THE WAR CENTRES

        The main interest of the war centres on the cities of Kanpur, Lucknow, Delhi, Jhansi and Gwalior, Kanpur contained one of the great native garrisons of India. At Bithur, not far of (about 20 km) was the palace of NANA SAHIB, the heir of the last Peswa. When the sepoys at Kanpur revolted on June 4, Nana Sahib came forward to assume the leadership The Europeans shut themselves in an entrenchment which bore a siege for nineteen days.

TANTYA TOPE, the military adviser of nana Sahib showed skill and energy in launching attacks. In June 27, the Europeans surrendered and were permitted to leave for Allahabad under a safe conduct but were treacherously murdered.

        Sir Henry Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner of Avadh, had foreseen the storm. He fortified and provisioned the Residency at Lucknow and retired there with all the European inhabitants and a weak British regiment. On July 2, he was wounded by a shell and died two days later. The garrison held out against enormous odds.

The sepoys in large numbers rallied to the support of The Begum of Avadh, but they could not capture the Residency Meanwhile a small British force had secured Allahabad enabling Major-General Havelock to advance at the head of a large force on July 7 for the recapture of Kanpur. After a serious of engagements Kanpur was taken on July 17. On July 25 Havelock advanced from Kanpur for the relief of the Residency.

The advance was checked by strong opposition at Unnao and Bashirat Ganj; Tantya Tope threatened Kanpur again; the three regiments at Danapur mutinied and tried to cut the British lines of communication. Havelock, however, overcame these difficulties. He defeated Tatya Tope’s troops at Bithur on August 16. Tantya Tope escaped to kalpi, where he soon gathered many recruits.

        British troops had advanced from Ambala and Meerut and taken up position on the Ridge on June 8 to begin the siege of Delhi. Sepoys, who had flocked to Delhi in large numbers, launched many fierce attacks, but failed to dislodge the British troops on the Ridge. The British had one great advantage in their firm grip over the Punjab which became an admirable base of operations for the capture of Delhi.

 IN THE PUNJAB the revolt had been met by swift anticipated measures of repression and disarmament, carried out by Sir John Lawrence and his lieutenants Herbert Edwards and John Nicholson. In the middle of August, Nicholson arrived with reinforcements from the Punjab.

On September 14, the assault was launched and after six days desperate fighting Delhi was recaptured. Nicholson fell at the head of the storming party. The sons of Bahadur Shah were shot dead by Major Hodson, while the old Mughal emperor, after a trial of doubtful legality, was sent as a state prisoner to bangoan, where he lived till 1862. IN LUCKNOW, Sir Colin Campbell out his way into Lucknow and effected the final deliverance of the garrison on November 17. Tantya Tope then carried out his famous counter-offensive.

Sir Colin Campbell rushed down from Lucknow in time to save Kanpur and to defeat Tatya Tope’s troops on December 6. Sir Colin Campbell then regrouped his forces and finally reoccupied Lucknow in March 1858.

IN CENTRAL INDIA

Sir Hugh Rose with an army from Bombay was conducting a vigorous campaign in Central India. His most formidable antagonists were the Rani of Jhansi and Tantya Tope. Sir High Rose laid siege to Jhansi on March 22. A large force led by Tatya Tope advanced from Charkhari for the relief of Jhansi but was defeated at the battle of the Betwa on April 1, 1858. After a desperate resistance, the Rani left Jhansi on April 4. She suffered further reverses at Kunch (May 7) and Kalpi (May 22).

        At a time when the Rani’s fortunes were at the lowest ebb there took place a dramatic turn of events. The soldiers of Sindia went over to her side and she entrenched herself in the strong fort of Gwalior. Her triumph was worst lived. Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Gwalior on June 20. The Rani gave her life, fighting bravely at the head of her troops.

        All this time the struggle had been gaining in intensity in Avadh. The people of Avadh and Rohilkhand, stimulated by the presence of the Begum of Avadh, the Nawab of Bareilly and Nana Sahib and joined the sepoys in masses. In this region alone it was a revolt of the people rather than the mutiny of an army. Kunwar Singh rallying the sepoys and the people moved out of Bihar and made strenuous efforts to organize the forces of Opposition in several parts of Central Indian and Avadh; but he was forced to return to Bihar where he died in April 1858.

 On May 5, 1858, The Battle Of Bareilly was lost by the Rohilla. The strong counter-offensive against Shahjahanpur met with failure. In spite of this set-back the people of Avadh carried on the struggle for a long time. Sir Colin Campbell conducted the campaign in Avadh, and it lasted through two cold seasons.

THE END OF REVOLT

        The last phase of the war was marked by the exploits of Tantya Tope. After the loss of Gwalior, Tantya Tope commenced

“…. The marvelous series of operations…”

which continued for ten months, and which established his reputation as one of the greatest guerilla leaders. Tatya Tope, after doubling backwards and forwards through Central India and Rajputana, was at last betrayed captured and executed on April 18, 1859.