Role of Kunwar Singh in 1857 Revolt

The cause of the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar was almost the same as that in other parts of India. Bihar played a major role during this revolt. Three of the regiments at Danapur rose up against the company on 25^th July 1857. On 26^th July they marched into the district of Shahabad to join in a well organized movement against British administrative authority under the able leadership of 80 year old Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur. In his strong hold at Jagdishpur, he had established a factory of arms and ammunition and stored provisions to feed an army of 20,000 men for six months. The chief followers of Kunwar Singh were his brother Amar Singh, Rith Narayan Singh, his nephew Nishan Singh, etc.

On 27^th July, Kunwar Singh’s party joined by the troops from Danapur, besieged the British at Arrah. Nearly 500 soldiers, compromising of European and sikh, sent from Danapur under Captain Dinbar for the relief of the beleaguered British garrison at Arrah, had to own defeat on 30^th July and those who survived retreated in utter frustration. British were saved, at this critical situation, by Major Eyre who on his way to Allahabad turned towards Arrah, defeated Kunwar Singh’s forces at Bibigan on 3^rd August and relieved the British garrison. He captured Jagdishpur, destroyed munitions, buildings and even temples. But Kunwar Singh was not deterred. He extended the sphere of his activities far and wide.

Leaders in other parts of Bihar were greatly influenced by Kunwar Singh’s example. He was in correspondence with those who were conducting the movement in these areas, and there was a connecting link between the uprising in Chotanagpur, Shahbad, Tirhut, Bhagalpur and Patna.

Kunwar Singh’s activities crossed the borders of Bihar. He sought to act in cooperation with some of the prominent leaders and rebel troops in other parts of India, viz., Gwalior, Lucknow, Azamgarh, Rewa and so on. Leaving Bihar in August, he moved from place to place fighting against the British troops. In September 1857, Kunwar Singh made an attempt to enter Rewa territory but was opposed by Lt. Osbprne in political employ of the local Raja. Then he went to Banda. From Banda he proceeded to Kalpi, along with Nishan Singh. Joined by the Gwalior troops, they took part in the Battle of Kanpur. In the Battle of Kanpur, Nana Sahab and his allies were defeated. Kunwar Singh, then marched towards Lucknow, where he was presented with a robe of honour, a firman for the district of Azamgarh and twelve thousand rupees in cash by Shah of Oudh. From there he moved to Azamgarh, where he proceeded towards Ghazipur. His plan was then to cross the Ganga and reoccupy Jagdishpur.

On 21^st April 1858 Kunwar Singh fought bravely against the British troops under Brigadier Douglas. He was severely wounded and lost his one arm. He crossed the Ganga at Shivpur Ghat the same night. By 23^rd April 1858 Kunwar Singh was at Jagdishpur. A British force sent towards Jagdishpur under Captain Le Grand against Kunwar Singh suffered a severe repulse in 23^rd April 1858, with heavy losses. Wounded out by fatigue and incessant fighting, he died three days after the victory over Le Grand’s troops. But the followers of Kunwar Singh continued the struggle in different parts of Bihar under the leadership of his brother Amar Singh, Hari Kisan Singh and some other with the active co-operation of Ali Karim. Some of them even set up a parallel government at Jagdishpur. Amar Singh went to Tarai region to assume the leadership of Nana Saheb’s troops. But he was captured in the middle of December 1859.

Thus, Kunwar Singh became immortal. His spirit of nationalism, farsightedness and sacrifice worked as an inspiration for others.

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