**Nana Saheb: The Ruler of Kanpur who called himself Peshwa**

**Background:**
- Nana Saheb, also known as Dhondu Pant, was a prominent leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence.
- He was born in 1824 in Bithoor, near Kanpur, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Nana Saheb was the adopted son of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha Empire.

**Role in the Rebellion:**
- The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a widespread uprising against British rule in India.
- Nana Saheb played a significant role in Kanpur, where he declared himself as the Peshwa, following the annexation of the Maratha Empire by the British East India Company.
- As the Peshwa, he aimed to lead the rebellion against the British and restore the Maratha Empire's glory.
- Nana Saheb's leadership inspired many Indians, and under his command, the rebels in Kanpur inflicted heavy casualties on the British forces.

**Siege of Kanpur:**
- During the rebellion, the British forces, led by General Hugh Wheeler, were besieged in the British garrison in Kanpur.
- Nana Saheb, along with his rebel forces, played a crucial role in the siege.
- The British garrison included women, children, and civilians who sought refuge in the garrison.
- Nana Saheb initially promised safe passage to the besieged British, but the situation deteriorated, leading to a massacre known as the Bibighar Massacre.
- The rebels executed the British captives, including women and children, triggering a brutal retaliation from the British forces.

**Aftermath and Legacy:**
- Despite his initial success, Nana Saheb's rebellion eventually faced setbacks.
- The British forces, reinforced by additional troops, launched a counter-attack and recaptured Kanpur in July 1857.
- Nana Saheb, along with his forces, fled from Kanpur and continued to fight against the British in different parts of North India.
- However, he was never captured, and his fate remains uncertain. Some reports suggest that he died in 1859, while others claim that he escaped to Nepal or Myanmar.
- Nana Saheb's role in the rebellion has made him a prominent figure in Indian history. He is remembered as a symbol of resistance against British rule and the struggle for independence.