CONTRIBUTION OF KARNATAKA IN 1857 WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
prof Dr colonel k Prabhakar Rao Retd
the contribution of North Indian rebels in the war of 1857 is well recorded in all books while the contributions from South Indian freedom fighters us neglected. Major rebellions involving great forces were conducted and even casualties were high. Karnataka a South Indian state also had rebellions of smaller size , but the spirit was there greatly. nizam of Hyderabad , king of Mysore and king of Travancore Cochin colluded with Englishmen. Karnataka a South Indian state has also contributed in 1857 war that are invariably not mentioned in history books. These are discussed.
SHORAPUR REBELLION
RAJA VENKATAPPA NAIKA OF SHORAPUR SAMSTHAN IN FORMER GULBARGA. DISTRICT UNDER nizam of Hyderabad
he was the ruler of provincial Kingdom SHORAPUR and belonged to tribal Naik dynasty. Originally their capital was at Wagengera which was attacked by Aurangzeb and badly damaged. Mughal forces also suffered great losses. Later naiks shifted to SHORAPUR, built a fort and made their capital. VENKATAPPA was very young when his father krishnappa NAIKA died in 1841 and VENKATAPPA was only seven years old. therefore. he was put under regent Philips meadows taylor an administrator and a colonel frOm East India company. the regent brought him up with great care and love. The prince used to call him appa meaning dad.The prince was well educated and fluently could converse in English. There is also a legend on the prince. When he was young an astrologer met the regent Taylor and explained the horoscope ofthe prince and told him that the prince would die in Twenty years from then onwards and the estate would be taken over by the Englishmen . Taylor laughed off at the prediction and even forgot about it. Taylor groomed the prince for 12 years and he left to Hyderabad and prince assumed as head of the state.
As he grew up ,he did not like British interference in states affairs. he did not accept a British advisor too.when sepoy mutiny broke in northern India the prince contacted Neighbouring rulers like MUNDARGI, NARGUND rulers to rebel and planted agents in some of the native regiments accordingly. the British agencies kept a track on developments and posted their spies as advisors. the troops of SHORAPUR attacked British forces led by major Huges and CAPT Windham who were deputed specially To SHORAPUR . The forces of SHORAPUR attacked the company forces and killed many of them . On advise of an fake advisor , In the mean time reinforcements were inducted by the British. The SHORAPUR fort was very strong and could not be captured by the company forces.the prince proceeded to Hyderabad to take help from Salar Jung the prime minister of Nizam. the prince was arrested immediately and was handed over to the British who tried and sentenced him to death and later reduced to life term. However meadows Taylor interfered and after convincing the Governor General, the sentence was reduced to four years. He was to to be restored to his position after the jail term. Once the Naik was arrested , the fake advisor at SHORAPUR opened fort gates and the fort was captured by British forces who also brought in reinforcements.
VENKATAPPA Naik and his two wives were on the way to prison out of Hyderabad when the prince shot himself with a pistol of his Guard who went out for easing himself leaving the weapon behind.. thus the prince laid his life for liberation of the country from the Englishmen. it is also believed that the prince was killed by the British and a story was painted. The British historians also wrote that the young prince squandered away the state coffers in leading a luxurious life and was given to vices and debauchery and womanising .
There is also a legend on the prince. When he was young an astrologer met the regent Taylor and explained the horoscope if the prince and told him that the prince would die in Twenty years from then onwards and the estate would be Sadly the contributions of heroes in 1857 from South India have been ignored by historians althoughin North India the fight was vigorous.In fact nizam betrayed his country for personal gains and saving his skin.
Note . SHORAPUR is also known as Surpur and it is now is part of Yadgiri Dist.and is 50 km from YADGIR. after forming new districts in Karnataka. Gulbarga district was part of Nizams dominions and after 1948 police action by Indian army Hyderabad state was amalgamated to Indian Union. HYDERABAD BECAME One Of the STATES. In 1956 when AP stare was formed, Gulbarga, Raichur districts along with Bidar were transferred to Karnataka state and Aurangabad, nanded , Sholapur, Beed, , Parbhani, were given to Maharashtra state. Sadly the contributions of heroes in 1857 from South India have been ignored by historians althoughin North India the fight was vigorous.In fact nizam 5.Afzaluddaula betrayed his country for personal gains .
MUNDARGI REBELLION
Mundargi is at a distance of 36 km from Gadag the Dist HQ in Karnataka which is also a Taluka HQ. There is big granite hill on the west side of the town.A granite fort has been built on the hill.It has been under provincial rulers from time to time In 1857 it was under Bhim Rao nada gaudy who was a brave chieftain.Karnataka state in South is famous for rebellions against foreign rule and certain communities are war like tribes. in 1857 Bhim Rao ( bheemraya) an official of East Indus company revolted against the East India company overlord ship and fought the British troops with his men. The faux dear of damball raided arms ache of Bheem rao and sealed it on 23 May 1958.having cone to know about it Bheem rao raided it and took away all arms and ammunition to srihatti.Later he started raiding British arms dumps and ammunition stores.he was however killed in a battle near Koppal and. Mundargi fell to the British. the rebellion was short lived.
NARGUND REBELLION
NARGUND means a place of foxes. it is a small town in Karnataka and Is Close to Gadag a Dist HQ.In the centre of the small town , there is a hill on which a fort was built by Maratha ruler CHATRAPATHI Shivaji in 17 century. The fort was built strategically for protection of the localities under Maratha rule. The fort has ammunition storage rooms, big water tank, watch towers and strong walls and bastions. No temples and ornamental buildings were constructed inside the fort. Over a period ,the fort was conquered by Hyder Ali and later by Tippu sultan. after tippy so death NARGUND came under Peshwas and after fall if marath power in 1818. NARGUND came under East India company. In 19 century it was under maharashtrian chitpavan Brahmin ruler Bhaskar Rao Bhave also known as Babasaheb who was very brave and popular. however he was also a victim of doctrine of lapse .He had no heir to succeed him to the throne. He co ordinated with other provincial rulers of smaller estates of SHORAPUR, MUNDARGI who were impressed the necessity to to rise and fight for independence.he confronted East India company force that came to capture the fort in 1857 having come to known about the intentions and British officer Mason was killed and the british lost the battle. However , they attacked again under major Malcolm and. NARGUND fort was captured. Bhave was arrested at torgal fort and he was later hanged. At Belgavi on. June 12, 1858. The company troops were allowed to loot homes of the people. it is also learnt that some betrayed Bhave to the British at torgal.
NARGUND fort has been neglected by the govt and has free access to every one and consequently vandals and treasure hunters caused lot of damage to the fort. the constructions inside the fort almost disappeared. More over group of windmills have been erected on the hill and some areas had to be destroyed to instal them. govt should improve the fort and rebuild the damaged areas for posterity.a
BEDAS OF HALAGALLI.
The BEDAS of HALAGALLI are known to be highly valiant and freedom loving tribes. the East India company officials passed an order. To hand over and surrender all arms and ammunition if any to the govt and they have to take licence to hold them . Thiscwas much resented by the BEDAS. Most of the so called arms were locally made so ears, knives, bows and arrows, swords , axes etc that are used for hunting wild animals for living. The order was much resented be BEDAS. they rebelled and could not be controlled by the leaders. Company forces attacked BEDAS and bitter battle was fought and BEDAS lost it. In order to creat fear 290 BEDAS were publicly hanged at Mudhol on 11 sept 1857
REVOLTS AT COASTAL KARNATAKA
Revolts took place in dakshan Kannada I,e mangalore and Uttar Kannada I.e Karwar areas. Revolutionaries from sawantwadi in Maharashtra Entered Kannada provinces and the hilly and mountainous areas were protective too their activities and their influence made the difference in jacana raja areas. The company forces found difficult to suppress and the revolts continued for another three years after 1958, finally the Karwar province was attached to Bombay presidency.
there were many revolts by local rulers in Karnataka against company rule even before 1857 that was a culmination to dissatisfaction over company policies. Rani if Kittur revolted in the beginning of the century much before 1857 and there were many sporadic rebellions from time to time that were suppressed. However major wars were fought in north India . the rebellions in South India are invariably not recorded in history books and are neglected . There is a need to correct thus lacuna and also give credit to the South Indian freedom fighters in the 1857 war of independence.
prof Dr colonel k Prabhakar Rao Retd
the contribution of North Indian rebels in the war of 1857 is well recorded in all books while the contributions from South Indian freedom fighters us neglected. Major rebellions involving great forces were conducted and even casualties were high. Karnataka a South Indian state also had rebellions of smaller size , but the spirit was there greatly. nizam of Hyderabad , king of Mysore and king of Travancore Cochin colluded with Englishmen. Karnataka a South Indian state has also contributed in 1857 war that are invariably not mentioned in history books. These are discussed.
SHORAPUR REBELLION
RAJA VENKATAPPA NAIKA OF SHORAPUR SAMSTHAN IN FORMER GULBARGA. DISTRICT UNDER nizam of Hyderabad
he was the ruler of provincial Kingdom SHORAPUR and belonged to tribal Naik dynasty. Originally their capital was at Wagengera which was attacked by Aurangzeb and badly damaged. Mughal forces also suffered great losses. Later naiks shifted to SHORAPUR, built a fort and made their capital. VENKATAPPA was very young when his father krishnappa NAIKA died in 1841 and VENKATAPPA was only seven years old. therefore. he was put under regent Philips meadows taylor an administrator and a colonel frOm East India company. the regent brought him up with great care and love. The prince used to call him appa meaning dad.The prince was well educated and fluently could converse in English. There is also a legend on the prince. When he was young an astrologer met the regent Taylor and explained the horoscope ofthe prince and told him that the prince would die in Twenty years from then onwards and the estate would be taken over by the Englishmen . Taylor laughed off at the prediction and even forgot about it. Taylor groomed the prince for 12 years and he left to Hyderabad and prince assumed as head of the state.
As he grew up ,he did not like British interference in states affairs. he did not accept a British advisor too.when sepoy mutiny broke in northern India the prince contacted Neighbouring rulers like MUNDARGI, NARGUND rulers to rebel and planted agents in some of the native regiments accordingly. the British agencies kept a track on developments and posted their spies as advisors. the troops of SHORAPUR attacked British forces led by major Huges and CAPT Windham who were deputed specially To SHORAPUR . The forces of SHORAPUR attacked the company forces and killed many of them . On advise of an fake advisor , In the mean time reinforcements were inducted by the British. The SHORAPUR fort was very strong and could not be captured by the company forces.the prince proceeded to Hyderabad to take help from Salar Jung the prime minister of Nizam. the prince was arrested immediately and was handed over to the British who tried and sentenced him to death and later reduced to life term. However meadows Taylor interfered and after convincing the Governor General, the sentence was reduced to four years. He was to to be restored to his position after the jail term. Once the Naik was arrested , the fake advisor at SHORAPUR opened fort gates and the fort was captured by British forces who also brought in reinforcements.
VENKATAPPA Naik and his two wives were on the way to prison out of Hyderabad when the prince shot himself with a pistol of his Guard who went out for easing himself leaving the weapon behind.. thus the prince laid his life for liberation of the country from the Englishmen. it is also believed that the prince was killed by the British and a story was painted. The British historians also wrote that the young prince squandered away the state coffers in leading a luxurious life and was given to vices and debauchery and womanising .
There is also a legend on the prince. When he was young an astrologer met the regent Taylor and explained the horoscope if the prince and told him that the prince would die in Twenty years from then onwards and the estate would be Sadly the contributions of heroes in 1857 from South India have been ignored by historians althoughin North India the fight was vigorous.In fact nizam betrayed his country for personal gains and saving his skin.
Note . SHORAPUR is also known as Surpur and it is now is part of Yadgiri Dist.and is 50 km from YADGIR. after forming new districts in Karnataka. Gulbarga district was part of Nizams dominions and after 1948 police action by Indian army Hyderabad state was amalgamated to Indian Union. HYDERABAD BECAME One Of the STATES. In 1956 when AP stare was formed, Gulbarga, Raichur districts along with Bidar were transferred to Karnataka state and Aurangabad, nanded , Sholapur, Beed, , Parbhani, were given to Maharashtra state. Sadly the contributions of heroes in 1857 from South India have been ignored by historians althoughin North India the fight was vigorous.In fact nizam 5.Afzaluddaula betrayed his country for personal gains .
MUNDARGI REBELLION
Mundargi is at a distance of 36 km from Gadag the Dist HQ in Karnataka which is also a Taluka HQ. There is big granite hill on the west side of the town.A granite fort has been built on the hill.It has been under provincial rulers from time to time In 1857 it was under Bhim Rao nada gaudy who was a brave chieftain.Karnataka state in South is famous for rebellions against foreign rule and certain communities are war like tribes. in 1857 Bhim Rao ( bheemraya) an official of East Indus company revolted against the East India company overlord ship and fought the British troops with his men. The faux dear of damball raided arms ache of Bheem rao and sealed it on 23 May 1958.having cone to know about it Bheem rao raided it and took away all arms and ammunition to srihatti.Later he started raiding British arms dumps and ammunition stores.he was however killed in a battle near Koppal and. Mundargi fell to the British. the rebellion was short lived.
NARGUND REBELLION
NARGUND means a place of foxes. it is a small town in Karnataka and Is Close to Gadag a Dist HQ.In the centre of the small town , there is a hill on which a fort was built by Maratha ruler CHATRAPATHI Shivaji in 17 century. The fort was built strategically for protection of the localities under Maratha rule. The fort has ammunition storage rooms, big water tank, watch towers and strong walls and bastions. No temples and ornamental buildings were constructed inside the fort. Over a period ,the fort was conquered by Hyder Ali and later by Tippu sultan. after tippy so death NARGUND came under Peshwas and after fall if marath power in 1818. NARGUND came under East India company. In 19 century it was under maharashtrian chitpavan Brahmin ruler Bhaskar Rao Bhave also known as Babasaheb who was very brave and popular. however he was also a victim of doctrine of lapse .He had no heir to succeed him to the throne. He co ordinated with other provincial rulers of smaller estates of SHORAPUR, MUNDARGI who were impressed the necessity to to rise and fight for independence.he confronted East India company force that came to capture the fort in 1857 having come to known about the intentions and British officer Mason was killed and the british lost the battle. However , they attacked again under major Malcolm and. NARGUND fort was captured. Bhave was arrested at torgal fort and he was later hanged. At Belgavi on. June 12, 1858. The company troops were allowed to loot homes of the people. it is also learnt that some betrayed Bhave to the British at torgal.
NARGUND fort has been neglected by the govt and has free access to every one and consequently vandals and treasure hunters caused lot of damage to the fort. the constructions inside the fort almost disappeared. More over group of windmills have been erected on the hill and some areas had to be destroyed to instal them. govt should improve the fort and rebuild the damaged areas for posterity.a
BEDAS OF HALAGALLI.
The BEDAS of HALAGALLI are known to be highly valiant and freedom loving tribes. the East India company officials passed an order. To hand over and surrender all arms and ammunition if any to the govt and they have to take licence to hold them . Thiscwas much resented by the BEDAS. Most of the so called arms were locally made so ears, knives, bows and arrows, swords , axes etc that are used for hunting wild animals for living. The order was much resented be BEDAS. they rebelled and could not be controlled by the leaders. Company forces attacked BEDAS and bitter battle was fought and BEDAS lost it. In order to creat fear 290 BEDAS were publicly hanged at Mudhol on 11 sept 1857
REVOLTS AT COASTAL KARNATAKA
Revolts took place in dakshan Kannada I,e mangalore and Uttar Kannada I.e Karwar areas. Revolutionaries from sawantwadi in Maharashtra Entered Kannada provinces and the hilly and mountainous areas were protective too their activities and their influence made the difference in jacana raja areas. The company forces found difficult to suppress and the revolts continued for another three years after 1958, finally the Karwar province was attached to Bombay presidency.
there were many revolts by local rulers in Karnataka against company rule even before 1857 that was a culmination to dissatisfaction over company policies. Rani if Kittur revolted in the beginning of the century much before 1857 and there were many sporadic rebellions from time to time that were suppressed. However major wars were fought in north India . the rebellions in South India are invariably not recorded in history books and are neglected . There is a need to correct thus lacuna and also give credit to the South Indian freedom fighters in the 1857 war of independence.
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