British Rule in Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Partition of the Region in 1805

• For authoritative and political reasons, the British decided to divide the region into two parts in 1805. One part was called the Assigned Territories, which was directly under the control of the Company. The other larger part was divided and handed over to different local rulers who were loyal and responsible to the British government.
• The Assigned Territory was made up of various areas including Panipat, Sonipat, Samalkha, Ganaur, Palam, Palwal, Nuh, Nagina, Hathin, FerozpurJhirkha, Sohna and Rewari. An East India Company officer, known as the Resident, was appointed by the Governor General to oversee this region.
• The larger part of Haryana was divided into different princely states and handed over to local rulers who were loyal to the British. However, the people of Haryana did not like outsiders interfering in their affairs, as they are naturally independent-minded.
• As a result, they rebelled against the rulers, particularly the Jats of Rohtak and Ahirs and Meos of Gurgaon. However, by 1809, the British had gained full control over Haryana.
• The year 1833 marked a significant milestone in the history of Haryana as the Bengal Presidency of the East India Company was split into two regions: Bengal and North Western Province.
• The majority of the areas in Haryana and Delhi were grouped together to form one of the six divisions of the North Western Province, known as the Delhi division.
• The Delhi division was further subdivided into seven princely states and five districts. The princely states were Bahadurgarh, Ballabhgarh, Dujana, Farukhnagar, Jhajjar, Loharu, and Pataudi.
• The five districts were Delhi, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Panipat, and Hissar. These districts were further divided into Tehsils, which were then subdivided into Zails.
• The Delhi division was under the authority of a Commissioner instead of a Resident during this period. Some parts of present-day Haryana were not included in the Delhi division, and were considered part of the "upper region".
• The areas of Ambala and Thanesar, as well as the princely states of Buria, Chhachhrauli, and Jind, were part of the upper region. Despite being officially in different regions, the people of the upper region and the Delhi division were closely connected by socio-cultural ties. This administrative structure continued until the 1857 Revolt.

The Mutiny of 1857

• The Enfield rifle, which was introduced in the Indian Army, triggered the Revolt of 1857. The cartridges of this new rifle were greased with a substance that contained cow fat and pig fat. This information spread rapidly among the sepoys of the army, causing both Hindus and Muslims to feel shocked and offended by the use of cow fat and pig grease, respectively.
• The sepoys quickly established panchayats in all units and resolved to socially ostracize any soldier who used the cartridges containing cow and pig fat. This resentment continued to escalate until a rebellion broke out and spread throughout northern India and Bengal. The first military station where the uprising began was Ambala on May 10, 1857.
• The revolt had a significant impact on the entire Haryana region, except for the princely states of Jind, Kalsia, Buria, and some small Jagirs in Ambala and Thanesar. The uprising in Haryana was characterized by widespread public cooperation and peace.
• In June 1857, the entire region of Haryana had become free from British rule. It took almost six months for the British to regain control of the region. The British army's superior artillery and the support of some loyal leaders of the princely states played a significant role in regaining control over Haryana.

The Impact of the Uprising of 1857 in Haryana

• The news of the rebellion in Meerut and Delhi was celebrated throughout Haryana. The regions of Gurgaon, Rohtak, Hissar, Panipat, Thanesar, and Ambala quickly came under the influence of the rebels. People of all religions and classes united to end the foreign rule once and for all. 
• The locals of Haryana were so determined to end British rule that unlike their counterparts in Punjab, all the local leaders of Haryana, including the heads of Jhajjar, Farrukhnagar, Bahadurgarh, Dujana, Ballabhgarh, etc., chose to side with the rebels. It took the British almost six months to regain control of Haryana, aided by their superior weapons and support from some loyal leaders of the royal states.
• Haryana was fortunate to have leaders of great stature and substance during the revolt, such as Sadruddin Mewati in Mewat, Rao Tula Ram in Rewari, Mohammad Azim in Hissar, Gen. Abdus Samad Khan in Jhajjar, Nawab Samad Khan in Sirsa, Ramo Jat in Karnal, and Imam Qalandari in Panipat. Under the leadership of these prominent figures, people from all walks of life, including workers, professionals, and the rich, fought bravely to keep their land free from British rule. Their efforts continued until the fall of Delhi on September 20, 1857.
• After the recapture of Delhi, the British government sent their most skilled officials to regain control of Haryana. The likes of Gen. Van Courtland, Brig.-Gen. Showers, Col. Gerrard, Capt. Drummond, and others launched heavy attacks from all sides. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, the courageous people of Haryana fought fiercely.
• The people of Haryana demonstrated their bravery and determination in the battles of Narnaul, Ballah (Panipat), and Mewat, fought as late as November 1857. Although they were eventually defeated, it is noteworthy that even the victorious British commanders praised their courage and dedication to their cause.

Devastation and Atrocities in Haryana by British

• The British unleashed a terrible wave of terror in Haryana, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. They murdered a large number of people and destroyed property worth many crores of rupees. They burnt down more than eighty villages, with sixty of them being in the Mewat region alone.
• The British brutally suppressed the rebellion, while also destroying many villages and engaging in indiscriminate killings. Following the Revolt of 1857, the British removed Haryana from the northwestern region and merged it with Punjab in February 1858. The district of Haryana was then divided into two divisions, those of Delhi and Hissar.
• The region of Haryana was divided into two divisions after it was combined with Punjab in February 1858. The Delhi division included Delhi, Gurgaon, and Panipat districts, while the Hissar division consisted of Hissar, Sirsa, and Rohtak districts. These areas were further divided into tehsils, zails, and towns. In 1871, the Punjab government ordered the establishment of district committees or ZilaSamitis. The Punjab District Board Act of 1883 granted additional powers to these ZilaSamitis.