Lalitpur and the Revolt of 1857

Abstract

The 1857 Revolution was an unprecedented, comprehensive event in the Indian history, which led to the rise of organised opposition to the colonial rule. The current research study, which is named The Contribution of Lalitpur District to the Revolution of 1857: A Micro-Historical Analysis, is an attempt to closely study the contribution made by the Lalitpur region. This study aims at developing a holistic interpretation of the national movement by adopting a micro-historical approach to analyzing the local events, people, and involvement of people. The paper clarifies that the revolutions that had been experienced before 1857, especially the Bundela Rebellion, created a strong base to resist in this area. Raja Mardan Singh of Banpur, Raja Bakhtbali of Shahgarh and other local rulers did not only offer military leadership but also organized the different segments of the society thus giving the revolution impetus. Moreover, mass-based nature was given to the movement by the active participation of farmers, soldiers, and the common people. The study finds that Lalitpur District was a key center of the revolution, and a place where plans were also made. This work is an important contribution to the process of incorporating local history into the national discourse.