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{{distinguish|Nanasaheb Peshwa|Nana Fadnavis}} | {{distinguish|Nanasaheb Peshwa|Nana Fadnavis}} | ||
{{ | {{Short description|Indian aristocrat (1824–1859)}} | ||
{{Overly detailed|date=September 2022}} | |||
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} | {{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}} | ||
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| successor1 = <i>position extinct but Bajirao III succeeded as nominal [[Peshwa]]</i> | | successor1 = <i>position extinct but Bajirao III succeeded as nominal [[Peshwa]]</i> | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|1824|5|19}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|1824|5|19}} | ||
| birth_place = Venu, [[Maharashtra]] | | birth_place = Venu, [[Indore State| Holkar State]] <br/> (modern day [[Nashik]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]) | ||
| death_date = {{death date|1859|9|24}} (aged 35) (disputed) | | death_date = {{death date|1859|9|24}} (aged 35) (disputed) | ||
| death_place = [[Naimisha Forest]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]] | | death_place = [[Naimisha Forest]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]] | ||
| children | | children = Bayabai, [[Peshwa]] Bajirao III, [[Peshwa]] Sanjeevrao Bhau | ||
| birth_name = Dhondu Pant | | birth_name = Dhondu Pant | ||
| parents = [[Bajirao II]] (father) (adoptive) <br/> | |||
Saraswati Bai (mother) | |||
| spouse = Gopikabai | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Nana Saheb Peshwa II''' (19 May 1824 – 24 September 1859), born as '''Dhondu Pant''', was an Indian [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha empire]], aristocrat and fighter, who led the [[Siege of Cawnpore|rebellion in Kanpur]] ([[Cawnpore]]) during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Great Revolt of 1857]]. As the adopted son of the exiled [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]], Nana Saheb believed that he was entitled to a pension from the [[East India Company]], but the underlying contractual issues are rather murky. The Company's refusal to continue the pension after his father's death, as well as what he perceived as high-handed policies, led him to join the rebellion. He forced the British garrison in Kanpur to surrender, then murdered the survivors, gaining control of Kanpur for a few days. He later disappeared, after his forces were defeated by a British force that recaptured Kanpur. He | '''Nana Saheb Peshwa II''' (19 May 1824 – 24 September 1859), born as '''Dhondu Pant''', was an Indian [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha empire]], aristocrat and fighter, who led the [[Siege of Cawnpore|rebellion in Kanpur]] ([[Cawnpore]]) during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Great Revolt of 1857]]. As the adopted son of the exiled [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]], Nana Saheb believed that he was entitled to a pension from the [[East India Company]], but the underlying contractual issues are rather murky. The Company's refusal to continue the pension after his father's death, as well as what he perceived as high-handed policies, led him to join the rebellion. He forced the British garrison in Kanpur to surrender, then murdered the survivors, gaining control of Kanpur for a few days. He later disappeared, after his forces were defeated by a British force that recaptured Kanpur. He later fled to [[Naimisha Forest]] in Nepal where he was said to have died in 1859. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
{{unreferenced section|date= August 2022}} | |||
Nana was born on 19 May 1824 as '''Nana Govind Dhondu Pant''', to Narayan Bhat and Ganga Bai. | Nana was born on 19 May 1824 as '''Nana Govind Dhondu Pant''', to Narayan Bhat and Ganga Bai. | ||
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The [[Doctrine of lapse]] was an annexation policy devised by [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|Lord Dalhousie]], who was the British [[Governor-General of India]] between 1848 and 1856. According to the Doctrine, any princely state or territory under the direct influence (paramountcy) of the British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent), as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a direct heir".<ref name="keay">[[John Keay|Keay, John]]. ''India: a history''. New York: Grove Press Books, distributed by Publishers Group West. 2000 {{ISBN|0-8021-3797-0}}, p. 433.</ref> The latter supplanted the long-established legal right of an Indian sovereign without an heir to choose a successor. In addition, the British were to decide whether potential rulers were competent enough. The doctrine and its application were widely regarded by Indians as illegitimate. At that time, the Company had absolute, imperial administrative jurisdiction over many regions spread over the subcontinent. The company took over the princely states of [[Satara (city)|Satara]] (1848), [[Jaitpur]] and [[Sambalpur]] (1849), Baghat (1850), [[Nagpur]] (1853), and [[Jhansi]] (1854) using this doctrine. The British took over [[Awadh]] (Oudh) (1856) claiming that the local ruler was not ruling properly. The Company added about four million pounds sterling to its annual revenue by the use of this doctrine.<ref name="wolpert">Wolert, Stanley. ''A New History of India'' (3rd ed., 1989), pp. 226–28. Oxford University Press.</ref> With the increasing power of the East India Company, discontent simmered amongst sections of Indian society and the largely indigenous armed [[Jhansi]] forces; these joined with members of the deposed dynasties during the Indian rebellion of 1857. | The [[Doctrine of lapse]] was an annexation policy devised by [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|Lord Dalhousie]], who was the British [[Governor-General of India]] between 1848 and 1856. According to the Doctrine, any princely state or territory under the direct influence (paramountcy) of the British East India Company (the dominant imperial power in the subcontinent), as a vassal state under the British Subsidiary System, would automatically be annexed if the ruler was either "manifestly incompetent or died without a direct heir".<ref name="keay">[[John Keay|Keay, John]]. ''India: a history''. New York: Grove Press Books, distributed by Publishers Group West. 2000 {{ISBN|0-8021-3797-0}}, p. 433.</ref> The latter supplanted the long-established legal right of an Indian sovereign without an heir to choose a successor. In addition, the British were to decide whether potential rulers were competent enough. The doctrine and its application were widely regarded by Indians as illegitimate. At that time, the Company had absolute, imperial administrative jurisdiction over many regions spread over the subcontinent. The company took over the princely states of [[Satara (city)|Satara]] (1848), [[Jaitpur]] and [[Sambalpur]] (1849), Baghat (1850), [[Nagpur]] (1853), and [[Jhansi]] (1854) using this doctrine. The British took over [[Awadh]] (Oudh) (1856) claiming that the local ruler was not ruling properly. The Company added about four million pounds sterling to its annual revenue by the use of this doctrine.<ref name="wolpert">Wolert, Stanley. ''A New History of India'' (3rd ed., 1989), pp. 226–28. Oxford University Press.</ref> With the increasing power of the East India Company, discontent simmered amongst sections of Indian society and the largely indigenous armed [[Jhansi]] forces; these joined with members of the deposed dynasties during the Indian rebellion of 1857. | ||
Under the Peshwa's will Nana Saheb was, through his adoption, heir-presumptive to the Maratha's throne, and eligible for his adoptive father's continuing annual pension of £80,000 from the East India Company. However, after the death of Baji Rao II, the Company stopped the pension on the grounds that the Nana was not a natural born heir and that the kingdom no longer existed. The Nana, while still wealthy, was greatly offended by both the termination of the pension and by the suspension of various titles and grants that had been retained by Baji Rao in exile. Accordingly, Nana Saheb sent an envoy ([[Azimullah Khan]]) to England in 1853 to plead his case with the British Government. However, Azimullah Khan was unable to convince the British to resume the pension, and he returned to India in 1855. | Under the Peshwa's will Nana Saheb was, through his adoption, heir-presumptive to the Maratha's throne, and eligible for his adoptive father's continuing annual pension of £80,000 from the East India Company.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} However, after the death of Baji Rao II, the Company stopped the pension on the grounds that the Nana was not a natural born heir and that the kingdom no longer existed. The Nana, while still wealthy, was greatly offended by both the termination of the pension and by the suspension of various titles and grants that had been retained by Baji Rao in exile.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Accordingly, Nana Saheb sent an envoy ([[Azimullah Khan]]) to England in 1853 to plead his case with the British Government. However, Azimullah Khan was unable to convince the British to resume the pension, and he returned to India in 1855.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
== Role in the 1857 uprising == | == Role in the 1857 uprising == | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
After taking possession of the Company treasury, Nana advanced up the [[Grand Trunk Road]] stating that he wanted to restore the [[Maratha confederacy]] under the [[Peshwa]] tradition, and decided to capture Kanpur. On his way, Nana met the rebel Company soldiers at [[Kalianpur|Kalyanpur]]. The soldiers were on their way to Delhi, to meet [[Bahadur Shah II]]. Nana wanted them to go back to Kanpur | After taking possession of the Company treasury, Nana advanced up the [[Grand Trunk Road]] stating that he wanted to restore the [[Maratha confederacy]] under the [[Peshwa]] tradition, and decided to capture Kanpur. On his way, Nana met the rebel Company soldiers at [[Kalianpur|Kalyanpur]]. The soldiers were on their way to Delhi, to meet [[Bahadur Shah II]]. Nana wanted them to go back to Kanpur and help him defeat the British. The soldiers were reluctant at first, but decided to join Nana when he promised to double their pay and reward them with gold, if they were to destroy the British entrenchment. | ||
===Attack on Wheeler's entrenchment=== | ===Attack on Wheeler's entrenchment=== | ||
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On 5 June 1857, Nana Saheb sent a letter to General Wheeler informing him to expect an attack next morning at 10 am. On 6 June, his forces (including the rebel soldiers) attacked the Company entrenchment at 10:30 am. The Company forces were not adequately prepared for the attack but managed to defend themselves as the attacking forces were reluctant to enter the entrenchment. The Indian forces had been led to believe that the entrenchment had [[gunpowder]]-filled trenches that would explode if they got closer.<ref name="britishempire_cawnpore"/> The Company side held out in their makeshift fort for three weeks with little water and food supplies, and lost many lives due to sunstroke and lack of water. | On 5 June 1857, Nana Saheb sent a letter to General Wheeler informing him to expect an attack next morning at 10 am. On 6 June, his forces (including the rebel soldiers) attacked the Company entrenchment at 10:30 am. The Company forces were not adequately prepared for the attack but managed to defend themselves as the attacking forces were reluctant to enter the entrenchment. The Indian forces had been led to believe that the entrenchment had [[gunpowder]]-filled trenches that would explode if they got closer.<ref name="britishempire_cawnpore"/> The Company side held out in their makeshift fort for three weeks with little water and food supplies, and lost many lives due to sunstroke and lack of water. | ||
As the news of advances over the British garrison spread, more rebel sepoys joined Nana Saheb. By 10 June, he was believed to be leading around twelve thousand to fifteen thousand Indian soldiers.<ref name="caleb_wright_historic">{{cite book | last = | As the news of advances over the British garrison spread, more rebel sepoys joined Nana Saheb. By 10 June, he was believed to be leading around twelve thousand to fifteen thousand Indian soldiers.<ref name="caleb_wright_historic">{{cite book|last=Wright|first=Caleb|url=https://archive.org/details/historicinciden00braigoog|title=Historic Incidents and Life in India|publisher=J. A. Brainerd|year=1863|isbn=978-1-135-72312-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/historicinciden00braigoog/page/n328 241]}}</ref> During the first week of the siege, Nana Saheb's forces encircled the attachment, created [[embrasure|loopholes]] and established firing positions from the surrounding buildings. The defending Captain John Moore retaliated and launched night-time [[sortie]]s. Nana Saheb then withdrew his headquarters to Savada House (or Savada ''Kothi''), which was situated around two miles away. In response to Moore's sorties, Nana Saheb decided to attempt a direct assault on the British entrenchment, but the rebel soldiers displayed a lack of enthusiasm.<ref name="britishempire_cawnpore"/> | ||
The [[sniper]] fire and the [[bombardment]] continued until 23 June 1857 | The [[sniper]] fire and the [[bombardment]] continued until 23 June 1857 One of the driving forces of the rebellion by sepoys, was a prophecy that predicted the downfall of East India Company rule exactly one hundred years after this battle.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mukherjee |first=Rudrangshu |author-link=Rudrangshu Mukherjee |date=August 1990 |title='Satan Let Loose upon Earth': The Kanpur Massacres in India in the Revolt of 1857 |journal=Past & Present |publisher=Oxford University Press |volume=128 |issue=128 |pages=92–116 |doi=10.1093/past/128.1.92 |jstor=651010}}</ref> This prompted the rebel soldiers under Nana Saheb to launch a major attack on the entrenchment on 23 June 1857. However, they were unable to gain an entry into the entrenchment by the end of the day.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
The entrenchment had been steadily losing its soldiers and civilians to successive [[bombardment]]s, sniper fire, and assaults from the attackers. It was also suffering from disease and low supplies of food, water and medicine. General Wheeler's personal morale had been low, after his son Lieutenant Gordon Wheeler was decapitated in an assault on the barracks.<ref name="britishempire_cawnpore"/> | The entrenchment had been steadily losing its soldiers and civilians to successive [[bombardment]]s, sniper fire, and assaults from the attackers. It was also suffering from disease and low supplies of food, water and medicine. General Wheeler's personal morale had been low, after his son Lieutenant Gordon Wheeler was decapitated in an assault on the barracks.<ref name="britishempire_cawnpore"/> | ||
Nana Saheb and his advisers came up with a plan to end the deadlock. On 24 June, he sent a female European prisoner, Rose Greenway, to the entrenchment to convey their message. In return for a surrender, he promised the safe passage of the Europeans to the Satichaura Ghat, a dock on the Ganges from which they could depart for [[Allahabad]].<ref name="caleb_wright_historic"/> General Wheeler rejected the offer, because it had not been signed, and there was no guarantee that the offer was made by Nana Saheb himself. | Nana Saheb and his advisers came up with a plan to end the deadlock. On 24 June, he sent a female European prisoner, Rose Greenway, to the entrenchment to convey their message. In return for a surrender, he promised the safe passage of the Europeans to the Satichaura Ghat, a dock on the Ganges from which they could depart for [[Allahabad]].<ref name="caleb_wright_historic"/> General Wheeler rejected the offer, because it had not been signed, and there was no guarantee that the offer was made by Nana Saheb himself.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
Next day, on 25 June, Nana Saheb sent a second note, signed by himself, through another female prisoner, Mrs.Jacobi. The entrenchment divided into two groups with different opinions—one group was in favour of continuing the defence, while the second group was willing to accept the offer. During the next day, there was no bombardment from Nana Saheb's forces. Finally, Wheeler decided to surrender, in return for a safe passage to Allahabad. After a day of preparation and burying their dead, the Europeans decided to leave for Allahabad on the morning of 27 June 1857. | Next day, on 25 June, Nana Saheb sent a second note, signed by himself, through another female prisoner, Mrs.Jacobi.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} The entrenchment divided into two groups with different opinions—one group was in favour of continuing the defence, while the second group was willing to accept the offer. During the next day, there was no bombardment from Nana Saheb's forces. Finally, Wheeler decided to surrender, in return for a safe passage to Allahabad. After a day of preparation and burying their dead, the Europeans decided to leave for Allahabad on the morning of 27 June 1857.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
===Satichaura Ghat massacre=== | ===Satichaura Ghat massacre=== | ||
[[File:Massacre in the boats off Cawnpore - The history of the Indian Mutiny (1858-1859), opposite 336 - BL.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A contemporary image of the massacre at the Satichaura Ghat]] | [[File:Massacre in the boats off Cawnpore - The history of the Indian Mutiny (1858-1859), opposite 336 - BL.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A contemporary image of the massacre at the Satichaura Ghat]] | ||
[[File:On 27 June 1857, Europeans who had been promised safe passage from Wheeler's entrenchment arrived at the Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty) to take the boat out when Nana Sahib's army ambushed them and killed many.jpg|thumb|Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty)]] | [[File:On 27 June 1857, Europeans who had been promised safe passage from Wheeler's entrenchment arrived at the Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty) to take the boat out when Nana Sahib's army ambushed them and killed many.jpg|thumb|Sati Chaura Ghat (jetty)]] | ||
On the morning of | On the morning of 27 June, Wheeler's column, consisting primarily of unarmed civilians and including more than 300 women and children, emerged from the entrenchment. Nana sent a number of carts, [[palanquin|dolis]] and elephants to enable the women, the children and the sick to proceed to the river banks. The Company officers and military men were allowed to take their arms and ammunition with them, and were escorted by nearly the whole of the rebel army.<ref name="caleb_wright_historic"/> They reached the [[Satichaura Ghat]] by 8 am. At this ghat, Nana Saheb had arranged around 40 boats, belonging to a boatman called Hardev Mallah, for their departure to Allahabad.<ref name="financialexpress_echoes">{{cite web | ||
|url = http://www.financialexpress.com/old/fe_full_story.php?content_id=160464 | |url = http://www.financialexpress.com/old/fe_full_story.php?content_id=160464 | ||
|title = Echoes of a Distant war | |title = Echoes of a Distant war | ||
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|df = dmy-all | |df = dmy-all | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
However, Nana Saheb's rebels had deliberately placed the boats as high in the mud as possible to delay the boarding, and the Europeans found it difficult to drift the boats away.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wright, C. & J. A. Brainerd|title=Historic Incidents and Life in India|year=1863|pages=241}}</ref> Wheeler and his party were the first aboard and the first to manage to set their boat adrift. At this point three shots were fired from the direction of Nana Saheb's camp, which was the signal to initiate the attack. The Indian boatmen jumped overboard and started swimming toward the banks.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} However, according to Mowbray Thompson, one of the few survivors of the massacre, before the boatmen jumped overboard they had "contrived to secrete burning charcoal in the thatch of most of the boats", which set some of the boats ablaze.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thompson|first=Mowbray|title=The Cawnpore Man|publisher=Leonaur|year=1859|isbn=978-1-84677-573-4|pages=93}}</ref> Though controversy surrounds what exactly happened next at the Satichaura Ghat, the departing Europeans were attacked by the rebel sepoys, and most of were either killed or captured.<ref name="caleb_wright_historic" /> | |||
Some of the Company officers later claimed that Nana had placed the boats as high in the mud as possible, on purpose to cause delay. They also claimed that Nana had previously arranged for the rebels to fire upon and kill all the Europeans. Although the East India Company later accused Nana of betrayal and murder of innocent people, no definitive evidence has ever been found to prove that Nana had pre-planned or ordered the massacre.<ref>{{cite book | Some of the Company officers later claimed that Nana had placed the boats as high in the mud as possible, on purpose to cause delay. They also claimed that Nana had previously arranged for the rebels to fire upon and kill all the Europeans.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Although the East India Company later accused Nana of betrayal and murder of innocent people, no definitive evidence has ever been found to prove that Nana had pre-planned or ordered the massacre.<ref>{{cite book | ||
| last = Hibbert | | last = Hibbert | ||
| first = Christopher | | first = Christopher | ||
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===Bibighar massacre=== | ===Bibighar massacre=== | ||
The surviving women and children, around 120 in number, were moved from the Savada House to Bibighar ("the House of the Ladies"), a villa-type house in Kanpur. They were later joined by some other women and children, the survivors from Wheeler's boat. Another group of women and children from [[Fatehgarh]], and some other captive women were also confined in Bibighar. In total, there were around 200 women and children there. | The surviving women and children, around 120 in number, were moved from the Savada House to Bibighar ("the House of the Ladies"), a villa-type house in Kanpur.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} They were later joined by some other women and children, the survivors from Wheeler's boat. Another group of women and children from [[Fatehgarh]], and some other captive women were also confined in Bibighar. In total, there were around 200 women and children there.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
Nana Saheb deputed a [[tawaif]] ([[nautch]] girl) called Hussaini Khanum (also known as Hussaini Begum) to care for these survivors. He decided to use these prisoners in bargaining with the East India Company. The Company forces consisting of around 1,000 British, 150 [[Sikh]] soldiers and 30 irregular cavalry had set out from Allahabad, under the command of General [[Henry Havelock]], to retake Cawnpore and Lucknow. Havelock's forces were later joined by the forces under the command of Major Renaud and [[James George Smith Neil|James Neil]]. Nana demanded that the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] forces under Havelock and Neil retreat to Allahabad. However, the Company forces advanced relentlessly towards Cawnpore. Nana sent an army to check their advance, and the two armies met at [[Fatehpur, Fatehpur|Fattehpore]] on 12 July, where General Havelock's forces emerged victorious and captured the town. | Nana Saheb deputed a [[tawaif]] ([[nautch]] girl) called Hussaini Khanum (also known as Hussaini Begum) to care for these survivors.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} He decided to use these prisoners in bargaining with the East India Company.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} The Company forces consisting of around 1,000 British, 150 [[Sikh]] soldiers and 30 irregular cavalry had set out from Allahabad, under the command of General [[Henry Havelock]], to retake Cawnpore and Lucknow. Havelock's forces were later joined by the forces under the command of Major Renaud and [[James George Smith Neil|James Neil]].{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Nana demanded that the [[British East India Company|East India Company]] forces under Havelock and Neil retreat to Allahabad. However, the Company forces advanced relentlessly towards Cawnpore. Nana sent an army to check their advance, and the two armies met at [[Fatehpur, Fatehpur|Fattehpore]] on 12 July, where General Havelock's forces emerged victorious and captured the town.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
Nana then sent another force under the command of his brother, Bala Rao. On 15 July, the British forces under General Havelock defeated Bala Rao's army in the [[Battle of Aong]]. On 16 July, Havelock's forces started advancing to Kanpur. During the Battle of Aong, Havelock was able to capture some of the rebel soldiers, who informed him that there was an army of 5,000 rebel soldiers with 8 artillery pieces further up the road. Havelock decided to launch a [[flanking maneuver|flank attack]] on this army, but the rebel soldiers spotted the flanking manoeuvre and opened fire. The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, but cleared the road to Kanpur for the Company forces. | Nana then sent another force under the command of his brother, Bala Rao. On 15 July, the British forces under General Havelock defeated Bala Rao's army in the [[Battle of Aong]]. On 16 July, Havelock's forces started advancing to Kanpur.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} During the Battle of Aong, Havelock was able to capture some of the rebel soldiers, who informed him that there was an army of 5,000 rebel soldiers with 8 artillery pieces further up the road. Havelock decided to launch a [[flanking maneuver|flank attack]] on this army, but the rebel soldiers spotted the flanking manoeuvre and opened fire. The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, but cleared the road to Kanpur for the Company forces.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
By this time, it became clear that the Company forces were approaching Kanpur, and Nana's bargaining attempts had failed. Nana was informed that the British troops led by Havelock and Neil were committing violence against the Indian villagers.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} Nana ,and his associates , debated about what to do with the captives at Bibighar. Some of Nana's advisers had already decided to murder the captives at Bibighar, as revenge for the murders of Indians by the advancing British forces. | By this time, it became clear that the Company forces were approaching Kanpur, and Nana's bargaining attempts had failed. Nana was informed that the British troops led by Havelock and Neil were committing violence against the Indian villagers.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} Nana ,and his associates , debated about what to do with the captives at Bibighar. Some of Nana's advisers had already decided to murder the captives at Bibighar, as revenge for the murders of Indians by the advancing British forces. | ||
Finally, on 15 July, Nana Saheb gave an order to murder the women and children imprisoned at Bibighar. Before their deaths, some women asked some time for their prayers, and the demand was granted. After the prayers, the captives were killed and the bodies, including some who were still alive, were thrown into a well near the Bibighar. | Nana Sahib, and his associates, including [[Tatya Tope]] and [[Azimullah Khan]], debated about what to do with the captives at Bibighar.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Some of Nana Sahib's advisors had already decided to kill the captives at Bibighar, as revenge for the executions of Indians by the advancing British forces. The women of Nana Sahib's household opposed the decision and went on a [[hunger strike]], but their efforts went in vain.<ref name="chilit_vs_saxena">{{cite web|url = http://www.chilit.org/SAXENA1.HTM|title = Revolt and Revenge; a Double Tragedy (delivered to The Chicago Literary Club)|author = V. S. "Amod" Saxena|date = 17 February 2003|access-date = 11 July 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070805225742/http://www.chilit.org/SAXENA1.HTM|archive-date = 5 August 2007|df = dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
Finally, on 15 July, Nana Saheb gave an order to murder the women and children imprisoned at Bibighar. Before their deaths, some women asked some time for their prayers, and the demand was granted. After the prayers, the captives were killed and the bodies, including some who were still alive, were thrown into a well near the Bibighar.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | |||
===Recapture of Kanpur by the British=== | ===Recapture of Kanpur by the British=== | ||
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|df = dmy-all}}</ref> | |df = dmy-all}}</ref> | ||
[[File:NanaSahib'sSword.JPG|thumb|280x280px|Provenance: This sword belonged to the Nana who was held responsible by the British for the massacre at Kanpur during the Indian mutiny in 1857, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Brigadier Major Henry Templer who commanded the 7th Regiment Bengal Infantry.]] On 19 July, General Havelock resumed operations at Bithoor, | [[File:NanaSahib'sSword.JPG|thumb|280x280px|Provenance: This sword belonged to the Nana who was held responsible by the British for the massacre at Kanpur during the Indian mutiny in 1857, it subsequently passed into the ownership of Brigadier Major Henry Templer who commanded the 7th Regiment Bengal Infantry.]] | ||
On 19 July, General Havelock resumed operations at Bithoor, though Nana Saheb had already escaped.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Major Stevenson led a group of [[Madras Fusiliers]] and Sikh soldiers to Bithoor and occupied Nana Sahib's palace without any resistance.<ref>{{cite book | title = Nana Sahib and the rising at Cawnpore | author = Pratul Chandra Gupta | publisher = Clarendon Press | year = 1963 | oclc = 1077615 | page = 145 }}</ref> The British troops seized guns, elephants and camels, and set Nana Sahib's palace on fire.<ref>:Indian war of Independence by Savarkar, http://savarkar.org/en/encyc/2017/5/22/2_03_34_24_the_indian_war_of_independence_1857_with_publishers_note.v001.pdf_1.pdf</ref> The British seized guns, elephants and camels, and set fire to Nana's palace. Very few relics of Nana Saheb are known but a silver mounted sword seems to be one of the more interesting. Many British search parties tried to capture Nana Saheb but all failed to prevent his escape. A detachment of the 7th Bengal Infantry came very near to capturing him but he managed to escape just in time. In his hurry he left this sword on the table where he had been dining. Major Templer (later Major General) of the 7th Bengal Infantry brought home the sword. In the 1920s the family loaned it to the Exeter Museum, until 1992 when it was sold at auction. The present whereabouts of this sword are unknown.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | |||
== Disappearance == | == Disappearance == | ||
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===Sihor connection=== | ===Sihor connection=== | ||
Two letters and a diary retrieved in the 1970s accounted that he lived as an ascetic, Yogindra Dayanand Maharaj, in [[Sihor]] in coastal Gujarat until his death in 1903. Harshram Mehta, the Sanskrit teacher of Nana Saheb, was addressed in the two letters probably written by him in [[Old Marathi]] and in black ink dated 1856 and signed ''Baloo Nana''. The third document is the diary of Kalyanji Mehta, brother of Harshram. In [[Old Gujarati language|Old Gujarati]], the diary records arrival of Nana Saheb to Sihor with his colleagues after failure of rebellion. Kalyanji had raised Shridhar, son of Nana Saheb changing his name to Giridhar, as his own son and got him married in Sihori Brahmin family. His diary also records death of Nana Saheb in 1903 in Dave Sheri, Kalyanji's house in Sihor. The place still displays some articles of him. Keshavlal Mehta, son of Giridhar, recovered these documents in the 1970s and his descendants still live in town.<ref name="IT2004"/> | Two letters and a diary retrieved in the 1970s accounted that he lived as an ascetic, Yogindra Dayanand Maharaj, in [[Sihor]] in coastal Gujarat until his death in 1903.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} Harshram Mehta, the Sanskrit teacher of Nana Saheb, was addressed in the two letters probably written by him in [[Old Marathi]] and in black ink dated 1856 and signed ''Baloo Nana''. The third document is the diary of Kalyanji Mehta, brother of Harshram.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} In [[Old Gujarati language|Old Gujarati]], the diary records arrival of Nana Saheb to Sihor with his colleagues after failure of rebellion. Kalyanji had raised Shridhar, son of Nana Saheb changing his name to Giridhar, as his own son and got him married in Sihori Brahmin family. His diary also records death of Nana Saheb in 1903 in Dave Sheri, Kalyanji's house in Sihor. The place still displays some articles of him. Keshavlal Mehta, son of Giridhar, recovered these documents in the 1970s and his descendants still live in town.<ref name="IT2004"/> | ||
The authenticity of documents was accepted by G.N. Pant, former director of the National Museum, in 1992 but the official recognition was never given.<ref name="IT2004"/> | The authenticity of documents was accepted by G.N. Pant, former director of the National Museum, in 1992 but the official recognition was never given.<ref name="IT2004"/> | ||
===Belsare's account=== | ===Belsare's account=== | ||
K. V. Belsare's book on the Maharashtrian saint [[Brahmachaitanya|Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar | K. V. Belsare's book on the Maharashtrian saint [[Brahmachaitanya|Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj]] claims that after the lost battle, Nana Saheb went to [[Naimisharanya]], the Naimisha Forest in the vicinity of [[Sitapur]], Uttar Pradesh, where he met Brahmachaitanya maharaj, who assured him safety. He lived there from 1860 until his death in 1906. According to the book, he died between 30 October to 1 November 1906 and Shri Brahmachaitanya maharaj performed his last rites.<ref>K.V.Belsare, ''Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj'' – Charitra & Vangmay</ref> The authenticity of the claims in the book is not established.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} | ||
Initially Nanasaheb was very much upset from losing the kingdom in battle with the British. But Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj explained to him the "Wish of God". He said, "It is very sad that Nanasaheb had to lose the battle and the kingdom in such a tragic way, but fighting with the British is totally different than fighting with Mughals. People from the middle class who know the British language will lead the next freedom war against British. Soon they will come into the picture. Your role as King or warrior has finished, and now you need to focus on the 'internal war'." Initially it was very difficult for him to accept this fact, but slowly, Nanasaheb accepted this and made progress on the path to God.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Belsare |first=Keshav Vishnu |title=Brahmachaitanya Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj – Charitra & Vaagmay |publisher=KV Belsare |year=1931 |language=mr}}</ref> | |||
After the independence of India in 1947, Nana was hailed as a [[freedom fighter]], and the [[Nana Rao Park]] in [[Kanpur]] was constructed in honour of Nana and his brother, Bala Rao. | After the independence of India in 1947, Nana was hailed as a [[freedom fighter]], and the [[Nana Rao Park]] in [[Kanpur]] was constructed in honour of Nana and his brother, Bala Rao. | ||
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*Nana Sahib (based on [[Captain Nemo]]) is the principal character of the 1975 Soviet film ''[[Captain Nemo (film)|Captain Nemo]]'', his role is played by [[Vladislav Dvorzhetsky]]. He is also seen in ''[[Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties]]'' as Nanib Sahir.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} | *Nana Sahib (based on [[Captain Nemo]]) is the principal character of the 1975 Soviet film ''[[Captain Nemo (film)|Captain Nemo]]'', his role is played by [[Vladislav Dvorzhetsky]]. He is also seen in ''[[Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties]]'' as Nanib Sahir.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} | ||
*[[Jules Verne]]'s novel ''[[The End of Nana Sahib]]'' (also published under the name "[[The Steam House]]"), taking place in India ten years after the 1857 events, is based on these rumours, and not historically accurate - for example, the novel claims Nana Saheb had been married to [[Rani Lakshmibai]] of Jhansi. | *[[Jules Verne]]'s novel ''[[The End of Nana Sahib]]'' (also published under the name "[[The Steam House]]"), taking place in India ten years after the 1857 events, is based on these rumours, and not historically accurate - for example, the novel claims Nana Saheb had been married to [[Rani Lakshmibai]] of Jhansi.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
*In ''[[The Devil's Wind]]'', [[Manohar Malgonkar]] gives a sympathetic reconstruction of Nana Saheb's life before, during and after the mutiny as told in his own words.<ref>{{cite book |year=1972 |title=The Devil's Wind |author=Manohar Malgonkar |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |isbn=0-241-02176-6}}</ref> | *In ''[[The Devil's Wind]]'', [[Manohar Malgonkar]] gives a sympathetic reconstruction of Nana Saheb's life before, during and after the mutiny as told in his own words.<ref>{{cite book |year=1972 |title=The Devil's Wind |author=Manohar Malgonkar |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |isbn=0-241-02176-6}}</ref> | ||
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*The character of Surat Khan in the 1936 film ''[[The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936 film)|The Charge of the Light Brigade]]'' seems to be loosely based on Nana Saheb.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} | *The character of Surat Khan in the 1936 film ''[[The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936 film)|The Charge of the Light Brigade]]'' seems to be loosely based on Nana Saheb.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} | ||
*A novel by Donald Cirulli titled ''The Devil's Wind'' was published in 2018 described, among other things, the siege of Wheeler's Entrenchment at Cawnpore and the British attack of Delhi (both in 1857). | *A novel by Donald Cirulli titled ''The Devil's Wind'' was published in 2018 described, among other things, the siege of Wheeler's Entrenchment at Cawnpore and the British attack of Delhi (both in 1857).{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
*The character of Nana Saheb is portrayed by [[Bhupinder Singh (actor)|Bhupinder Singh]] in the [[DD National]] TV series ''[[1857 Kranti]]''.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | |||
* | *In [[Bharat Ek Khoj]] character of Nana Saheb was portrayed [[Anang Desai]].{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
*In [[ | *In [[Satyajit Ray]]'s [[Feluda]] novel [[Bombaiyer Bombete (novel)|Bombaiyer Bombete]], a necklace belonging to Nana Saheb from [[Kathmandu]] is smuggled into India.{{citation needed|date= August 2022}} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||