1857 revolt hp

Important British officials at the time of the rebellion of 1857-

• Shimla’s deputy commissioner: Lord William Hay
• Superintendent of Hindustan-Tibet Road: Captain David Briggs
• Commander-in-Chief of the British Army: General George Anson
• After the death of General Anson, the new Commander-in-Chief: Sir H. Bernard
• Quarter Master General: Colonel A. Baker
• Chief Commissioner of Punjab: John Lawrence
• Commissioner of Trans Sutlej State: Edward John Lake
• Superintendent Shimla Hill States: Major G.C. Barnes
• Dharamshala police commander: Captain Younghusband
• Deputy Commissioner of Kangra: Reynal Taylor
• Assistant Commissioner of Kasauli: P. Maxwell
• British Commandor of Sirmaur Battalion: Major Charles Reed
• Judicial Commissioner of Punjab: Robert Montgomery

Local Revolutionary and King during the rebellion of 1857 AD

• Leader of the ‘Nasiri Army’ (Jutogh Rebellion) leader: Subedar Bhim Singh
• Leader of Kasauli Rebellion: Daroga Budhi Singh
• King of Bushahr: Shamsher Singh
• Shimla (Spatu resident) leader of the secret organization: Ram Prasad Bairagi
• King of Kahlur: Hirachand
• King of Sirmaur: Shamsher Prakash
• Assistant Administrator of Sirmaur: Kunwar Surjan Singh and Kunwar Veer Singh
• King in Sujanpur Tira: Pratap Chand
• King in Kullu: Kishan Singh and Yuvraj Pratap Singh
• King of Chamba: Shri Singh
• Wazir of Chamba: Mian Avtar Singh
• King of Mandi: Vijay Sen
• Wazir of Mandi: Wazir Goswami

leaders : kasauli : budhi singh (u-u)

Kings and Rulers of Princely States

• Kahlur — Hirachand
  • Trick: Kahlur sounds very similar to Kohinoor. The Kohinoor is the most famous diamond (Hira) that shines like the moon (Chand).
• Chamba — King Shri Singh & Wazir Mian Avtar Singh
  • Trick: Chamba is known as the “Land of Gods” (Shiv Bhumi). Therefore, the King is addressed with the divine prefix Shri, and his Wazir is considered a divine incarnation (Avtar).
• Kullu — King Kishan Singh & Yuvraj Pratap Singh
  • Trick: k-k
• Sujanpur Tira — Pratap Chand
  • Trick: Tira refers to a high hill or fort. To sit on the high Tira of Sujanpur, a ruler needs immense valor and majesty (Pratap).
• Mandi — King Vijay Sen & Wazir Goswami
  • Trick: on man : mind (Mandi), , so u become wise Goswami.

Precursor to 1857 Revolt:

• The hill kings became disillusioned with the British following the Treaty of Lahore(IN FIRST ANGLO SIKH WAR KANGRA hill states supported British ) because the British did not return their old Jagirs.
• During the 2nd anglo-Sikh war of 1848 AD, the princely states of Kangra Hill actively supported the Sikhs against the British.
• In 1848, the hill states of Nurpur, Kangra, Jaswan, and Dattarpur revolted against British rule.
• The Wazir of Nurpur, Ram Singh, and Parmodh Chand of Kangra, along with rulers of Jaswan and
• Datarpur, led the first insurrection but were suppressed by John Lawrence and his forces.
• The rebellious chiefs were captured and banished to Almora, where they were detained as
• political prisoners. Parmodh Chand died there in 1851 AD. However, Ram Singh, the wazir of
• Nurpur, proved to be a difficult person to deal with. He was banished to Singapore, where he later
• passed away

Chronology of 1857 Revolt:

Phase 1: The Initial Spark and Arrival of News

• April 20, 1857: The first spark of the revolt in Himachal Pradesh ignited at the Kasauli military camp when six native soldiers of the Ambala Rifle Depot set fire to a police post.
• May 13, 1857: The first news of the revolt and massacres in Meerut, Ambala, and Delhi arrived in the Shimla region from Ambala.

Phase 2: Refusal of Orders and Mounting Panic

• Early/Mid-May 1857: General George Anson, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, ordered troops from the hill cantonments (Jutogh, Subathu/Sapatu, Dagshai, and Kasauli)—which included the 1st and 2nd Fusiliers and the Gurkha (Gorkha) regiment known as the Nasiri Battalion—to march immediately toward Ambala.
• The Refusal: The native army, specifically the Nasiri Battalion, refused to comply with the order to move.
• Panic in Shimla: Rumors spread that the Gurkha regiment at Jutogh headquarters had mutinied and was coming to “loot Shimla.” This created widespread panic among the British residents. Many English women and children became highly nervous, and several English army officers reportedly failed to show expected courage.
• Failed Negotiations: Deputy Commissioner Lord William Hay sent an emissary, Mian Rattan Singh (uncle of the Raja of Mandi), with a message promising “immediate redressal of their grievances” to pacify the mutineers. The mission was unsuccessful.
• Civilian Evacuation: Fearing an imminent uprising, General Nicholas Penny instructed 800 European men, women, and children to gather for safety—first in the church, and later at the Shimla Bank (Grand Hotel). Lord William Hay admitted his inability to provide security for the civilians.

Phase 3: The Uprising, Escapes, and Encounters

• May 15, 1857: Europeans began seeking shelter across the region.
  • Major General Govanz and his family took refuge with the King of Junga.
  • Colonel Keith Young and Colonel Greathed, along with their families, sought protection from the King of Keonthal. The Raja of Keonthal provided shelter first in his Shimla palace, then at Junga.
  • Others sheltered in the Dagshai soldier barracks, Subathu, Kasauli cantonments, and with the rulers of Dhami, Koti, Balsan, and Baghat.
• Mid-May 1857: The Nasiri Battalion rebelled under the leadership of Subedar Bhim Singh, successfully capturing the Jutogh Cantonment and its treasury.
• May 16, 1857: *
  • The Kasauli Guard Revolt: Indigenous soldiers of the Nasiri unit in Kasauli (numbering about 80 men) launched an attack on the local British army. Captain Blackall and other British personnel managed to escape.
  • March to Jutogh: The Kasauli contingent secured a “huge sum of Government money” from the treasury and marched to join their fellow soldiers at Jutogh. En route, Subedar Bhim Singh’s revolutionary forces robbed arms, seized belongings, and set fire to General George Anson’s lines at Haripur.
  • The Police Mutiny: After the Nasiri army departed Kasauli, the local police guard took control of the revolution under Cantonment police station officer Budhi Singh. They captured the Kasauli treasury and advanced toward Jutogh to fight the British.
  • The Encounter: A skirmish ensued where some revolutionaries were captured or killed, and Budhi Singh ultimately shot himself.
• May 18, 1857: British reinforcements reached Kasauli. This force included Captain Moffat from Dagshai, Captain Brooke, and Carnal Kangrib from Subathu.

Phase 4: Negotiations and the End of the Uprising

• May 24, 1857: The revolutionary Nasiri Army held a crucial meeting at Jutogh, led by Subedar Bhim Singh. They considered proposals from Captain David Briggs (Superintendent of the Hindustan-Tibet Road) and Deputy Commissioner William Hay. Due to a critical lack of support from revolutionaries in Delhi, Meerut, and Ambala, the Jutogh Nasiri army decided to postpone their rebellion.
• May 27, 1857: General George Anson died in Ambala. Sir H. Bernard was appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief.
• May 28, 1857: By this date, native soldiers across Jutogh, Subathu, Kasauli, Dagshai, and Kalka officially decided to abandon the rebellion.
• June 7, 1857: Colonel C.D. Blair of the Shimla Municipal Committee requested Punjab’s Chief Commissioner, John Lawrence, to grant Captain Briggs martial law powers to ensure the ongoing protection of Shimla.

Phase 5: Consolidation of British Control and Loyal State Support

• August 7, 1857: To secure the region, Lord William Hay stationed troops supplied by loyal princely states at key locations like Boileauganj, Bara Bazar, and his personal residence:
  • Bilaspur: 50 well-armed soldiers stationed at Boileauganj Bazar.
  • Sirmaur: 60 soldiers under the command of Kanwar Bir Singh (uncle of the Raja of Sirmaur) posted in Bara Bazar.
  • Keonthal, Dhami, Bhajji, and Koti: The Ranas of these states furnished 60 men.
  • Reserve Force: Mian Jai Singh of Baghal and the Ranas of Keonthal, Dhami, Koti, and Jubbal kept about 250 followers ready in Shimla for any emergency.

Additional Contributions by Hill Chiefs

• Rana Krishan Singh: Guarded the road from Shimla to Jalandhar, a critical route where the 3rd, 31st, and 33rd Bengal regiments had previously revolted.
• Raja Sri Singh of Chamba: Dispatched troops to Dalhousie under the command of Mian Avtar Singh to assist the British.
• Raja Ram Singh of Siba and Raja Jodhbir Chand of Nadaun personally visited the Commissioner to reassure him of their support.

Relevant Regional Activities During the 1857 Rebellion

• Wazir Ram Singh Pathania
  • Wazir Ram Singh Pathania of Nurpur proved to be a formidable opponent (a “tough knife”) for the British forces.
  • He successfully defeated the British in battle at “Dale Ki Dhar” near Shahpur.
  • He was ultimately betrayed and cheated by a Brahman named Pahadchand.
  • Following his capture, Wazir Ram Singh Pathania was sent to Singapore, where he died.
  • Major Bilki (4th NI) and Taylor, with the help of the ‘Sherdil Police Battalion‘, suppressed the Nurpur Revolt.
• Ram Prasad Bairagi
  • Priest in Subathu, Solan.
  • Action: Wrote letters to the Lawyer of Maharaja of Patiala and the Subedar of Nasiri Battalion of Saharanpur.
  • Consequence: Letters were caught by Ambala Commissioner G. C. Barnes. Hence, he was hanged in Ambala Jail.
• Bushahr Estate
  • The Bushahr state actively refused to cooperate with the British during the 1857 rebellion.
  • King Shamsher Singh stopped paying the annual tribute of 15,000 rupees, denied economic or military assistance, and declared his state independent.
  • The state adopted an adverse attitude towards British officers, employees, tourists, and businessmen.
  • Although Shimla’s Deputy Commissioner William Hay and the Political Agent wanted to retaliate, they could not take action due to a lack of available troops and ongoing construction of the Hindustan-Tibet road.
• Sujanpur Tira
  • Action: Raja Pratap Chand was preparing for revolt, but could not execute it.
• Kullu Rebellion
  • Leaders: Yuvraj Pratap Singh and King Kishan Singh
  • Advisor: Veer Singh
  • Context: The British assumed Pratap Singh died in the Battle of Aliwal (1st Anglo-Sikh War). However, on 16 May 1857, Pratap Singh raised a rebellion in Seraj.
  • Outcome: Advisor Veer Singh and Pratap Singh were hanged on 3 August 1857 in Dharamshala.

kings who favoured British :

• Sirmaur
  • Context: King Shamsher Prakash.
  • Event: On May 11, 1857, the Gorkha Troops of the Sirmaur Battalion at Nahan refused to go to Ambala on the orders of General George Anson and revolted.
  • Outcome: Administrators Kunwar Surjan Singh and Veer Singh suppressed it.
• Chamba Estate
  • The citizens of Chamba did not participate in the 1857 revolt.
  • Context: King Shri Singh.
  • Action: On May 16, 1857, he followed the orders of the Chief Commissioner of Punjab, John Lawrence, to protect all roads.
  • Event: The 36th Native Infantry and 61st NI revolted at Jalandhar. When the British fled to Dalhousie, Shri Singh sent Mian Avtar Singh to protect them at Dalhousie
• Mandi Estate
  • Context: King Vijay Sen (10 years old) and Wazir Goswami.
  • Action: On May 16, 1857, followed the orders of the Chief Commissioner of Trans-Sutlej States, Edward John Lake, to send 60 Infantry Troops to Nalagarh.
  • Support Provided:
    • Sent 125 gunmen for the Una Hoshiarpur Rebellion.
    • Sent 60 Infantry troops to Nalagarh (May 16, 1857) under orders from Edward John Lake.
    • Sent 50 soldiers for the Jalandhar Rebellion.
    • Funding: Provided ₹1,25,000 (including ₹15,000 personally).
• Kangra
  • Event: On May 14, 1857, a revolt broke out in Dharamshala.
  • Action: DC Kangra, Major Reynell Taylor, himself occupied the Kangra Fort, which was under Major Petterson (4th NI).
  • Security Measures: On May 23, 1857, Robert Montgomery (Judicial Commissioner of Punjab) stopped the movement of fakirs in the Kangra Region.

End of the 1857 Revolt in Himachal

• By August 14, 1857, the revolution had slowed down across the hill states, including Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, and Nalagarh.
• The aftermath was severe for the local rebels: 50 Himachali revolutionaries were hanged, 500 were jailed, and 30 were expelled with their properties completely confiscated.

Constitutional and Administrative Developments Post-1857

• Following the revolt, the ‘Government of India Act, 1858’ was implemented across India, including Himachal Pradesh.
• On November 1, 1858, Lord Canning announced Queen Victoria’s Declaration in Allahabad.
• This declaration was subsequently published in Shimla and pasted at prominent locations in the city.
• The new 1858 Act established strong control by the British government over the hill areas of Himachal Pradesh.

The New Administrative System in Himachal Pradesh

• Under the new setup, there were two main types of governance in Himachal.
• Punjab Hill States: States such as Nurpur, Kangra, Jaswan, Guler, Sibba, Dattarpur, Kotla, Kullu, Baghal, Lahaul, and Spiti entirely lost their independence and were joined to the British Empire.
  • These areas were organized into a new administrative unit called ‘District Kangra’.
  • The administration of this district was placed under the control of the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra.
• Shimla and Surrounding Areas: Areas including Jutogh, Spatu, Kasauli, Dagshai, Kotkhai, Bharoli, Sanawar, and Shimla city were separated to form ‘District Shimla’, overseen by the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla.
  • The Dalhousie and Bakloh cantonment areas were kept directly under British control.
• Shimla Hill States and Small Thakurais: Smaller native states were governed by native rulers.
  • This grouping included Bushahr, Keonthal, Jubbal, Kumarsain, and numerous other small “thakurais”.
  • Certain areas acted as subjects of larger states (for example, Karangla and Delath were under Bushahr; Rawin and Dhadi were under Jubbal).
  • The rulers of Theog, Ghund, Madhan, Ratesh, and Koti were subjects of the Keonthal kingdom.
  • These Thakurais never had an independent existence. They were dominated by administrators of larger states like Bushahr, Sirmaur, Nalagarh, Keonthal, Bilaspur, and Jubbal.
  • Although they accepted British domination, these princely states retained autonomy in their internal rule. To maintain control, the British appointed a Superintendent and Commissioner of Shimla Hill States.
• Cis-Sutlej States: Princely states like Mandi, Suket, Bilaspur, Chamba, and Kuttlahad continued to be ruled by native kings.
  • A ‘Superintendent of Cis-Sutlej States’ was appointed to oversee British interests.
  • British officers appointed by the Punjab Government controlled these states, acting as political residents and agents.
  • These officers were directly liable to the Viceroy.
  • Under the Government of India Act of 1858, all rulers of the princely states of Himachal were officially granted autonomy in their internal governance.

Rewards and Honors for Supportive Kings

• The earlier rebellion of King Shamsher Singh of Bushahr was deliberately ignored by the British.
• Rana Govardhan Singh of Dhami was forgiven for his past actions.
• The annual pension of Raja Veer Singh of Nurpur was doubled.
• Ranasingh, the rebellious king of Jaswan, was freed from Almora jail and officially conferred a jagir in Jaswan.
• Devi Singh, son of Raja Jagat Singh of Dattarpur, was also released from Almora jail.
• Rana Krishna Singh of Baghal was granted the prestigious title of ‘Raja’, and his brother Jai Singh received a ‘Khillat’.
• Rana Sansarsen of Keonthal was awarded the title of “King” and also conferred a “Khillat”.
• Rulers from Mandi, Sirmaur, Kahlur, Jubbal, and Chamba were similarly honored for their loyalty.