DAYA SAGAR
The Nizam of Hyderabad, Afzal-ud-Daulah, remained loyal to the British and did not join the rebellion. Hyderabad’s forces were used to maintain order in the Deccan and prevent the spread of the revolt to southern India. The Nizam’s support was crucial in ensuring that the rebellion remained confined to northern and central India. Hyderabad’s loyalty helped the British maintain control in the south, freeing up resources to combat rebels like Rani Lakshmi Bai in Central India. The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh (succeeded by Ranbir Singh during the revolt), too supported the British.
The state provided logistical support and troops to aid British efforts in the Punjab and North-West Frontier, ensuring that the rebellion did not gain traction in the region. Jammu and Kashmir’s support bolstered British control in the north, indirectly aiding their campaign against Rani Lakshmi Bai and other rebels. The Wodeyar rulers of Mysore, under Maharaja Ramachandra Wodeyar (with administration largely controlled by British residents), remained loyal to the British. Mysore did not participate in the rebellion and provided resources to maintain British authority in southern India. Mysore’s loyalty ensured that southern India remained largely unaffected by the revolt, allowing the British to focus on suppressing rebels in Central India, including Jhansi. Several Rajput princely states in Rajputana, including Jaipur (under Maharaja Ram Singh II) and Jodhpur (under Maharaja Takht Singh), remained loyal to the British. These states provided troops and resources to suppress the rebellion in Rajasthan and surrounding areas, preventing the revolt from spreading west ward.The loyalty of Rajputana states ensured British control in western India, allowing them to focus on Central India, where Rani Lakshmi Bai was active. The Nawab of Rampur, Kalb Ali Khan, supported the British during the 1857 revolt. Rampur provided troops and resources to aid British efforts in Rohilkhand and surrounding areas, helping to suppress rebel activities. The Nawab was rewarded with the ‘Most Exalted Order of the Star of India’ for his loyalty. Rampur’s support in North India bolstered British efforts, indirectly aiding the campaign against Rani Lakshmi Bai. Sikandar Begum, the regent of Bhopal, was a loyal ally of the British during the 1857 revolt. She provided troops, supplies, and intelligence to assist British forces in Central India, particularly in the Sagar and Narmada territories. Her loyalty was crucial in maintaining British control in the region and was recognized with honors post-rebellion. Bhopal’s support in Central India directly impacted the British campaign against Rani Lakshmi Bai, as it strengthened their position in the region.
Maharaja Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh of Rewa: Sided with the British, contributing to stability in Central India, though less directly involved with Rani Lakshmi Bai. And like. Annual Administrative report of The Jammu and Kashmir State for the Samvat1997-98 ( 16th Oct 1940-15th oct 1941) released in 1942 : Lieutenant -General His Highness Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shri Hari singh ji Bahadur Inadar Mahindar, Sipar-I- SALTNAT-E- INGLISHIA Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir : Reads on page-22< In 1856 , the Maharaja’shealth began to FaiAt the our break of the Mutiny – 1857, when he was on his death bed he called his Council and sent a Contingent of 2000 infantry, 200 cavalry and six guns under the command of his son and heir- apparent , Sri Ranbir Singhji. The Maharaja died in August 1857, at the age of 66 before the Mutiny had been finally quelled. For the . brave part played by the state forces in putting down the Mutiny, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, who succeeded his father ,was offered a Jagir in Oudh, which he declined declaring that he had acted as a loyal friend and ally of the British.>
The rulers of Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, J&K and Rewa-Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia, Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar II, Sikander Begum,Maharaja Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh, respectively-were key British allies during the 1857 rebellion, particularly in Central India, where they supported efforts against Rani Lakshmi Bai. Their actions, ranging from military assistance to maintaining loyalty, were instrumental in the British suppression of the revolt, highlighting the divided loyalties among Indian rulers during this period. The ruler of Sampla also supported the British during the revolt, The ruler of Jind sided with the British and helped suppress the rebellion, The ruler of Kapurthala also sided with the British, The ruler of Nabha sided with the British during the revolt, The ruler of Loharu provided troops and supplies to the British, Theruler of Jodhpur provided support to the British.
Princely states, such as Travancore and smaller Rajputana kingdoms, also abstained from the rebellion but played less direct roles in the context of Jhansi. Some rulers, like Holkar of Indore, exhibited complex behavior, with initial rebel support from their troops but ultimate loyalty to the British, reflecting the nuanced political dynamics of the time.
Whereas there were others who suffered huge losses / lost their empires / royal titles in the Revolt of 1857 like Bahadur Shah II (also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar): The last Mughal emperor of India, who played a significant role in leading the revolt and was exiled to Burma after the British suppressed the uprising; & Wajid Ali Shah: The Nawab of Awadh, known for his patronage of arts and culture, who was deposed and exiled to Calcutta after the British regained control; some sources mention Nana Saheb also as one of the rulers who lost his title though on immediate historical records Wajid Ali Shah is more commonly associated with the loss of royal title alongside Bahadur Shah II.
To be continued
(The writer is a senior journalist and analyst of J&K Affairs, can be reached at dayasagr45@yahoo.com)