Role of Lucknow, Arrah & Bareilly in the 1857 Uprising

Subject : Social Science

Question:

“Explain the role of Lucknow and other regions, like Arrah and Bareilly, in the Great Uprising of 1857.”

Expert Verified Solution:

Lucknow, Arrah, and Bareilly played pivotal roles in the Great Uprising of 1857, each contributing to the widespread rebellion against British rule. Lucknow became a major center of resistance, with the siege of the British Residency becoming a symbol of Indian defiance. Led by leaders like Begum Hazrat Mahal, the city remained under rebel control for several months, with both Indian soldiers (sepoys) and civilians joining forces.

In Arrah, the rebellion saw a fierce local uprising where the British faced significant resistance from zamindars (landowners) and their forces. The siege of the small British garrison at Arrah was one of the notable events in Bihar.

Similarly, Bareilly, under the leadership of Khan Bahadur Khan, a descendant of the Rohilla chiefs, became a major center of rebellion. Khan Bahadur Khan declared himself the ruler and took over the administration, rallying both soldiers and civilians to resist the British.

These regions were crucial in sustaining the rebellion and demonstrated the widespread dissatisfaction with British policies, reflecting a united resistance across different parts of India during the Great Uprising of 1857.