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.
