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On the evening of 10 May 1857, sepoys at Meerut rose against their British officers, freed their comrades who had been imprisoned for refusing the new cartridges, and marched through the night to Delhi, where they proclaimed the aged Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar their leader. Within weeks, the revolt had spread across the Ganga plain. Uttar Pradesh — then the North-Western Provinces and the newly annexed kingdom of Awadh — became its heart.
Why UP rose
| Cause | UP dimension |
|---|---|
| Annexation of Awadh (1856) | Wajid Ali Shah deposed; deep resentment among Awadh's people and sepoys |
| Taluqdars | The new revenue settlement took away villages from Awadh's landholders (taluqdars) |
| Sepoys | A large share of the Bengal Army came from Awadh and eastern UP; grievances over pay, service abroad and caste |
| Greased cartridges | Rumours that the Enfield cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat |
| Economic distress | High land revenue; decline of crafts |
| Doctrine of Lapse | Annexation of Jhansi |
| Nanasaheb's pension | Refused after Bajirao II's death |
Mangal Pandey
- A sepoy of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, born at Nagwa in Ballia district (UP).
- On 29 March 1857, at Barrackpore (near Calcutta), he attacked his officers; he was hanged in April 1857.
- He is remembered as one of the first heroes of the revolt.
The main centres in UP
| Centre | Leaders | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Meerut | Sepoys of the 3rd Light Cavalry and native infantry | Outbreak on 10 May 1857; march to Delhi |
| Kanpur | Nanasaheb, Tatya Tope, Azimullah Khan | Siege of General Wheeler's entrenchment; the Satichaura Ghat and Bibighar killings; British recapture and harsh reprisals |
| Lucknow | Begum Hazrat Mahal, Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah | Begum proclaimed her son Birjis Qadr as ruler; long siege of the Residency (Henry Lawrence killed); relief by Havelock and Outram; recapture by Colin Campbell (1858) |
| Jhansi | Rani Lakshmibai | Defence of Jhansi (1858); later fought at Kalpi and Gwalior, where she died |
| Bareilly | Khan Bahadur Khan | Established a government in Rohilkhand |
| Faizabad | Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah | A leading figure in Awadh; known as the "Lighthouse of the Rebellion" |
| Allahabad | Maulvi Liaqat Ali | Rising in the city and surroundings |
| Gorakhpur region | Bandhu Singh and others | Local risings |
| Azamgarh | Forces of Kunwar Singh (from Bihar) | Victory over the British in 1858 |
Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Wife of Wajid Ali Shah.
- Led the revolt in Lucknow, placing her young son Birjis Qadr on the throne.
- Organised the siege of the Residency and rejected British offers of amnesty.
- After Lucknow fell, she retreated to Nepal, where she died.
- She is remembered as a symbol of women's leadership in 1857.
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
- Wife of Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi; Jhansi was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse after his death.
- Defended Jhansi against Sir Hugh Rose in 1858; escaped and joined Tatya Tope.
- Captured Gwalior with Tatya Tope; died fighting near Gwalior in June 1858.
Suppression and aftermath
- The British recaptured Delhi (September 1857), Lucknow (March 1858) and other centres by 1858–59, with brutal reprisals.
- The Government of India Act, 1858 ended Company rule.
- Queen Victoria's Proclamation was read at Allahabad on 1 November 1858 by Lord Canning — at the site now called Madan Mohan Malaviya Park (earlier Minto Park).
- The proclamation promised religious tolerance, respect for Indian princes and an end to annexations.
The nature of the revolt in UP
In UP, 1857 was more than a sepoy mutiny:
- Taluqdars and peasants joined in large numbers, especially in Awadh.
- Leaders came from royal families, religious figures and ordinary soldiers.
- Hindus and Muslims fought together.
Historians debate whether it was a "war of independence", a "mutiny" or a combination of many revolts. In UP, its popular character is especially clear.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Where did the revolt of 1857 begin, and on what date?
- Where was Mangal Pandey born?
- Who led the revolt in Lucknow?
- Who led the revolt in Bareilly?
- Where was Queen Victoria's Proclamation read, and when?
Mains-style:
- "In Awadh, the revolt of 1857 was a people's war." Discuss.
- Examine the role of women in the revolt of 1857 in Uttar Pradesh.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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