, Baneda, and Shahpura, joining other revolutionaries.
    • They killed the wife and children of a British Sargent. Remaining British officials were given shelter by Maharana of Udaipur in Jagmandir Palace.
    • British forces, including those from Mewar, Kota, and Bundi, regained control of Neemach on June 8th, 1857.
  • Erinpura Cantonment saw a revolt by the Jodhpur Legion on August 23, 1857, led by Moti Khan, Subedar Shital Prasad, and Tilak Ram.
    • They used the slogan ‘Chalo Delhi, Maro Firangi’ (Let's go to Delhi, kill the foreigners) and marched towards Delhi.
    • A battalion of the Jodhpur Legion also arrived at Mount Abu on August 21st, 1857.
  • In Dholpur, rebel soldiers from Gwalior and Indore arrived in October 1857 and, with local rebels led by Rao Ramchandra and Hiralal, pressured the Dholpur ruler for artillery.
    • Around 1000 rebels fled to Agra with the Maharana's guns and attacked Agra.
    • The rule was re-established with help from Patiala forces.
  • Auwa became a significant center of resistance.
    • The Thakur of Auwa, Kushal Singh, played a key role.
    • The Jodhpur Legion revolted here as well.
    • The forces of A.G.G. George Patrick Lawrence were defeated near Auwa at Chelawas on September 18, 1857. This battle is also known as the 'Battle of Gora-Kala'.
    • Captain Mackmosan, the Political Agent of Marwar, was killed in Auwa.
    • Thakur Kushal Singh, after the fall of Auwa, was given shelter by Kesari Singh of Salumbar.
  • Kota also saw significant rebellion where the royal army and common people struggled against the British.
    • Major Burton, the Political Agent of Kota, was killed on October 15, 1857.
    • Jaidayal Bhatnagar and Mehrab Khan were key organizers of the revolt in Kota.
    • Mohammed Khan, a Risaldar in the Kota army, fought against the Maharao, who supported the British.
    • Nabi Sher Khan also played an important role in the rebellion of the Kota army.
    • Sardar Ali participated in the attack on the Kota Agency House.
    • The revolt in Kota began on October 15, 1857.
    • Karauli state sent its army to help the King of Kota.
  • Tantiya Tope, a loyal servant of Baji Rao Peshwa, entered Rajasthan with rebels from Gwalior.
    • He was supported by the forces of the Nawab of Tonk under Wajir Khan.
    • He met Prince Firoj near Banswara and Mewar.
    • He advanced towards Jaipur via Alwar but was defeated by Colonel Holmes near Sikar.
    • He then moved towards Mewar via Bundi but was defeated by General Abraham Roberts near Bhilwara.

Role of Princely States The rulers of the princely states in Rajasthan largely supported the British during the revolt:

  • Maharana Sardarsingh of Udaipur was the first to help the British.
  • Maharaja Ramsingh of Jaipur helped the British wholeheartedly.
  • Maharaja Takhat Singh of Jodhpur was the ruler during the revolt.
  • Maharao of Kota, Ramsingh II, was supported by Karauli against the rebels.
  • Maharaja of Bikaner was the only ruler who went out of Rajasthan to help the British.
  • Maharana of Mewar provided shelter to fleeing British officials.
  • Shahpura gave refuge to rebellious soldiers from Neemuch and even arranged rations for them, refusing to open city gates to the British Political Agent of Mewar, Captain Shawers.
  • Tonk's Nawab Vajiruddaula initially supported Tantiya Tope but later ordered the arrest of his own uncle, Mir Alam Khan, who openly opposed the British and led the rebel army.

Important Revolutionaries of Rajasthan Several individuals played crucial roles in the 1857 Revolt in Rajasthan:

  • Dungarji and Jawaharji (uncle and nephew) were renowned patriots from the Sikar region who robbed wealthy persons to help the poor and fought against the British.
  • Kesari Singh Rawat of Salumbar provided weapons, food, and shelter to rebels, including Thakur Kushal Singh and Tantiya Tope.
  • Amarchand Bathiya of Bikaner was the first martyr from Rajasthan to be hanged during the revolt. He offered to donate his property to Tantiya Tope and is called the "second Bhamashah of Rajasthan".
  • Mir Alam Khan, the uncle of the Nawab of Tonk, openly opposed the British and led rebel forces before being martyred.
  • Rawat Jodhsingh of Kothariya (Mewar) helped and sheltered Thakur Kushal Singh and Tantiya Tope.
  • Jaidayal Bhatnagar of Kota was a key organizer of the revolt there.
  • Mehrab Khan, a Risaldar from Kota, worked with Jaidayal to incite rebellion.
  • Bhairosingh Jodha of Gerao (Jodhpur) fought against General Lawrence's army and was martyred.
  • Heerasingh fought against the British during rebel attacks and died fighting the Maharao's army.
  • Jiyalal of Nimbahera (Chittorgarh) organized rebel battalions and fought to protect Chittorgarh before being arrested and shot.
  • Nabi Sher Khan played a vital role in the Kota army's rebellion.
  • Munuvvar Khan, a sepoy from Tonk, was martyred fighting the British.
  • Mohammed Khan, a Risaldar from Kota, fought against the pro-British Maharao and was executed.
  • Sardar Ali participated in the attack on the Kota Agency House.
  • Shakti Dan Thakur of Asab fought against General Lawrence at Auwa and died in prison.

Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt in Rajasthan Several factors contributed to the suppression of the revolt in Rajasthan:

  • Support of Princely Rulers to the British: The lack of support, and often active opposition, from the local rulers weakened the rebels. Lord Canning acknowledged the rulers' help as crucial in preventing a complete British defeat.
  • Lack of Leadership: The rebels lacked a unified and able leader at the state level. John Lawrence noted that a single capable leader among the rebels could have led to a British loss.
  • Lack of Effective Command: The rebels lacked efficient military commanders.
  • Limited Resources: The rebels had fewer resources (wealth, food, weapons) compared to the well-equipped British forces.
  • Limited Spread: The revolt did not spread throughout the entire state but was confined to certain areas like Nasirabad, Neemach, Kota, Erinpura, Jodhpur, and Dholpur.
  • Lack of Coordination: The rebellions in different centers were not effectively coordinated.
  • Strategic Missteps: The Nasirabad rebels directly went to Delhi. Had they instead focused on capturing the armory at Ajmer, the outcome might have been different.

Timeline of Revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan (Key Dates from Source)

  • May 10, 1857: Sepoy Revolt started in Meerut (India).
  • May 19, 1857: Karauli sent army to protect King of Kota.
  • May 19, 1857: British commanded Rajput Kings to prepare to suppress the revolt.
  • May 21, 1857: Rebellion started at Erinpura.
  • May 23, 1857: A.G.G. Rajputana Colonel Lawrence asked for help from Rajput Kings.
  • May 28, 1857: Two battalions in Nasirabad Cantonment started rebellion.
  • May 31, 1857: Bharatpur army started mutiny.
  • June 2, 1857: Neemach military officer forced soldiers to take oath of loyalty.
  • June 3, 1857: Rebellions arrived at Nimbhera after destroying Neemuch Cantonment.
  • June 8, 1857: Britishers regained control of Neemuch Cantonment.
  • July 11, 1857: Rebellions of Neemuch and Nasirabad attacked Alwar state army.
  • August 21, 1857: One battalion of Jodhpur Legion arrived at Mount Abu.
  • August 23, 1857: Jodhpur Legion revolted at Erinpura.
  • September 18, 1857: Forces of A.G.G. George Patrick Lawrence defeated at Chelawas near Auwa.
  • October 1857: Rebels from Gwalior and Indore reached Dholpur.
  • October 15, 1857: Revolt began in Kota; Political Agent Major Burton killed.

British Rajput Agreement After the revolt, the British further consolidated their control. The source mentions that on June 27, 1803, Governor General Lord Wellesley decided to guarantee the freedom of Rajasthan. It also notes that by 1818 A.D., princely states of Rajasthan started signing treaties with the British. These treaties initially provided relief from external threats but gradually led to increased British interference.

Conclusion The 1857 Revolution in Rajasthan, though ultimately unsuccessful, was a significant event that highlighted the resistance against British rule. It involved various sections of society, from sepoys and nobles to common people, and produced notable heroes who stood up against colonial power. The failure of the revolt led to further strengthening of British control over the region.