Revolt of 1857 in Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

The Unsung Contribution of Haryana in India's Independence Struggle

• Prior to its formation in 1966, Haryana was a part of Punjab, and hence the struggle for independence is often associated with Punjab. However, the sacrifices made by the people of Haryana and the significant events that took place there during the freedom movement remain largely unknown.
• Many of the roads that led to India's independence on the midnight of August 14-15, 1947, passed through Haryana. The magical moment of India's tryst with destiny, which gave us freedom from British rule, was the result of the hard work of countless Indians across the country, including Haryana.
• Haryana holds a significant place in the development of Indian history. Even from the time of the Mahabharata, a large part of the epic took place in what is now known as Haryana, with Kurukshetra being the site of the great battle between good and evil. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that throughout history, Haryana has been a site of many battles.

Ambala: The Birthplace of India's First War of Independence

• The first rebellion against British rule, which marked the beginning of the struggle for independence, took place on May 10, 1857, in Ambala. It was here that the soldiers of the Native Infantry initiated the revolt by protesting the use of animal fat on the cartridges, which they had to bite off to load their rifles. 
• On the same day, a similar revolt broke out in the Native Infantry stationed at Meerut. The incident quickly spread to all parts of Haryana, which soon came to be known as the site of the first Battle for Independence.
• In due course, the laborers, soldiers of the British Army at the time, and local leaders all united under the leadership of a Pinaghwa Meo laborer named Sadruddin.
• Local leaders such as Rao Tula Ram and his cousin Gopal Dev came forward to support the rebellion. Soon, General Abdus Samad Khan, Muhammad Azim Beg, Rao Kishan Singh, Rao Ram Lal, and others joined the movement to revolt against the British.
• It is important to note that the common workers, local soldiers, and leaders of Haryana were at the forefront of this rebellion, while the leaders of neighboring regions did not speak out against the British Raj during this brief but significant event in Indian history. Like other parts of Haryana that rose in revolt, Rohtak also witnessed a violent uprising, with all symbols of British Raj being attacked and destroyed.

Bisarat Ali and Sabar Khan: Leaders of the Revolt in Kharkhauda

• Bisarat Ali, a Risaldar in the British Army from Kharkhauda, took charge of the revolt along with Sabar Khan, a local worker leader. The local people joined forces and began attacking British property and residents. 
• They soon attacked Rohtak. William Loch, the Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak District, had to leave Rohtak while the Tehsildar, Bakhtawar Singh, and Thanedar, Bhure Khan, were killed. Eventually, on August 15, 1857, Lt W.S.R. Hodson, supported by Major General Wilson, arrived with reinforcements and superior arms to confront the locals who had revolted in Kharkhauda.
• Despite offering strong resistance, the rebels were ultimately defeated and Bisarat Ali was killed in the battle. They then proceeded to Rohtak District to confront Sabar Khan, who was leading the revolt there. Sabar Khan and the local workers of Rohtak fought back with the limited resources they had, but Rohtak eventually fell. 
• Meanwhile, the local people of Hissar, Hansi, and Sirsa were in revolt under the leadership of Lala Hukam Chand Jain, his nephew Faqir Chand Jain, Meena Beg, Mohammed Azim, Nur Muhammad, who all led the rebellion.
• On May 29th, 1857, they executed 12 Europeans, including the Deputy Commissioner of Hissar, John Wedderburn, along with his wife and child. Such was the resentment against the British Raj. During the brief revolt, apart from a few parts of Ambala, Thanesar, and Jind state, most of the remaining areas of Haryana faced the British and stopped paying revenues in resistance. However, by November 16th of that year, the revolt ended, and the British consolidated their hold.

Rebellion in Haryana

• The rebellion in Haryana was even more intense. The region was relatively underdeveloped and faced frequent famines due to the exploitation by the colonial rulers, which led to the death of countless people and livestock every year. As a result, there was widespread dissatisfaction and discontent against the British in Haryana.
• The news of the rebellion in Meerut and Delhi was met with delight throughout the state. The districts of Gurgaon, Rohtak, Hissar, Panipat, Thanesar, and Ambala quickly fell under the influence of the revolutionaries. People from all religious affiliations and social classes came together to put an end to the oppressive British rule. Unlike their Punjab counterparts, all the local leaders of Haryana, including the heads of Jhajjar, Farrukhnagar, Bahadurgarh, Dujana, Ballabhgarh, and others, decided to support the rebels because of the strong popular anger against foreign rule in the region.
• Haryana was fortunate to have leaders like Sadruddin Mewati, Rao Tula Ram, Mohammad Azim, Gen. AbdusSamad Khan, NawabSamad Khan, RamoJat, and Imam Qalandari, who had stature and substance. They led the worker, the doctor, the poor, and the rich, and they fought bravely. These leaders helped the people of Haryana to keep their land free until the fall of Delhi on September 20, 1857.
• After recapturing Delhi, the British appointed their most skilled commanders to bring Haryana "under control." These commanders included Gen. Van Courtland, Brig.- Gen. Showers, Col. Gerrard, Capt. Drummond, and others who launched heavy attacks from all sides. 
• Despite the unfavorable circumstances, the brave people of Haryana fought fiercely in battles such as Narnaul, Ballah (Panipat), and Mewat fought as late as November 1857, showcasing their true resilience. Although they were eventually defeated, it is noteworthy that even the victors praised their courage and loyalty to the cause they were fighting for.
• The British unleashed a reign of terror in Haryana, causing immense loss of life and property. They burnt down over eighty villages, with sixty of them being in the Mewat region alone. The total cost of the damage was worth crores of rupees.