The Maratha Period
Nagpur During the Revolt of 1857

What happpened in 1857 in India has been variously described by h9storians as the Revolt of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857, and the War of Independence. The last view that it was a War of independence is borne by the fact that it was an attempt to overthrow the Government of the East India Company which was well-estblished in India. The attempt was sufficiently wide spread. Any attempt to overthrow an established Government is recognised as War of Independence. By virtue of this definition, what happened in 1857 can be considered as the War of Independence.

There was certainly favourable background for an uprising in Nagpur as the memories of annexation of the Raj of the Bhosles, confiscation of their jewellery and public auctioning of their palace property were yet fresh in the public mind. The question of adoption to the Nagpur Gadi was dept pending as late as 1861.

The Nagpur army and the people learnt with excitement the happenings at Meerut, Delhi, lucknow, kanpur and Jhasi. The irregular cavalry at Takli about three miles from Nagpur was much agitated by the news of the rising. It consisted mostly of Muslims who were distrurbed by the recent Government proposal to shift their burial place from the vicinity of the city to an outside spot. In co-operation with some civilians they seem to have hatched a plot. On 13th June at the signal of a fire-balloon it was decided to attack the Residency. But the plot leaked out and failed. Mr. Plowden, the Commissioner, who had known about the Plot ordered a company of the Sitabuldi regiment to move into the city. The irregular cavalry at Takli was dismayed by this action and gave up the attempt of attack. Major Arrow tried to elicit information from the soldiers about the ring-leaders. But none came forward to give out the names. From Kamptee and Nagpur arms numbering over 5,000 were collected from un-authorised persons as a precautionary measure. After an enquiry of the plot Dildar khan, dajadar of the army, and Inayatulla khan, Vilayat Khan and Navab Kadar Khan of the irregular cavalry were tried and executed.

Bakabai during the troubled period summoned all her relations, Brahmins, Sardars, Marathas and Muslims numbering Between 400 and 500 and dissuaded them with threats from any action against the company's Government. This completely chilled the spirit of the public. In 1858, Tatya Tope's presence was reported in the Melghat. He looted Multai. There was no response or agitation in Nagpur. Thus, all was quiet in Nagpur when Nana Pesva, Rani of Zhansi and Tatya Tope were desperately fighting against the British.