“Shaheedon Ki Chitayon Par Lagen Gein Har Varash Mele, Vatan Par Marne Walon Ka Jahi Baki Nishan Hoga” Jagdamba Prasad Misher Hitaishi
Puran Chand Sharma
The first war of Independence of India got triggered on May, 10 in the year 1857. It was afull blown war against the mighty and well entrenched British colonial Rule in the country. This year it happens to be the 164th anniversary of first war of freedom which laid rock solid foundation and became everlasting source of motivation and martyrdom for the youth. The first bullet was fired in Bairakpur by Mangal Pande on 29 March, 1857 killing Sargeant Major Heusan who has been recorded as first victim of 1857 war and Mangal Pande as first volatile freedom fighter who challenged the tyrannical English Empire.
The revolutionaries lived and died for the country. It is perfectly in line with filial obligation to discharge our bounden duty to remember them and pay our glowing tributes on the occasion of 164th anniversary of first war of Independence because we are deeply indebted and owe them our sovereignty, self pride and dignity in its entirety.
Nana Sahib was the hardcore strategist of 1857 Revolutionary movement. He was born to Madhavrao and Gangabai in the year 1824 and was later adopted byPeshwa Bajirao-2 as his legal heir. He became Peshwa in the year 1851 after the death of Peshwa Bajirao but the British Government disinherited him and stopped his Royal benefits. Nana revolted against the British Empire. At the outset he held deliberations with TantyaTope, Lakshmi Bhai, Azimullah and his own nephew, Rao sahib to chalk out the pan India strategy and road map for the comprehensive Revolution. In the command of Bahadur Shah Zafar in Delhi, Moulvi Ahmad Shah in Avad, Khan Bahadur khan in Ruhelknnd, Naki khan in Bengal, Baba SahibNargundkar in Karnataka, Kumber Singh in Bihar, an extensive awareness programme was launched. Nana Sahib himself undertook hurricane tour of Punjab, clandestinely organized closed door meetings of Pandits, Moulvies, Monks to ignite the spark of freedom in all segments of society. The full scale war prematurely broke out on 10 May, 1857 instead of 31 May, 1857. Many important battles were daringly fought and won, shaking British Empire from the roots. Tantaya Tope captured Gwalior on June 1, Nana graced that occasionwith his presence. The trinity of Tantaya, Nana and rani Lakshamibai mercilessly hammered the English forces and augmented the freedom movement by mobilizing common masses.
Tantaya Tope- A par excellent last Maratha Guerrilla warrior and commander, master organizer and a fearless freedom fighter with very sharp reflexes whose first and last wish was, ” My country must attain complete freedom. He was born to Pandurang Pant and Rukmabai in village Yevla near Nasik in the year 1814 . His original name was Ramchander. His younger brother used to lovinglycall him as Tantya and the Peshwa presented him a Diamond Studded Topi and addressed him as Tope thereafter he adorned that Topi on his head and people started calling him as Tantya Tope. Right from his early childhood he was close associate of Nana Sahib and also served him as not only his counsellor but a military commander on the basis of his outstanding fighting skills and flawlesswar strategy after Nana was crowned as Peshwa in the year 1851. He fought 150 important guerrilla style battles with English forces in a span of 10 months in hilly terrain, forest area and the deserts spreading over 2800 miles untiringly. He is also credited with the distinction of being the trainer and Guideof Rani Lakshami Bai in fighting skills and war strategy.
Jhansi Ki Rani:- Smith, the British commander who fought against Rani Lakshamibai uttered these words in her praise, ” Rani was bravest of all the rebels who fought against us. “She was born to Bhagirathi Bai and Moropant Tambe in Kashi on 19 November,1835. Childhood name was Manubai and Chhabili. She was fond of Horse Riding, Talwarbaji, Tirandaji, Bhala Fainkana and other war games. As luck would have it, she was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi in the year 1842 at the tender age of 7 and thereafter she was renamed as Lakshamibai. Rani gave birth to a son in the year 1851 who survived only for three months. Subsequently Gangadhar Rao adopted Anand Rao s/o Vasudev Nivalkar as his legal heir, he was then renamed as Damodar Rao. Gangadhar Rao departed to his heavenly abode on 21 Nov, 1853. Under the circumstances 18 years Rani assumed charge of the affairs of her state. Lord Dalhousie taking advantage of the situation asked the Queen to vacate the Fort of Jhansi and move to the palace on monthly pension of RS. 5000 on the basis his Doctrine of Lapse. Rani revolted and retorted,” I will not give my Jhansi.”The grim battle ensued on June 4,1857. Nana Sahib, Tantaya Tope, Azimullah khan and Rao Sahib launched concerted assault on English forces and retrieved Jhansi fort with hoisting of flag of Independence on it. Ultimately on 18 June,1858 , Smith and Heurose attacked Gwalior fort with a huge British force, memorable unparalleled and fierce battle was fought by Rani together with her dare devil soldier friends Juhi, Munder, Gul Mohammad, Ramchander Rao and Raghunath Singh but her novice horse refused to cross the Sonerekha Nullah. In her last fight she was grievously hurt on the right side of the head and her right eye was knocked out but despite that she killed all the English soldiers but succumbed to the injuries and was given a respectful funeral by Ram Chander Rao and Raghunath singh near the cottage of Baba Gangadass. In reference to suchmatchless valour and bravery of Rani, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan accredited poetess wrote ,” Khoob Ladi Mardani, Woh To, Jhansi Wali Rani Thi. All such unsung Heroes of 1857 whose chivalry and sacrifice created fear psychosis in the mind of imperial forces culminating into Independence on Aug 15, 1947 do deserve our heartfelt gratitude and homage. Vande Matram.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel
