The First War of Independence in Rajputana

By 1857, the Rajput rulers were tightly bound by the Subsidiary Alliances. While the kings stood with the British to honor their treaties, the common people, feudal lords (Jagirdars/Thakurs), and the Indian soldiers in the British cantonments rose in armed rebellion.

1. The Administrative Setup

To control Rajputana, the British established the Rajputana Residency (1832) at Ajmer (later shifted to Mount Abu in summers).

• The Boss: Agent to Governor General (A.G.G.) - George Patrick Lawrence (during 1857).
• The 6 Military Cantonments (Chhaonis): Desi Trick: "A Nani Khai Dekh"
  1. Erinpura (Pali) - Jodhpur Legion
  2. Nani - Naseerabad & Neemuch
  3. Khai - Kherwara (Udaipur - Mewar Bhil Corps)
  4. Dekh - Deoli (Tonk) & Beawar (Ajmer - Mer Regiment)

[!NOTE]
Beawar and Kherwara were the only two cantonments that did NOT participate in the 1857 revolt.

2. The Sparks & Spreads

• Naseerabad (28 May 1857): The revolt started here in Rajasthan. The 15th Bengal Native Infantry mutinied due to mistrust by the British (they were called from Meerut and their artillery was taken away). Major Spottiswoode and Col. Newburgh were killed.
• Neemuch (3 June 1857): Led by Mohammad Ali Beg and Hira Singh. British families fled and were sheltered by Maharana Swaroop Singh in the Jagmandir Palace of Udaipur.
• Erinpura (21 August 1857): Jodhpur Legion soldiers mutinied at Mount Abu, then marched to Erinpura shouting "Chalo Delhi, Maro Firangi!" (Let's go to Delhi, kill the foreigners).

3. The Epicenter of Feudal Revolt: Auwa (Pali)

The rebellious soldiers of Erinpura were given shelter by Thakur Kushal Singh Champawat of Auwa, who was already angry with the Maharaja of Jodhpur (Takhat Singh).

• Battle of Bithoda (8 Sept 1857): Thakur Kushal Singh defeated the combined army of Jodhpur state (led by Onar Singh, who died) and the British (Capt. Heathcote).
• Battle of Chelawas / "Black & White War" (18 Sept 1857): A massive victory for Kushal Singh. The A.G.G. George Patrick Lawrence fled. The Political Agent of Jodhpur, Mack Mason, was killed, and his head was hung on the gate of Auwa Fort.
• The Fall: British forces under Col. Holmes finally captured Auwa in Jan 1858. The idol of Sugali Mata (the goddess of the revolt, with 10 heads and 54 hands) was taken away.

4. The Epicenter of Civilian Revolt: Kota

Kota saw the most organized and fierce civilian and military uprising, untainted by immediate feudal disputes.

• Date: 15 October 1857.
• Leaders: Lala Jai Dayal and Mehrab Khan.
• The Action: The Political Agent, Major Burton, and his two sons were murdered. Burton's severed head was paraded through the streets of Kota. Maharao Ram Singh II was kept as a prisoner in his own palace for 6 months.
• The Rescue: Major General Roberts, with the help of the Karauli army (Madan Pal), freed Kota in March 1858.

5. Key Personalities of the Revolt

• Amar Chand Banthia: Known as the "Bhamashah of 1857" and the "First Martyr of Rajasthan" (Mangal Pandey of Rajasthan). A merchant from Bikaner who financed Rani Laxmibai and Tatya Tope. He was hanged by the British in Gwalior.
• Tatya Tope: The great Maratha leader entered Rajasthan twice to seek help but failed to get support from the ruling kings, though the public and jagirdars supported him immensely. He was betrayed by Man Singh Naruka and hanged in 1859.
• Suryamal Misran: The court poet of Bundi (wrote Veer Satsai) who fiercely criticized the Rajput kings for being cowards and siding with the British.