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The first war of Independence of 1857 and its effect on Chhattisgarh
The revolt of Sonakhan
The Zamindars of Sonakhan were Binjhwar Rajputs and they received a tax free zamindari from the Kalchuris for military service. This zamindari had 12 villages. Even during the period of the British the Zamindar remained tax free. During the period of Ramraje it was also given a Namnuk of Rs 300 and an additional provision of Rs 90 was made for the protection of Kharod. The British did not get any Takoli from this zamindari but got an annual revenue of 303 rupees and 12 annas. Jenkins has written that te zamindar of Sonakhan displayed anger and opposition to the British for which he as arrested by Captain Maxon. He was later released and his zaindari was returned on the condition that he will not repeat this behaviour. First British Deputy Commissioner Elliot has also written against the zamindar of Sonakhan that information about his cruelty and arrogance used to come to him. After the death of his father Ramai, Narayan Singh took ccharge of the zamindari at the age of 35 years. A severe famine occurred in 1856 and people started dying of hunger. Narayan Singh distributed the food grain kept in the godown of Makhan, a trader of Kasdol to save his people. he hinself sent the information about the incident to the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner considered this to be a crime and summoned Narayan Singh. When Narayan Singh did not appear before the Deputy Commissioner, an arrest warrant was issued. he was arrested with difficulty on 24th October 1856 from Sambalpur and was put in Raipur jail. He escaped from jail after 10 months and 4 days. It is said that the seepoys of British army helped him in the escape. Lieutenant Smith and Napier were sent to search and arrest him. Around this time the famous revolutionary Surendra Sai of Sambalpur had also escaped from Hazaribagh Jail. Narayan Singh made an army of 500 men. The British was helped by the zamindar of Deori and some other zamindars. Narayan Singh attacked the British force near a nallah outside Sonakhan. Meanwhile another force from Katangi came to help Smith. The British Force surrounded the hill on which Narayan Singh was camping. Finally Narayan Singh was arrested and sent to Raipur Jail. The village of Sonakhan was burnt by the British Force. Narayan Singh was given death sentence on 10th December 1958. Makhan was given a compensation of 1377 rupees and 8 annas from the estate of Narayan Singh. The army men were given a reward of Rs 20 each and officers were given a reward of Rs 100 each for catching Narayan Singh. Smith has written about him – Narain Singh fought with a guerrilla war us with great valour, courage and enthusiasm.
The revolt of Surendra Sai of Sambalpur
The king of Sambalpur dies without a heir in 1827. According to the traditions of the State Surendra Sai was his successor. The British however did not allow him to succeed and gave the throne to the widow of the king Mohankumari. When there was opposition by the public they illegally put on the throne, the prince of the Chowhan family of Barpali. Meanwhile Surendra Sai attacked the fort of Rampur to take revenge of the murder of one of his followers and killed its Zamindat Durjansingh. Surendra Sai, his brother Udant Sai and his uncle Balram Sai were given life imprisonment for this crime and were sent to Hazaribagh jail. Surendra Sai escaped on 31st October 1857. Surendra Sai and his family continued to fight the British for many years. He was finally arrested on 23rd January 1864. The Commissioner of Chhattisgarh gave him life imprisonment. In appeal the Judicial Commissioner Campbell cancelled the order on the ground of lack of evidence against him. However he was arrested by the British officers under regulation three of 1818 and sent to Asirgarh Jail where he died on 28th January 1884.
Military revolt in Raipur
The sacrifice of Veer Narain Singh awakened the feelings of revolt against the British in Sepoy Hanuman Singh. Hanuman Singh went to the place where Veer Narain Singh was executed and pledged to take revenge for his death, At that time there was a military cantonment in Raipur which was called the third regular regiment. Thakur Hanuman Singh was Magzien Lascar in this regiment. He was 35 years old in 1857. He hated the British. The commander of this regiment was Major Sidwel. On 18th January 1858 at 7.30 PM Hanuman Singh along with two others entered the bungalow of Sidwel and killed him with his sword. Some sepoys of the artillery and some other sepoys were with Hanuman Singh. They snatched the key of the magazine from the duty Havaldar and took weapons and cartridges. Unfortunately other sepoys did not join Hanuman Singh. Lieutenant Revet and Lieutenant Lucy organized the counter attack. They surrounded hanuman Singh and his companions. They fought for 6 hours but finally when their ammunition ended, they had to surrender. Hanuman Singh could escape but others were arrested. The 17 sepoys who were heroes of this revolt were publicly executed by tying on canons in the police lines of Raipur. Their names are – Havaldar Ghazi Khan and 16 sepoys, Golandaz Shivnarayan, Mulis or Mullu, Abdul Hatyat, Pannalal, Matadin, Balli of Balihu Dubey, Thakur Singh, Akbar Husain, Lalsingh, Parmanand, Badlu (Buddhu), Durgaprasad, Shobharam, Noor Mohammad, Devdeen and Shiv Govind.
Revolt of Udaipur
A branch of Suguja family ruled Udaipur. The king of Udaipur Kalyan Singh and his brother were charged with murder and arrested and their state was occupied by the British. During the revolt of 1857 the king reached Udaipur with his brothers and led a revolt after which he was able to establish his rule for a short time in 1858. He was arrested in 1859 withthe help of the king of Suguja and was deported for like to Andmans. The brother of king of Surguja, Bindeshwari Prasad Singh was given the Udaipur states as a reward for this help.