Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat

<<–2/”>a >h4>Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat

The revolt started in Gujarat initially in Ahmedabad by 7th batallion of army in June, 1857but it was curbed immediately. Incidents of revolt were seen in July month in areas of Panchmahal,Dahod, Jhalod and Godhra. With the help of common people, the soldiers captured the officesof the company but at the end they were defeated by government groups of soldiers. TheNaykada people of Panchmahal continued their revolt for almost one year.Against the backdrop of the rebellion in northern and central India, insurrection broke out in various parts of Gujarat. Some stray skirmishes took place against British rule in Ahmadabad, Dahod, and Godhra. Surajmal, the landlord of the area of Dakor in Kheda district claimed the throne of Lunawada and attacked Lunawada in July 1857 with the help of the charan landlord, named Kandas, of Pal village. A contingent of the East India Company’s army commanded by Major Andrews attacked Pal village and destroyed it. Kandas was arrested but Surajmal succeeded in escaping. The British authorities declared a prize of Rs 1000 for his arrest but Surajmal could not be apprehended. Nearly a thousand soldiers under Capt. Calling were stationed in Lunawada to keep the area under control. Subsequently the Kolis of Khanpur situated in the Lunawada area revolted in December 1857. British troops led by Capt. Buckle attacked Khanpur and burnt it down. In the Panchmahals district the tribal Nayakadas attacked the British army at Sankheda. This attack was led by RupaNaik and KewalNaik, both of whom had been encouraged to carry out this attack by BhausahebPawar. The tribal Nayakadas was defeated at JambuGhoda by colonial troops led by Capt. Bates. Ganpatrao, the representative of Bhausaheb, was arrested and Rupa and KewalNaik surrendered in March 1859.

ThakoreJivabhai of Khanpur (located close to Anand) was the first ruler in this region to assume the Leadership of the rebellion. Anand’sMukhi Patel Garbaddas and his fellowmen supported ThakoreJivabhai. They gathered an army of 2000 soldiers consisting of Kolis, Bhils, Nayakadas, Sibandi, etc. The British sent their troops from the princely state of Baroda. These troops harassed the people, looted crops and crushed the revolt. Jivabhai, the leader of the insurrection, was hanged. The British troops had encamped at LotiaBhagol of Anand. The young MukhiGarbaddas and his companions with a view to harassing the British army reached LotiaBhagol under the cover of darkness. They took away the arms of some of the soldiers, who were fast asleep, and cut the tails of some of their horses. They were able to escape, but the next day they were pursued, and captured in Khanpur. The rebels were tied to guns and blown up. As MukhiGarbaddas had gone to his native village of Asoj for his marriage, he could not be arrested at this time. Nevertheless, he was arrested a little later and sentenced to transportation for life in Andamans where he died later on. Besides, we have evidence of insurrections at numerous other places: at Chandup (near Idar), Vijapur and Mandetti in Mahikantha; at Nandool and Rajpipla in Rewakantha; and also at Bharuch, Khambat, Surat and Baroda.

MAJOR UPRISING

There was a major uprising in the Peninsular region of Gujarat. This region is called Saurashtra or Kathiawad. The peninsula of Saurashtra presented a conglomeration of 222 big and small princely states. In this region the most important rebellion was that of the Waghers of Okhamandal (comprising Dwarka, Bet, Okha). The Waghers had dominated the region till the Gaekwads established their rule in Okhamandal. Okhamandal continued to be a part of the Baroda state of the Gaekwads even after Baroda had accepted overall British supremacy. The Waghers looked upon both the Gaekwads and the British as their enemies.

On the eve of the uprising of 1857 there spread a rumour in Okhamandal that the rebels had succeeded in ousting the British from India. Pilgrims coming from north India to the famous shrines of Dwarka and Bet (which are situated in Okhamandal) carried news about the spread of the Revolt in different parts of the subcontinent, thereby reinforcing the rumour. The Waghers felt that this was an opportune moment to rebel against the Gaekwads and their colonial masters and liberate the region. In 1858 the Waghers were mobilised by JodhaManek and his nephew MuluManek to carry out a struggle to overthrow the rule of the Gaekwads.

The Waghers attacked the Gaekwad army and British troops stationed in the Baroda state. The troops were forced to retreat and the rebels established their control over Dwarka and Bet. JodhaManek was the leader of the rebels and he was declared ‘king of Dwarka’. He expelled GovindRao, the thanedar of the Gaekwad and took over the administration of the area. Many of the retreating soldiers of the Gaekwad’s army were killed by the people. The Waghers captured 28 guns, 2000 arms, 1000 maunds of gunpowder, 700 pounds of sulphur and 125 vessels from Dwarka, Bet, and Okha.

The entire area remained under the control of the rebels till 1859.

The British responded immediately to this critical situation which had resulted in the liberation of Okhamandal. The Bombay government asked for troops to be sent immediately to help the Baroda state to suppress the revolt. A contingent of 1350 troops under Col. Donavan was despatched to deal with the rebellion. This contingent was to be reinforced by troops under Col. Scribe who was ordered to march from Rajkot to Dwarka. However the arrival of the Rajkot troops got delayed.

BRUTALITY AT BET AND DWARKA

Upon reaching Bet, Col. Donavan’s army launched a major offensive from sea and land on October 4, 1859. The naval offensive was carried out by warships Empress of India, Victoria, and Clide. There was heavy bombardment of rebel positions by the warships. The Waghers put up a brave resistance. In this engagement Capt. Mecormack of the 28th Regiment and Williams of the 6th Regiment were killed along with ten other British soldiers. Many more officers and soldiers were wounded. The two officers who were killed in this battle were buried at Bet and their graves can still be seen at the place. The Wagher leader Deva Chhabani was also killed. This was a great loss to the rebels. But most of the rebels were able to move from Bet to Dwarka. They established their control over Dwarka on Dussehra. After the recapture of Bet, the British army demolished the Bet fort, destroyed temples and other structures, and looted treasure amounting to over three lakh rupees from the temples. The soldiers indiscriminately massacred innocent men, Women, children, and killed cattle and horses.

The brutality displayed by the British at Bet caused widespread anger among the Waghers and other people of the region. They now began to make preparations to challenge the British from their base in Dwarka. When Col. Donavan learnt of this he rushed to the place along with his troops. Dwarka was attacked from both sea and land. The warships Zonabia and Firoz engaged in heavy shelling on October 31, 1859. Though the rebels put up a determined fight the British army proved superior. The rebels were defeated and Dwarka was captured. A large number of Waghers escaped to the nearby Abhapara hills.

In Dwarka the British repeated the cruelties that they had perpetrated in Bet. Temples and other structures were demolished; humans and cattle were killed; jewels and treasure was looted. This led to protests by rulers of Kutch, Porbandar and Jamnagar. Chambers of commerce also joined in the protest. Representations were made for the return of treasure that had been looted from temples. The Gaekwad and British authorities were warned that if the treasure was not restored there would be widespread discontent in the region. The Bombay government was forced to take note of the incidents and intervened to reassure the rulers of princely states that the treasure would be restored and that such incidents would not occur in future.

GUERILLA STRUGGLE

After the defeat of the rebels at Dwarka most of the Waghers surrendered their arms by 1859. Some of the leaders were arrested and were sentenced to imprisonment for terms extending from two to twelve years. Many other rebels under the leadership of JodhaManek and MuluManek however continued to elude the authorities. They found shelter in the hill range of Abhapara. From here they carried out a guerilla struggle. The British saw this as a continuation of the 1857 Revolt. The continuing struggle in the Abhapara region needed to be crushed urgently. The princely rulers of Saurashtra were asked to render their support in this task. Accordingly the Junagadh state sent DiwanAnantjiAmarchand with 700 soldiers; Jamnagar state sent JalamsinhJadeja with 1000 soldiers; Porbandar state sent DiwanKaramchand Gandhi with 200 soldiers and Gondal state sent ManishankerNibheramVaidya with 400 soldiers. They joined the British army led by Major Hommer. This princely army of 2300, along with the British army, jointly carried out military operations against the remaining Wagher rebels in the Abhapara hills and forced them to disband by the end of 1859. JodhaManek escaped with some of his supporters and eventually died in 1860 at Sasan in Gir, where he was cremated.

A small band of Waghers continued their struggle from their hidden shelters in the hills of Barda and Gir under the guidance of their leaders Deva and MuluManek, who was later betrayed, captured and sentenced to imprisonment for fourteen years, though he managed to escape from jail as well. By this time the struggle had been completely suppressed.

This forgotten chapter in the history of the Revolt has to be seen as part of the larger struggle of the people of Gujarat against colonial oppression and against the collaborationist role of a large number of princely states. The fact that Gujarat did not remain unaffected by the upheaval of 1857 underlines the wide geographical extent of the Revolt. Further, as was the case in many parts of the subcontinent, the rebellion in the Okhamandal area of Saurashtra went on beyond 1857-58, thereby providing a link with struggles of the post-1857 period.,

The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising in India against British rule. It began in Meerut on 10 May 1857 and spread to other parts of the country, including Gujarat.

The causes of the Revolt of 1857 are complex and have been debated by historians for many years. Some of the factors that contributed to the uprising include:

The introduction of new cartridges that were greased with pig and cow fat, which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims.
The growing discontent among Indian soldiers with their pay and conditions.
The British government’s policy of religious and cultural discrimination against Indians.
The economic exploitation of India by the British.

The Revolt of 1857 began in Meerut on 10 May 1857, when a group of Indian soldiers refused to use the new cartridges. The uprising quickly spread to other parts of the country, including Gujarat. In Gujarat, the revolt was led by a number of local leaders, including Khan Bahadur Khan, Pir Ali, and Haji Pir Mohammad. The rebels captured a number of towns and cities in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Surat, and Bharuch. However, the British were able to suppress the revolt by the end of 1857.

The Revolt of 1857 had a profound impact on India. It led to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India and the establishment of the British Raj. The revolt also led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Indians and the destruction of many towns and cities.

The Revolt of 1857 is a significant event in Indian history. It is remembered as a symbol of Indian resistance to British rule. The revolt also led to the development of a sense of Indian nationalism.

The following are some of the leaders of the Revolt of 1857:

Nana Sahib was a Maratha prince who led the revolt in the city of Kanpur.
Tantia Tope was a Maratha general who led the revolt in the city of Gwalior.
Rani Lakshmibai was the queen of the Indian state of Jhansi. She led the revolt in Jhansi and was killed in battle.
Khan Bahadur Khan was a Muslim leader who led the revolt in Gujarat.
Pir Ali was a Muslim leader who led the revolt in Gujarat.
Haji Pir Mohammad was a Muslim leader who led the revolt in Gujarat.

The following are some of the impacts of the Revolt of 1857:

The end of the East India Company’s rule in India.
The establishment of the British Raj.
The deaths of hundreds of thousands of Indians.
The destruction of many towns and cities.
The development of a sense of Indian nationalism.

The following are frequently asked questions and short answers about the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat:

What was the Revolt of 1857?
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a major uprising against British rule in India. It began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, and spread to other parts of the country, including Gujarat.
What were the causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The causes of the Revolt of 1857 were complex and varied. Some of the factors that contributed to the uprising include:
Economic hardship: The British East India Company had imposed high taxes on the Indian people, which led to widespread POVERTY.
Religious tensions: The British had abolished the practice of sati (widow burning) and had also interfered in other Hindu and Muslim customs.
Military reforms: The British had replaced the traditional Indian army with a new army that was composed of both Indian and British soldiers. This led to resentment among the Indian soldiers, who felt that they were being treated as second-class citizens.
The greased cartridges: The British had introduced new cartridges for their rifles that were greased with animal fat. This was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims, who believed that it was sacrilegious to touch animal fat.
What was the role of Gujarat in the Revolt of 1857?
Gujarat played a significant role in the Revolt of 1857. The uprising began in Gujarat when a group of sepoys (Indian soldiers) refused to use the new cartridges. The sepoys were joined by other Indians, and the revolt soon spread to other parts of the province.
Who were the leaders of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat?
The leaders of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat included:
Mangal Pandey: Mangal Pandey was a sepoy who was one of the first to rebel against the British. He was executed by the British for his role in the uprising.
Thakur Lakshmibai: Thakur Lakshmibai was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi. She led her people in a revolt against the British. She was killed in battle in 1858.
Nana Sahib: Nana Sahib was the adopted son of Peshwa Bajirao II. He led a revolt against the British in Kanpur.
What was the outcome of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat?
The Revolt of 1857 was ultimately unsuccessful. The British were able to suppress the uprising and restore their rule in India. However, the revolt had a profound impact on Indian history. It led to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India and to the establishment of the British Raj.
What were the consequences of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat?
The consequences of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat were far-reaching. The revolt led to the deaths of thousands of people, both Indians and British. It also led to the destruction of much of Gujarat’s Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. The revolt also had a profound impact on the psyche of the Indian people. It led to a sense of distrust and resentment towards the British.
What is the legacy of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat?
The legacy of the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat is complex and multifaceted. The revolt is remembered as a watershed moment in Indian history. It is seen as a symbol of Indian resistance to British rule. The revolt also has a place in the collective memory of the Indian people. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made in the struggle for independence.

The following are MCQs about the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat:

The Revolt of 1857 was a major uprising against the British East India Company in India. It began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, and spread to other parts of the country, including Gujarat.
The main cause of the Revolt of 1857 was the British government’s policy of religious discrimination against Hindus and Muslims. The British also imposed heavy taxes on the Indian people, which led to widespread poverty and discontent.
The Revolt of 1857 was a major turning point in Indian history. It led to the end of the British East India Company’s rule in India and the establishment of the British Raj.
The Revolt of 1857 had a profound impact on Gujarat. It led to the destruction of many Hindu and Muslim temples and mosques, and the death of thousands of people.
The Revolt of 1857 is a significant event in Indian history. It is a reminder of the struggle for independence from British rule, and the sacrifices that were made to achieve it.

Here are some additional facts about the Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat:

The revolt began in Gujarat on June 10, 1857, when a group of soldiers mutinied at the British cantonment in Ahmedabad.
The rebels were led by a Muslim cleric named Haji Ali Shah.
The rebels captured Ahmedabad and several other towns in Gujarat.
The British were able to suppress the revolt in Gujarat by the end of 1857.
The revolt had a devastating impact on Gujarat. Many towns and villages were destroyed, and thousands of people were killed.
The revolt also led to the decline of the Mughal Empire in Gujarat.

The following are some MCQs about the history of Gujarat:

Gujarat is a state in western India. It is bordered by the states of Rajasthan to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west.
The capital of Gujarat is Gandhinagar.
The Population of Gujarat is over 60 million people.
The main languages spoken in Gujarat are Gujarati and Hindi.
The main religion in Gujarat is Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism.
Gujarat is a major agricultural state. The main crops grown in Gujarat are Cotton, wheat, and rice.
Gujarat is also a major industrial state. The main industries in Gujarat are textiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Gujarat is a major tourist destination. The main tourist attractions in Gujarat are the beaches of the Arabian Sea, the temples of Mount Girnar, and the wildlife sanctuaries of the Gir Forest.
Gujarat was ruled by the Mughal Empire from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Gujarat was ruled by the British East India Company from the 18th to the 19th centuries.
Gujarat became a part of independent India in 1947.
Gujarat has been a major center of Hindu-Muslim conflict in recent years.
The 2002 Gujarat riots were a major incident of Hindu-Muslim violence in Gujarat.
The 2002 Gujarat riots left over 1,000 people dead, most of them Muslims.
The 2002 Gujarat riots were widely condemned by the international community.
The 2002 Gujarat riots led to the resignation of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi.
Narendra Modi was re-elected Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2012.
Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister of India in 2014.
Narendra Modi has been accused of being complicit in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Narendra Modi has denied any wrongdoing in the 2002 Gujarat riots.