Revolt of 1857 in Chattisgarh:—
The revolt of 1857 is known by so many names, including the Indian Mutiny, the Sepoy Mutiny, the Revolt of 1857, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Insurrection, and First war of Indian Independence. By the first half of the 19th century, the East India Company had brought major portions of India under its control. One hundred years after the Battle of Plassey, anger against the unjust and oppressive British Government took the form of a revolt that shook the very foundations of British rule in India. While British historians called it the Sepoy Mutiny, Indian historians named it the Revolt of 1857 or the First War of Indian Independence. The Revolt of 1857 had been preceded by a series of disturbances in different parts of the country from the late eighteenth century onwards.
Causes of Revolt of 1857 in Chattisgarh:-
- The Enfield rifles were introduced in the army in which the cartridge was made by the fat of cow and pigs. And the Indian Muslim and Hindu soldiers were protesting against this.
- Discrimination was there between the Indian and British soldiers. Behavior towards Indian soldiers was very bad like the slave and even British soldiers use to behave very rudely with them.
- The British policies for the strict taxation on the land of India and the invasion of Territory of India.
- Fear of conversion of Hindu into Christians was there (Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of lapse)
- And some of the social reforms which were made by the Britishers was a reason for anger among some of the Indians.
Chhattisgarh took active part in the Revolt of 1857. The First war of independence in 1857 was spearheaded in Chhattisgarh by Vir Narain Singh who was a benevolent jamindar of Sonakhan. The British arrested him in 1856 for looting a trader’s grain stocks and distributing it amongst the poor in a severe famine year. In 1857 with the help of the solders of the British Army at Raipur, Vir Narain Singh escaped form prison. He reached Sonakhan and formed an army of 500 men. Under the leadership of Smith, a powerful British army was dispatched to crush the Sonakhan army. The British succeeded after a prolonged battle and Vir Narain Singh was arrested and later hanged on the 10th December, 1857. He became the first martyr from Chhattisgarh in the War of Independence. Vir Narain Singh’s martyrdom has been resurrected in the 1980’s and he has become a potent symbol of Chhattisgarhi pride.
Dhruvarao’s Revolt:-
Bastar was actively involved in the First Freedom Struggle of India in the year 1857. Bastar was an integral part of one of the earliest movements of independence. The southern part of Bastar acted as the pivotal point of the First Freedom Movement. Dhruvarao headed the movement and a battle was fought against the oppressive Rule of British. Dhruvarao belonged to one of the many Maria tribes that are found in the region in and around Bastar. The tribe in which Dhruvarao belonged to is known as Dorlaon. All his tribesmen and even people from other tribes supported him in this freedom. It was one of the main centers of the revolt and history will forever remember the name of Bastar for its contribution to the First Struggle for Freedom.
SURENDRASAI’S REVOLT
Born on January 23, 1809 in a village called Bargaon, about 30 km towards North of Sambalpur town in Kosal region.Sambalpur was imprtant state (Riyasat) of chhattisgarh that time. He was a direct descendant from the fourth Chouhan King of Sambalpur, Madhukar Sai and was therefore legally entitled to be the next king after the death of present king, Maharaja Sai. But the British government did not considered his claim and rebellion broke out between Surendra Sai along with other Zamindars and British government. He fought relentlessly against the Britishers for mother land until his last breath. He fought for 20 years and spent 37 years of his life inside prison, still he never bowed down before the Britishers. Surendra Sai was titled ‘Veer’ by people of Sambalpur for his heroic activities to save Sambalpur from the British rule. Veer Surendra Sai died on 23rd May 1884 in the prison of Asirgarh fort. But this valiant son of the soil would be remembered forever for his heroic activities.
UDAIPUR PRINCES REVOLT
Udaipur was a Riyasat in northern chhattisgarh. in 1852 EIC wrongly accused Ruler kalyan sai and his two brother shivraj singh & Dirajraj Singh for killing & They were prisoned in ranchi Jail. Udaipur Riyasat was mergerd in British empire. When Revolt of 1857 broke out in india , British was forced to leave ranchi. These Prices escaped from jail & sucessfull captured their kingdom. company force could not defeat these princes. so company seeked help from ruler of Raigarh Devnath singh and crushed the Revolt of 1857 in Chattisgarh.
MAGNIZE LASKAR HANUMAN SINGH REVOLT
He was Laskar magnize in Raipur battalian & known as mangal pandey of chhattisgarh.He was motivated by the movement & bravery of Veer Narayan singh. Along with his 17 commarades, he killed Sergent Mazor cidwell. & influenced Army camp for Revolt But due to lack of any organization They failed. His all commarades were cought and hanged but any how he succeced to escaped.
Reason for failure of Revolt of 1857 in Chattisgarh:-
- As the revolution first started from Meerut but later on it got spread over some parts of India but at that time communication was one of the major problems so this is one of the main reason for the failure of the revolution.
- A particular leader was not there, lack of central leadership was also a reason and also it didn’t get wide spread in whole India.
- As India became like the slave for Britishers so they were not having that much money and even weapons to fight against them. However, the Britishers were having the much-advanced type of weapons and also finance was good.
- The planning was lacking among the rebels.
Effects of the Revolt of 1857 in Chattisgarh:-
- In 1876, the East India Company’s power came to the end their rule was over taken and the whole charge or ruler ship was given to Queen Victoria.
- Assurance of better governance was given to India.
- And Declaration was made for no discrimination and equal respect and power should be given (though it was not so…).
- The Doctrine of Lapse was being withdrawn.