Contents show
Course of Revolt
- The revolt begins as mutiny in Barrackpore near Calcutta when Mangal Pandey a sepoy of 34th regiment refused to use the greased cartridge and shot down his officer on 29th March, 1857.
- He was executed and the Barrackpore infantry was transported and disbanded when this news spread. The sepoys of other regiments started mutinies.
- May 9th Cavalry regiment’s 85 sepoys were refused and resulted in sentenced for 10 years in Meerut Prison.
- May 10th, 3rd Cavalry’s sepoys openly revolted by swarming the prison and release their comrades.
- The 3rd Cavalry along with 11th and 20th native infantries murdered some English officers and marched to Delhi and reached there on 11th
- They killed Europeans, seized that city and proclaimed Bahadur Shah – II as emperor that is Shahin Shah-e-Hindustan.
- Bahadur Shah wrote letters to all the chiefs willingly or compelled by soldiers to join the revolt.
- He became the Traditional Symbol of Unity.
- Soon the revolt spread throughout Northern and Central India at Lucknow, Allahabad, Kanpur, Banaras, Bihar, Jhansi and other parts.
- Entire army of Bengal soon rose in revolt which spread Awadh, Rohilkand, Doab, Bandelkand.
- Along with soldiers and rulers, common people also participated with axes, arrows and Muskets.
- Many Zaminders and Talukders also joined with rebels & they supplied money, food and ammunition to the rebels.
Suppression of the revolt
Delhi
- Bahadur Shah – II was a nominal head and the real control of Delhi was under General Bakht Khan.
- Delhi was recaptured by General John Nicholson on 20 September, 1857.
- Bahadur Shah – II was arrested and deported to Rangoon and where he died in 1862.
- Thus the Great Mughal Empire was completely ended in India.
- General Bakht Khan went to Lucknow for fighting and he died on 3 May, 1859.
Kanpur
- Nana Sahib the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao – II who was refused for the Peshwa title, Pension and banished from Poona became the leader of Kanpur rebellion.
- He acknowledged Bahadur Shah – II as his emperor and declared himself as Peshwa.
- He expelled Englishmen from Kanpur and he murdered women, children and English officers. It is known as Kanpur Massacre.
- The next day of Massacre Nana Sahib defeated by Captain Henry Havelock.
- James Neill, the English Colonel took terrible vengeance and those whom he regarded as guilty were executed brutally.
- Nana Saheb escaped to Bengal and in November Tantia Tope captured Kanpur but it was soon recovered by Campbell.
James Neill Statue Satyagraha:
- James Neill killed in street fight at Lucknow during 1857 revolt suppression.
- British government built a statue of Neil in Chennai Mount road to commemorate his service.
- In 1927 Madras Mahajana Sabha and Chennai Committee of Indian National congress passed a resolution to remove the statue.
- The Satyagraha was initially led by S.N.Somaiyajulu but after his arrest Kamarajar took the leadership.
- Mahatma Gandhiji gave his support when he visited Chennai.
- The Satyagraha soon dropped to make way for the Simon Commission Boycott.
- The women Satyagrahi who arrested in the protest was Anjalaiyammal.
- In 1937 the statue was removed by C.Rajaji when he became the Chief Minister.