Revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan

Revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan is a significant event in Rajasthan History, reflecting the region’s contribution to India’s first war of independence. Although the revolt did not achieve widespread success in Rajasthan, centers like Nasirabad, Kota, Bharatpur, and Erinpura witnessed active participation by soldiers, local rulers, and revolutionaries. The efforts of Tantya Tope and the contributions of patriotic litterateurs also played a key role in inspiring resistance against British rule.

Revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan : 

Revolt of 1857 is often described as India’s first war for Independence. On 29^th March 1857, Mangal Pandey, a soldier of 34^th regiment revolted at Barrackpore cantonment. The revolt soon spread over the entire area from the neighbourhood of Patna to the borders of Rajasthan. There were six main centres of revolt in these regions namely Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Jhansi, Gwalior and Arrah in Bihar. Rajasthan was one of the states which actively took part in the rebellion of 1857. Unfortunately, most rulers of Rajasthan did not extend any help to the national forces during the revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan instead they helped the British forces in crushing the revolt.

• In 1832 A.G.G (Agent to Governor General) Headquarter was established in Ajmer. Mr. Locket was the first A.G.G of Rajasthan. In 1845 the headquarters was transferred to Abu. 
• During the revolt of 1857, George Patrik Lawrence was the A.G.G. and Rajasthan was divided into 6 British Cantonments:

Naseerabad	Ajmer
Devali (Deoli)	Tonk
Erinpura (Arinpura)	Pali
Neemach	Kota
Kherwara	Udaipur
Beawar (Byawar)	Ajmer

• Last two cantonments did not participate in the revolt.

City	Political Agent	Ruler (1857)
Bharatpur	Morrison	Maharaja Jaswant Singh I
Jaipur	William Eden	Maharaja Ram Singh II
Jodhpur	Mac Mason	Maharaja Thakat Singh
Kota	Major Burton	MahaRao Ram Singh
Udaipur	Captain Shawers	Maharana Swaroop Singh

Revolt at Nasirabad

• Nasirabad was the first place in Rajasthan where the Revolt of 1857 began on 28 May. 
• The news of the revolt of Meerut reached A.G.G. George Lawerence and he sent 15^th Bengal Native Infantry which was located in Ajmer to Nasirabad Because it recently came from Meerut.
• This led to dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Soon news of the soldiers’ revolt also reached the soldiers in Nasirabad, and on 28 May 1857, the soldiers of the 15^th Native Infantry revolted in Nasirabad. 
• Soldiers of 30th Native Infantry also joined in and after burning & capturing the cantonment soldiers left for Delhi.

Revolt at Neemuch

• When the news of the Naseerabad revolt reached the Military officer of Neemuch Colonel Abbot, he forced soldiers to take the oath of loyalty in the parade ground on June 2, 1857. 
• During the oath taking event itself, a cavalry soldier Ali-Baig blurted out in anger that “the Britishers themselves did not stand by their oath of Awadh and hence Indians too are not obliged to abide by their oath”. 
• As a result on June 3, 1857, soldiers of Neemuch also revolted After burning the cantonment they started for Delhi via Chittor, Hammingarh, Baneda and Shahpura and joined the revolutionaries there and fiercely attacked the British army. 
• Captain Shawers reached Neemuch with the forces of Mewar and A.G.G. Lawrence sent the forces of Kota and Bundi to Neemuch Britishers again took the control of Neemach on 8th June, 1857.

Revolt at Erinpura

• In Erinpura cantonment, Jodhpur the Indian units of British forces revolted on 21 August, 1857. They marched towards Delhi shouting ‘Chalo Delhi Maro Firangi’. 
• On the way Thakur Kushal Singh Champavat of Auwa agreed to lead the soldiers and stood against the British Empire. He became the leader of hostile feudal lords of Maharana Takht Singh. By interference in the inheritance of Bithoda, he alienated Takht Singh.
• On August 21, 1857, the Jodhpur legion revolted by the military coup. Since Kushal Singh was opposed to the British, he added these rebels with him. The combined forces defeated Jodhpur State forces near Auwa (8^th September 1857- Battle of Bithoda) and lieutenant Heathcoat had to retreat. 
• After the incident, A.G.G. Lawerence reached Auwa and fierce battle (18^th September 1857- Battle of Chelawas) followed. General Lawrence forces were defeated and rebel forces killed political agent Monck Mason. 
• To avenge the defeat of Auwa, force was sent to Auwa under AGG George Lawerence Disa and Brigadier Holmes. Another fierce battle followed but this time Kushal Singh was forced to flee towards Salumbar. 
• The British looted Auwa and took the idol of Sugali Mata to Ajmer. 
• Thakur Kushal Singh surrendered before the British on 8th August, 1860. Later, the Major Tailor investigation commission exonerated him and he died in 1864 in Udaipur. The battle of Chelawas has been termed as “Battle of Black & Whites” in the folk songs of Rajasthan.

Revolt at Kota

• The rebellion forces of Kota revolted under the leadership of two officers: Mehrab Khan and lala Jaydayal Kayasth 15th october 1857. 
• They killed resident Major Burton, his two sons and a doctor on 15 October, 1857. On 3 March 1858 the British forces under General Roberts crushed the rebellion at Kota with help of Karauli Maharaval Madanpal.
• Mehrab Khan & Jaidayal Kayasth were hanged after this revolt. It was the most intense and widespread rebellion where revolutionaries controlled kota for Six months.

Bharatpur Revolt

• Bharatpur remained disturbed during the entire rebellion period and people of Goûsais and Mewatis took part in the rebellion openly. 
• On 31 May 1857, Bharatpur forces rebelled and Major Morrison fled towards Agra.

Dholpur Revolt

• In October 1857, the rebel soldiers of Gwalior and Indore came to Dhaulpur. They grouped with the local rebels and put pressure on the Dholpur ruler for providing artillery. 
• About 1000 rebels under Rao Ramchandra and Hiralal then fled to Agra with the guns of Maharana Dholpur. 
• In the end, the rule was re-established with help from the forces of the ruler of Patiala.

Revolutionaries of Rajasthan in the 1857 Revolt

Dungji-Jawarji (Sikar):

• Dungji, a risaldar in the Shekhawati Brigade, left his job to join the freedom struggle and became a “Dhavadia.”
• They collected funds from wealthy people for the cause of freedom and resorted to looting if denied.
• At Gharsisar(Bikaner) they were surrounded by the combined forces of the British and the armies of Bikaner and Jodhpur. Jawarji escaped to Khairkhatta, but Dungji was deceitfully captured by Jodhpur’s forces and handed over to the British. Dungji died in Jodhpur fort.

Abhay Singh and Chiman Singh (Khonkhari):

• These brothers, jagirdars of Khonkhari, troubled the British by looting their postal services and treasury.
• They often collaborated with Dungji-Jawarji in anti-British activities.
• Their bravery and courage were celebrated in the songs of Aadha Jaduram and Aasiya Budhji.

Rawat Kesari Singh (Salumber):

• The Rawat of Salumber in Mewar supported the rebels by providing arms, supplies, and soldiers.
• He warned the Maharana of Mewar to restore traditional rights within eight days, failing which he threatened to install a rival Maharana in Chittor.
• He supported Tatya Tope and Kushal Singh with weapons and provisions and gave shelter to Kushal Singh after the fall of Aauwa.

Amarchand Bathia (Second Bhamashah):

• A trader from Gwalior, Amarchand offered his entire wealth to Tatya Tope to sustain the freedom struggle.
• His sacrifice led to his execution, making him the first Rajasthani to be hanged during the 1857 revolt.

Mir Alam Khan (Tonk):

• The maternal uncle of Nawab Wazir-ud-Daula of Tonk, he openly opposed the British and led rebel soldiers.
• The Nawab ordered his arrest, and a royal army was sent against him; he died fighting with them.

Rawat Jodh Singh (Kotharia):

• The Rawat of Kothariya supported the rebels during the revolt, providing assistance to Tatya Tope and Kushal Singh.
• It is said that he sheltered Nana Sahib and extended all possible help.

Tantya Tope in Rajasthan

• Tatya Tope, born as Ramachandra Pandurang a loyal supporter of Nana Sahib, played a significant role in leading guerrilla warfare against the British. 
• He entered Rajasthan, with the rebels of Gwalior. The forces of Nawab of Tonk under Wazir Khan also supported Tantya Tope against Britishers. Tantya Tope advanced towards Jaipur Via Banswara and Mewar where prince Feroze met him. 
• On March 1, 1858 the rebels broke the cordon of Britishers and reached Sikar via Alwar but were defeated by the forces of Colonel Holmes. 
• Tantya Tope then advanced towards Mewar via Bundi but General Abraham Roberts defeated him near Bhilwara. 
• Tanya Tope again entered Banswara on 11th December, 1858. Maharaval Lakshan Singh escaped to jungles but Man Singh Rukka, a companion of Tope helped the Britishers and captured him in the jungles of Narwar. 
• He was hanged on 18th April, 1859 in Sipri (Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh).

Contribution of Litterateurs

The poets and litterateurs of Rajasthan played a significant role in spreading awareness and mobilizing people against British rule during the 1857 Revolt. Through their powerful poetry, they raised the spirits of the masses and called for unity to resist colonial oppression.

Suryamal Misaṇ :

• A prominent poet of the time, Miśaṇ, despite being a court poet of Bundi, took the role of a revolutionary writer. 

Bankidas:

• He criticized the luxury-driven lifestyle of the Rajputs while urging them to join the fight against the British. In his poems, he condemned rulers like the Maharaja of Bikaner, Sardar Singh, who had sided with the British. He also praised Tatya Tope, a freedom fighter, for his dedication to the cause of independence. He awakened the masses through his famous line, “Aayo angrez mulk re upar”, urging people to fight against the British. His poetry inspired many to join the rebellion and sacrifice for the country.

Shankardan Samour:

• Poet Shānkardān Sāmour described the British as “Mulk Ra Mitha Thag” (sweet thieves of the country). He saw the 1857 revolt as a golden opportunity to reclaim India’s lost independence, and his writings emphasized the need to fight for freedom.

Hulasi:

• Hulasi, one of the earliest poets to rise against the British, composed songs filled with patriotism and valor. His works celebrated the courage of those opposing the British, calling on people to continue their resistance until the British were defeated.

Dalji Kavi (Dungarpur):

• Dalji Kavi used satire and sharp criticism to stir anti-British sentiment. His poems targeted the complacency of the rulers and the apathy of the people, encouraging them to unite and take action against British tyranny.

Charan Poets:

• They composed and sang heroic ballads about local heroes like Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa and Thakur Savatsingh of Nimbaj. These poems praised the bravery of these leaders and inspired the public to join the fight against the British.

These poets sowed the seeds of national freedom through their inspiring verses, igniting the spirit of resistance against British rule. The flames of patriotism they kindled were nurtured by later freedom fighters, ultimately leading to the successful struggle for independence in 1947.

Causes of Revolt in Rajasthan

• Reduction in Privileges: The reduction of privileges of rulers and nobles, along with British interference in the internal administration of princely states, turned both the rulers and the general public against the British.
• Interference in Succession Matters: The British interfered in the succession disputes of princely states, such as in the succession cases of Alwar and Bharatpur.
• Economic Exploitation: British economic policies, monopoly over salt and opium, expansion of railways, land settlements, and promotion of British goods worsened the condition of rural farmers and traders.
• Religious and Social Reforms: British religious and social reforms created resentment among the masses against the British.
• Increased Administrative Interference: The interference of the British in the administrative affairs of princely states intensified.
• Role of Contemporary Literature: Contemporary literature played a key role in creating an anti-British atmosphere.

Consequences of Revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan

• As a result of the mutiny of 1857, Amarchand Bathian of Bikaner was hanged.
• Since many leaders of the revolt were feudal lords, the British decided to destroy the power of the feudal system through various methods after the dissolution of the war.
• During the rebellion, the British were helped by the native rulers, so after the suppression of the rebellion, the British gave them titles and awards. For eg. Maharaja Ram Singh I of Jaipur was rewarded with the title of “Sitar-e-Hind” and pargana of Kotputli.
• During the rebellion period, the British had to face severe inconvenience in sending their army from one place to another. Thus, after the dissolution in 1865 AD, the road leading to Jaipur and Ajmer and the road going to Nimach by Naseerabad through Chittorgarh was constructed.
• After the coup, there was a change in the traditional social structure of Rajasthan as well. After the suppression of revolt, modern education was disseminated and the English rules were executed in all the states. Because of this, the importance of Brahmins was reduced.
• This revolt created a new consciousness and awakening in the public. According to Shri Nathuram Kharagawat, “The general public also participated directly or indirectly in this enmity.”

Reasons for failure of the revolt of 1857 in Rajasthan 

• Indigenous rulers were short-sighted, they were devotees of the British, so they did not support rebels.
• There was no definite leader of the rebels; in addition they lacked unity and organization.
• The rebels were not as skilled as the British in the battlefield.
• They did not capture Ajmer so didn’t get support from rulers of Rajasthan (Richard, in his book The Mutiny in Rajasthan).
• The  spread of the revolt of 1857 was Limited to certain areas.
• Princely states supported the British (Lord Canning said, “kings acted as a barrier against the waves during the storm, otherwise our boat would have been swept away.”)

Analysis of the 1857 Revolution in Rajasthan

The 1857 revolt in Rajasthan was a blend of local and national resistance against British rule, fueled by widespread resentment and anti-British sentiment. While the events at Nasirabad, Neemuch, and Erinpura aligned with the nationwide uprising, the revolts in Kota and Auwa were driven by local grievances. The people of Auwa fought relentlessly, even without military support, and rulers like those of Bharatpur, Kota, and Tonk resisted British interference under public pressure.

In conclusion, the people of Rajasthan referred to the British as “Firangi” and sought liberation from their rule to safeguard their religion. Thus, the 1857 uprising can be regarded as the first significant attempt to achieve freedom from foreign domination.

Social Reforms in Rajasthan during the British Era : 

The society of Rajputana was traditionally structured, but when the rulers came into contact with Company rule, its impact was evident not only in economic, administrative, and judicial domains but also in the social sphere. Due to British influence, many medieval practices and customs began to decline, paving the way for the emergence of a progressive generation of ideas. This transformation can be studied in detail as follows.

1. Social Reforms :

During British rule, significant efforts were made to eradicate social evils in Rajasthan. Sati Pratha was first declared illegal in Bundi by Rao Vishnu Singh in 1822, and Kota’s Maharaja Ram Singh outlawed female infanticide in 1833. Jodhpur’s Maharaja Man Singh prohibited the Tyag custom in 1841, while Udaipur’s Maharana Swaroop Singh With the efforts of J.C. Bukar, Commander of the Mewar Bhil Corps abolished the Dakan Pratha in 1853. Human trafficking was banned in Kota in 1831, and Jaipur outlawed the Samadhi Pratha in 1844 under Jaipur’s Political Agent, Ludlow. Efforts to end child marriage culminated in the 1929 Child Marriage Restraint Act, while the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 encouraged remarriages. Female education also began with schools i.e. Husson Girls School(Jodhpur), Savitri Girls School and Sophia Girls School(Ajmer), Maharani Sudarshan Intermediate College (Bikaner). The efforts of the Walterkrit Rajput Hitkarini Sabha in eradicating social evils from Rajput society were also truly commendable.

2. Judicial Reforms :

After establishing control through treaties in 1817-18, the British focused on improving the judicial system. These reforms aimed to organize judicial administration and implement modern legal frameworks. Some of these are

• Jaipur State: In 1839, Political Agent Thoresby separated the judiciary from the administrative department and established civil and criminal courts.
• Jodhpur State: In 1839, a governing committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Political Agent, which set up civil and criminal courts.
• Mewar State: Maharana Shambhu Singh established the ‘Mahkama Khas,’ while Maharana Sajjan Singh introduced ‘Ijlaz Khas‘ to streamline judicial procedures. Appeals against decisions of local officers could be made to the courts in Udaipur.
• Bikaner State: In 1910, Maharaja Ganga Singh implemented the principle of separation of powers, which was a contemporary practice in England.

These reforms ensured equality before the law, eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion, lineage, rank, or status. English laws were gradually applied across princely states, paving the way for a modern judicial system. These reforms not only strengthened the legal framework but also laid the foundation for efficient administrative governance.

3. Industrial Reforms :

Post-1850, Rajasthan saw the establishment of several industries, largely driven by British imperial interests to serve the economic and strategic needs of the empire. These industries in Rajasthan can be categorized into two types

• I^st – Industries for local needs and luxury goods for eg. Glass, Leather, Soda water industries.
• II^nd – Industries converting agricultural products into exportable raw materials for eg. Cotton, sugar mills.

These industrial developments were driven not only by local demands but also to cater to the broader needs of British colonial interests, contributing to the economic transformation of Rajasthan.

4.Transportation and Communication in Rajasthan

• Between 1865 and 1875, the British initiated Road construction linking key cities like Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, and Jodhpur, extending to Disa. For military needs, the Udaipur-Khairwada road was built. Jaipur, Mewar, and Marwar states contributed significantly to transportation development. For example, Jaipur built a road from Jaipur to Sambhar Lake via Bagru.
• In 1873, Railways were introduced, connecting Bandikui, Ajmer, and Nasirabad to Delhi and Agra. In 1899, Maharana of Mewar supported the establishment of the Udaipur-Chittorgarh railway line.
• The British also expanded Communication systems. In 1839, Jodhpur saw the establishment of the first British post office. By 1866-67, Jaipur had 18 post offices, and Bikaner followed with post offices in Churu, Ratangarh, and Sujangarh by 1872. Additionally, telegraph services were introduced between Agra and Ajmer in 1864.However, these developments served imperial interests but they also connected cities and markets within Rajasthan, boosting trade, employment, and access to essential supplies, especially in drought-prone areas. 

FAQ (Previous year questions)