Bhondu Singh Ahir - A forgotten Freedom Fighter Wikipedia

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Bhondu Singh Ahir – A forgotten Freedom Fighter Wikipedia

The subedar who was passed over, a member of the Ahir caste named Bhondu Singh, would later lead the regiment in mutiny at Azimgarh on 3 June.

The Indian Mutiny: 1857

The subedar who was passed over, a member of the Ahir caste named Bhondu Singh, would later lead the regiment in mutiny at Azimgarh on 3 June. In the preceding weeks the men of the 17th frequently voiced their suspicions about the new cartridges. Unable to understand their objections in the light of the government’s concessions over greasing and loading, Burroughs sought an answer from his shrewdest and most intelligent havildar, Juggernath Tewarry. While refusing to enter into specifics, Juggernath pointed out that it was the object of all smart sepoys to get into their regiment’s rifle company (if it had one), and once there to use patches greased in the government magazines.
‘We do not know what that grease is made of,’ added Juggernath, ‘but did you ever hear any sepoy objecting to it?’ ‘Then why,’ asked Burroughs, ‘is an objection made now?’ ‘From villainy,’ replied Juggernath, but would say no more. As commander of the Ambala musketry depot, Lieutenant Martineau was in an ideal position to assess the temper of the army. Yet even he was in the dark. On 5 May 1857 he revealed his fears to Captain Septimus Becher, assistant adjutant- general with Army Headquarters at Simla in the hills:

Sher Subedar Bhondu Singh Ji of Kanpur – anonymous saga of 1857

Due to the fear of the revolution of 1857, the British formed a caste/religion/region based army after the revolution, whose loyalty was limited to the British and caste/religion/region. There was no place for the “rebel community” Ahir in such a new army because the massacre of Kanpur in 1857 had left an indelible fear in their mind. Yaduvanshi Sardar Subedar Bhondu Singh ji and his platoon number 17 had executed this saga of Kanpur.

….. The story begins in the end of April in the Dumdum military cantonment … A British officer ordered the Indian soldiers to fire cartridges containing cow fat. Subedar Bhondu Singh ji refused to give up his religion, but another junior Subedar Bhola Upadhyay obeyed the orders of the British and fired the cartridges using his mouth, as a result of which Bhola Upadhyay was promoted to Subedar Major for his loyalty to the British. It was made when Subedar Bhondu Singh ji was the most senior subedar. But Veer Yaduvanshi loved his religion and not his position.

After this incident, on June 3, 1857, Veer Subedar Bhondu Singh ji raised the alarm in Azamgarh with his 17 number platoon and raised the bugle of rebellion against the British rule. Then he came to Kanpur with his platoon to fight the British with Nana Saheb. On one side of Gangaji’s ghat, Veer Bhondu Singh ji along with his soldiers got stuck on the front to eliminate the enemy. He made the Gangaji’s stream red with blood from Firangi General Wheeler and his soldiers. The English-Army was so scared of this massacre that they used to say in the wars, ” Remember Kanpur”., Veer Yaduvanshi Subedar sacrificed his life in Azamgarh in the tide of revolution and left an indelible impression on the hearts of the enemy, but the pen of Indian writers never gave this brave warrior any place in history. The British did not give “Ahir Regiment” to the “rebel” community Ahir as a punishment, but even in Azad Hind, the bravery and sacrifice of Ahir soldiers never got proper place and respect…and even today the community Yaduvansh has its own “Ahir Regiment”. is deprived of. The silence and indifference of the leaders of the community on the issue of the regiment adds to this pain. Today, when the leaders are seen committed to the statue of the heroes of other classes for the sake of votes, then why are they refraining from installing the statue of the great leader of 1857, Subedar Bhondu Singh????

(The photo depicts that incident of Kanpur in 1857)

Bhodhu Singh Ahir, the forgotten warrior of the revolution of 1857 – know the whole story

The revolution of 1857 in Purvanchal started from Azamgarh on the night of 03 June 1857. Whose hero was Subedar “Bodhu Singh Ahir”. Azamgarh had a station of the 17th Infantry Regiment. In those days the highest rank in the army for any Indian was that of Subedar Major, which coincidentally was vacant. The senior most subedar of the regiment entitled to that post was “Bodhu Singh”. His name is written as BHONDU in the official reports. Its first transliteration in Hindi was done by the Information Department as “Bandhu Singh”. But most of the Hindi writers have transliterated English as “Bhondu Singh”. If we look at the then British reports, it becomes clear that the names of most of the places and persons are written in a corrupt manner. Like Ganga Singh is recorded as GUNGA Sigh, Azamgarh as Azimgurh, Mathura as Muttra, Sitapur as Seetapore, Ghazipur is written as Ghazeepore. On this basis, it appears that the original name of the 17th Subedar would have been neither Bhondu nor Bandhu, rather it would have been Bodhu.

His case file throws some light on the life of Bodhu Singh. This file can be seen in the Prayagraj Archives (Mutiny Records). Its English translation can be seen in the first volume of the book “Freedom Struggle in Uttar Pradesh” edited by Ameer Ali Rizvi. According to the information received from the above sources- “Bodhu was born in 1793 in an Ahir family in village Devsalaha, located in Pargana Mahmudabad, Farrukhabad district. His father Ramdeen was also a native officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Native Infantry Regiment, predecessor of the 17th Regiment. Dr. Kanhaiya Singh has mentioned the names of two brothers of Bodhu- Kishan Prasad and Shivprasad in his work “The Freedom Struggle of Uttar Pradesh 1857”. According to him all the three brothers were together in this war. Apart from this, Bodhu’s son Ramtahal and son-in-law Madho Singh also took part in this war. Bodhu’s son Ramtahal was in the first company.

As his father was in the army, Bodhu Singh’s childhood was spent in barracks and watching military exercises. The report of the British gives an impression that Bodhu Singh was educated and had special proficiency in the art of warfare. He has told in his statement that because of his father, he was enlisted in the army in his childhood and he left home on the same day. Initially he was with Colonel Palmer as an orderly. The family lived together. He did not have any house of his own. After joining the service, the regiment was his home. He had this desire in his mind that if given an opportunity, he would stay at his hometown Fatehgarh. Although the exact date of his enlistment is unknown, it is estimated that he started military life at the age of 15 in 1808-09. In 1825 he was a soldier. Along with him, another soldier named Sheikh Dalel was also appointed in the regiment. Both of them were considered the best swordsmen of the regiment at that time. They Used to fight with each other. They especially used to show their skills in the Tajiya procession on the festival of Muharram. Sheikh Dalel died as a Subedar. After him Bodhu became the Khalifa of the regiment. According to Burroughs, he had a good influence on the Shamshirbaaz of the regiment, among the wrestlers, among the lower castes and among the arrogant, and this influence was greater than his position and conduct.

By 1838, Bodhu had become a havaldar. At the bottom of the foot native regiment was the rank of constable, who were promoted to become Havaldar, Zimedar, Subedar and lastly Subedar Major respectively. In each company there was a subedar, four responsible, sixteen havaldars and ninety soldiers. After 1866, the highest post for Indians remained “Subedar”. At the time of the revolution of 1857, the salary of a constable was five rupees, while that of Subedar Major was only 25 rupees. While the equivalent salary of an English Major was Rs.929/- per month. Burroughs has told in his statement that in 1838, when Bodhu was posted as Havaldar, the Governor General was in Punjab. His regiment was escorted by the 17th NI. The Governor General was to come to Meerut from Ludhiana. Bodhu had already been sent to Meerut with heavy baggage. Burroughs alleges that due to Bodhu’s negligence all the white clothes of the regiment got dirty. Bodhu was to be promoted, which was reconsidered. But the promotion happened. Two things are clear from this, first- Burroughs was prejudiced towards Bodhu Singh and second- Bodhu Singh’s character register must have been correct. The most annoying thing for the British was that an Indian citizen or employee should be independent and powerful. Bodhu was a confident military officer who enjoyed great support in his regiment. Burroughs writes further- “He was severely reprimanded for leading the command of the Sagar Division of the General Officer in Orai (Bulandkhand), Also he was given a miscard. But later he was promoted to Subedar. In 1856 he was on this post. His next promotion was to the post of Subedar Major. Because he was the senior most subedar in the regiment. It is clear from this that if Bodhu Singh was enlisted at the age of 15, he would have served 48 years in 1856. Bodhu Singh had a daughter besides son Ramtahal. Whose marriage he had arranged with Madho Singh, a constable of his own regiment. Madho Singh was a young man of Ahir caste, very beautiful in body, but fierce in nature. Bodhu Singh has said in his statement that he had got engaged, but the marriage could not take place due to some difference in gotra. But he was a young man of fierce nature. Bodhu Singh has said in his statement that he had got engaged, but the marriage could not take place due to some difference in gotra. But he was a young man of fierce nature. Bodhu Singh has said in his statement that he had got engaged, but the marriage could not take place due to some difference in gotra.

In 1856, appointment of FW Burroughs as commanding officer again after fourteen years. Joined the 7th Indian Infantry Regiment. When he left the regiment in 1842, Bodhu was posted as Havaldar. In these fourteen years, he was first promoted to Zimdar and then to Subedar. Burroughs did not have much faith in Bodhu Singh. In July 1856, the 17th Regiment went to Gorakhpur via Kanpur, Allahabad, Banaras and Azamgarh. Stayed there for the next five months. Many soldiers fell ill in Gorakhpur in December. Many died. Depression started increasing among the soldiers. To avoid this, on 12 February 1857, this regiment returned from Gorakhpur to its headquarters in Azamgarh. New police lines were being built in Azamgarh under the supervision of Bodhu. Apart from Bodhu, Devideen was in the senior committee. The Superintending Committee also had a sub-committee consisting of two junior officers and a pay constable. Jagarnath Tiwari and Bhikham Singh among pay constables, Burroughs’s masters were devotees. Out of the total eight companies of the 17th Regiment, 6 were at their headquarters at Azamgarh at that time, the remaining two were at Gorakhpur. There were 500 soldiers in Azamgarh. There was a group among them too. Two soldiers from each company were kept in the overseer committee. Lieutenant Hutchinson supervised the entire work. This would be called ironic. The rank of Lieutenant was equivalent to that of a Zimedar, but the pay was higher than that of a Subedar, and to make matters worse, the Subedar, an officer of the rank of Lieutenant, was the superintendent of an officer of the rank of Major. This humiliating situation must have been stinging Bodhu Singh. On being asked by Baroj, Bodhu Singh attributed the slow work to the non-cooperative attitude of the local people. Burroughs wrote a letter to Collector Horn. The remaining two were in Gorakhpur. There were 500 soldiers in Azamgarh. There was a group among them too. Two soldiers from each company were kept in the overseer committee. Lieutenant Hutchinson supervised the entire work. This would be called ironic. The rank of Lieutenant was equivalent to that of a Zimedar, but the pay was higher than that of a Subedar, and to make matters worse, the Subedar, an officer of the rank of Lieutenant, was the superintendent of an officer of the rank of Major. This humiliating situation must have been stinging Bodhu Singh. On being asked by Baroj, Bodhu Singh attributed the slow work to the non-cooperative attitude of the local people. Burroughs wrote a letter to Collector Horn. The remaining two were in Gorakhpur. There were 500 soldiers in Azamgarh. There was a group among them too. Two soldiers from each company were kept in the overseer committee. Lieutenant Hutchinson supervised the entire work. This would be called ironic. The rank of Lieutenant was equivalent to that of a Zimedar, but the pay was higher than that of a Subedar, and to make matters worse, the Subedar, an officer of the rank of Lieutenant, was the superintendent of an officer of the rank of Major. This humiliating situation must have been stinging Bodhu Singh. On being asked by Baroj, Bodhu Singh attributed the slow work to the non-cooperative attitude of the local people. Burroughs wrote a letter to Collector Horn. But the pay was higher than that of Subedar and what was worse was that the Subedar, an officer of the rank of Lieutenant, was the superintendent of the officer of Major rank. This humiliating situation must have been stinging Bodhu Singh. On being asked by Baroj, Bodhu Singh attributed the slow work to the non-cooperative attitude of the local people. Burroughs wrote a letter to Collector Horn. But the pay was higher than that of Subedar and what was worse was that the Subedar, an officer of the rank of Lieutenant, was the superintendent of the officer of Major rank. This humiliating situation must have been stinging Bodhu Singh. On being asked by Baroj, Bodhu Singh attributed the slow work to the non-cooperative attitude of the local people. Burroughs wrote a letter to Collector Horn.

The subedar of the 17th was promoted to Major. The burden of the vacant post was on CO Burroughs, which he wanted to give to one of his confidants. Some native officers were engaged in a conspiracy to stop the promotion of Bodhu Singh. In the group opposed to Bodhu Singh, Subedar Bhola Upadhyay and Havaldar Jagarnath Tiwari used to fill the ears of Baroj. Barose had known Bodhu Singh since 1825 i.e. for 32 years, he said in his statement that- “His character raised doubts in my mind, but there was no information or suspicion that he would lead the rebellion.” By April, 1857 the Police Lines building was completed. Some person who had enmity with Bodhu Singh complained about the scam in the work. It was actually a well-planned conspiracy against Bodhu. When Baroj asked Havaldar Baijnath Singh of the first company and Havaldar Jagarnath Tiwari of the fifth company, it came to know that some soldiers were dissatisfied with the expenditure on new lines. Advances taken by Burroughs Calculated the ratio of consumed and remaining material. Found some difference. On enquiry, Bodhu told that the people here have taken money on contract, but are not giving supplies as per the agreement. The transaction of money was being looked after by the commanding officer Burrough’s loyal pay sergeant and the entire superintendence was being done by Hutchinson, however the inquiry was being done by Subedar Bodhu. At the behest of Burroughs, with the permission of the Commissioner, the Collector took this work in his hands.

In April 1857, Subedar Bhola Upadhyay announced the use of Enfield’s new cartridges in the presence of Captain Sulokt in the Musketry Depot of the Bengal Presidency. Sulloct reported the incident to Burroughs, who in turn reported the incident to the Commander in Chief. Finally Baroj sent the name of Bhola Upadhyay for Subedar Major. To know its response, he spoke to Bodhu Singh after sending the name and after the mandate was issued. Some authors have written that Bodhu, angry at not being promoted, led the rebellion. Which is baseless. Burroughs says that Bodhu Singh did not seem disgruntled at all. Barose assured that Bodhu’s name would be forwarded to Bahadur, who gets a higher salary (Rs 30/-) than the Subedar Major. Provided he satisfies him by the construction of the buildings. Burroughs kept his spies in the regiment. But no notification of mutiny was received. This shows that Bodhu Singh could successfully keep the plan of revolution a secret for a long time by hiding his feelings. Baroj’s main informer was Jagarnath Tiwari. But he also did not give any information.

The atmosphere of revolution had started being created from the first of June. That day, a pay sergeant and constable informed the adjutant that the weapons were being stopped to go to the Golandaj treasury. At that time two lakh seventy thousand were kept in the treasury. Burroughs sent the cavalry adjutant to check, but nothing was found. The British had started the security system. Two and a half companies of the 17th were stationed at Gorakhpur and a small detachment at Sugauli under the command of Captain Steele. When the commotion increased in Gorakhpur, the treasure was sent to Banaras via Azamgarh under the supervision of 125 soldiers of the 17th. Escaped from looting the treasure of five lakhs in Gagaha, came to Azamgarh on 29th May and remained here till 3rd June. On June 1, information was received that the soldiers did not want to let it go ahead, Which could not be verified. Charles Ball’s opinion that the rebellion in Azamgarh was due to the greed of seven and a half lakh rupees, which is wrong. Burroughs was of the opinion that two days earlier a plan was made to loot the treasure secretly. Quartermaster Sergeant Lewis told in his statement that on the night of 3rd June, at quarter past nine, he heard the sound of drums. When he came out after hearing the sound of fire twice from the left side of the tent, he saw Bodhu standing there unnecessarily. When asked, he said indignantly, what does he know, it is not his business.

Bodhu has said in his statement that on June 3, after paying the laborers, he went to sleep wearing a sword and a waistband, and came out at 9 o’clock hearing the bugle and noise. Lewis was actually a sergeant major, with the charge of quartermaster. He was equivalent to Havaldar. When Lewis asked the responsible person, he said that some miscreants in the town have done this work. Lewis came wearing uniform and ordered the in-charge to make the guard fall in to check the gun. A native Christian drum major, playing the bugle, led the regiment to stand in an open column of companies. Bodhu asked to ring the officers’ call, but Lewis refused. The officers did not come out due to fear. Lewis cautioned the soldiers, reprimanded them and gave a fiery speech asking them to go to the lines. But he refused. Lewis declared more enthusiastically that “if anyone rebelled they would be fired, Or will be hanged. Lewis was accompanied by orderly Madho Singh. He was made a military assistant (adjutant) by Bodhu. Madho came out excited and reminded the regiment of his religion. Gave the concern of the brothers of Meerut and Delhi; Talked about leaving for Lucknow. Madho said, “If the salt bastard of the company is hanged to us, we will kill you first.” Lewis was shot in the chest. He fell there. Lewis is not dead Later took him to Venibulls. Bodhu took the regiment under his command. According to Burroughs, Bodhu was leading the way that night. The soldiers picked up the weapons lying in front of the tent. Bodhu took out all the ammunition from the ammunition store and got the line ordered. When they reached the court and Hutchinson stopped them from looting the treasury, Madho Singh shot him too. The guard gunner of the treasury also rebelled. There were only seventy thousand left in the treasury. He was fired. Both Hutchinson and Lewis were subordinate to Bodhu Singh.

The treasure of Gorakhpur had left for Banaras loaded on bullock carts and camel carts in the evening. Men were run to catch him. Lt. Palliser was stopped at Rani ki Sarai near the residence of the judges with the treasure of seven lakhs. The escort consisted of eighty men from the 17th Infantry and the 13th Irregulars. The rebels surrounded them. Palliser was helpless. The riders of the 13th did not want their officers killed. According to Malleson – “Because of a strong national sympathy, he did not want action even on compatriots.” The behavior of the soldiers was of romantic decency. The escort went to Banaras with the officers, while the rebels returned with the treasure. There was no bloodshed because of the pro-British faction. While returning from the treasury, the group of Ramtahal and Madho asked Dafadar Mohan Singh to get the jail gate opened by the jail inspector. Eight hundred prisoners came out and looted the bungalows of the British, Started breaking On the other side, the pro-British group sent civil people, women and children towards Ghazipur by filling them in wagons. They were dropped from the roof of the Treasury. The rebels said that their intention was not to kill the officers or their women and children. Unless they provoke them by unnecessarily protesting. More than 100 Englishmen got out safely. Major Baroj was escorted by Bhikham Singh, Ramnarayan Singh, Mangli Dubey and Bhagirath Pandey to Ghazipur. Everyone got a reward of 500-500 from Burroughs. Mangli Dubey and Bhagirath Pandey escorted them to Ghazipur. Everyone got a reward of 500-500 from Burroughs. Mangli Dubey and Bhagirath Pandey escorted them to Ghazipur. Everyone got a reward of 500-500 from Burroughs.

On June 4, the soldiers who were happy with the victory, carrying the treasure loaded on bullock carts and camel carts, moved towards Faizabad, 125 km away from there with full fanfare. On the other hand, there was a rebellion in Banaras, it also happened in Jaunpur. Chances started forming in Faizabad as well. All the pensioners and soldiers who had gone on furlough had returned after hearing about the mutiny. Bodhu was chosen by the soldiers as their general. A soldier brought a wagon of a military assistant. Subedar Bodhu Singh was walking in a cart according to his rank. When a pensioner constable Bishunnath died on the way, Bodhu himself gave sixty rupees for his cremation. A soldier named Shivpant has said in his statement that Bodhu was commanding the regiment. The money was spent on his orders. The army’s first halt was on the banks of the river at Begumganj near Tanda on 6th June. This place was situated 12 miles east of Faizabad on the banks of the Ghaghra. Till that time Neel told the common countrymen in Allahabad, Even the children had started hanging in the neem tree. Villages were being burnt. Information about this was being received from the soldiers who had reached the camp. The atrocities on the countrymen filled the soldiers of the 17th with retaliation. Just two days ago, Bodhu and Madho Singh, who had let 100 British go alive, became eager to take revenge from the British. It is alleged that Madho shot a European colonel of the 22nd Regiment in Begumganj after taking him prisoner.

On 7th June there was a rebellion in Faizabad. Maulvi Ahmadullah and Dilip Singh Chauhan ordered the British to leave the city along with the goods. They turned out to be British in three boats provided. Two boats. Came towards the halt of 17th. The soldiers surrounded them and started firing. Commissar Colonel Goldse shot himself. His wife and dog fell into the water and died. The third boat was towards Tanda. When the soldiers of the 17th hid there, Hasan Khan’s men saved the British by firing. Raja Man Singh gave shelter to the survivors in the fort of Shahganj. This incident took place in Begumganj on 9th. The army came to Faizabad the same day. Stayed there till 10-11 June. For the first time the treasure was distributed in Faizabad. The looted treasure was divided by consensus. Part of this was also given to the 22nd Foot. Bodhu got Rs 200 for the first time, which was equal to ten months’ salary. Probably eager to fight at the time of the halt at Faizabad, Madho Singh had already fled to Kanpur with 200 horsemen. He also had some treasure.

According to Bodh, the army came from Faizabad to Unnao. A highway was found there, taking which they proceeded towards Kanpur via Baiswada (Rae Bareilly). The army led by Bodhu reached Kanpur on the night of 25th June. Bodhu sent a permit to Nana Saheb through his man Devidin. In which the desire to reach with the treasure and catch the men who ran away with Madho was expressed. It is clear from the letter that Bodhu had old and deep relations with Nana Saheb. At 10 o’clock in the night of 26th June, the reply of Parwana was received which was written by Azimullah Khan, a confidante of Nana Saheb. Bodhu’s cleverness and deeds have been praised in it and good wishes have been given while praising.

Hriller was surrounded by Nana when he accepted defeat and asked for help, then on 27 June 1857 the Sattichora Ghat plan was made. The absence of the British army by Nana, Referring to the installation of thirteen guns and asking for protection from the government, it is further written that “Tomorrow at 10 o’clock the English people will sit in boats and start the river journey. Although it is very doubtful, but the British say that they will go to Calcutta by boat. The river is less deep on this side. The other side is deep, so boats will be kept there only which will go three-four kos together. You must be ready. Choose a place on the other side of the river to kill and destroy them and come here when you are successful. The treasure was again distributed in Kanpur by giving some to maternal grandfather. Bodhu got a total of Rs.542 in two rounds. Nana also gave two months’ salary to the entire army. On 27th June all the Indian soldiers were called to inspect Nana Sahib. In this, of Azamgarh. The 17th Indian Infantry Regiment was also involved. Jamadar Dariyav Singh’s village of 17th NI was near Nadi Ghat. There he put a garrison of soldiers. The soldiers fired their guns shouting cheers and hid in the village. Along with the 17th there were also some soldiers of the 12th Irregulars. Bodhu had both the post guns looted from the treasury of Azamgarh. At 9 am on 27 June, 40 boats with passengers were ready to go. Thousands of spectators were watching. Neil’s atrocities were burning in the hearts of the people. Nana sent a letter of good luck to Hriller. Tatya waved his hand and sent off the boats. That’s why the native sailors jumped and ran away from the crowd. Thomson angrily fired at them. The horsemen started firing from the shore. They entered the water. The boats were set on fire. Some died by drowning, some by burning, the rest were put to the sword. Most were killed. 12 people ran on a boat. 8 died of hunger and thirst. Rest 4 were given shelter by a landlord. The remaining 125 were brought ashore and kept at Bibighar. The men were executed on 30 June to escape Havelock’s advancing army. The wife and children were left behind. The rest were put to the sword. Most were killed. 12 people ran on a boat. 8 died of hunger and thirst. Rest 4 were given shelter by a landlord. The remaining 125 were brought ashore and kept at Bibighar. The men were executed on 30 June to escape Havelock’s advancing army. The wife and children were left behind.

Kept fighting together with Nana’s army in Ahirwan (Kanpur). Havelock was captured on 17 July 1857. Tatya went to Kalpi. Nana came to Lucknow from Fatehpur Chaurasi. Both started guerilla warfare. Madho Singh went with Tatya with 200 men. Bodhu returned to Awadh with the rest of the army. On 25 July, Begum Hazrat Mahal made Muhammad Hasan the chakledar of Gorakhpur. He started fighting strongly. The remaining soldiers of the 17th joined with it. On December 26, 1857, in the battle fought by Kunwar Singh along with Harikrishna Singh and the Thakurs of Paina with the Gorkha army of Colonel Roocraft and Jang Bahadur at Majhauli in Gorakhpur, the soldiers of the 17th fought in the form of Nazim Muhammad Hasan’s army. When the repression increased, till the end of 1857, the rebellion became loose. People fled to Nepal. On November 26, 1858, 600-700 soldiers of Muhammad Hasan and Balarao were killed in the war that took place on the banks of Rapti on the northern border of Gorakhpur. certainly a number of There were also soldiers of the 17th. Later on 17 May 1859 Muhammad Hasan surrendered. Probably the remaining soldiers of the 17th must have died in the Terai of Nepal.

All the statements in the trial file related to Bodhu Singh are from 10 January to 10 February 1860, which is proof that he was caught in January 1860. He was prosecuted in the court of Lucknow’s Assistant General Superintendent Captain J.H. Chamberlin in the name of ‘Government vs. Bodhu’. It is clear from the case file that there were many allegations against him, such as Madho Singh shot Lewis, Hutchison and the colonel of 22nd at the behest of Bodhu. They looted the treasure of about eight lakhs, Led the rebel army and was involved in the massacre of Sattichora Ghat. Although there is no mention of punishment in this file, it must have been hanged. The history of Bodhu Singh’s brother and son Ramtahal is unknown. Perhaps he was killed in battle. Madho Singh is known from the footnote recorded on page 107 of H. G. Keane’s book – British Administration during the Revolt of 1857. Keane was ICS and retired in 1881. He was a judge for some time in 1867. It is known from this that Madho was prosecuted and hanged in the same year. Keane went to England in 1883 and got this book written. He writes- “The soldier who shot the sergeant in Azamgarh, A detective caught him. To whom he had unwisely told the secret of his exploits. He was working as a pointsman in the East Indian Railway. His case went before the author. He was hanged. Such a handsome man is rarely seen. It is noteworthy that Tatya Tope was hanged in Shivpuri on 18 April 1859. Probably at that time Madho had come to Lucknow. Probably he was from this area. He was accused of shooting Lewis, Hutchinson, Colonel and taking part in the war. Dr. Kanhaiya Singh writes – “In this way every member of this great Yadav family became home in the fight for freedom.” The colonel was accused of shooting and taking part in the war. Dr. Kanhaiya Singh writes – “In this way every member of this great Yadav family became home in the fight for freedom.” The colonel was accused of shooting and taking part in the war. Dr. Kanhaiya Singh writes – “In this way every member of this great Yadav family became home in the fight for freedom.”

Ultimately, lakhs of soldiers like Bodhu Singh, inspired by the spirit of nationalism, laid down their lives in the interest of the country. Novels, poems, plays should be written on such brave sons. They should be highlighted through theatre, motion pictures, so that the present generation understands the value of freedom. Like thousands of traitors, these soldiers could have got rewards by joining hands with the British, but they chose the thorny path of suffering, struggle and self-sacrifice. To give true tribute to the sacrifice of Bodhu Singh, his statue should be installed in Azamgarh Police Lines and his biography should be engraved on it.

State Drama Festival concludes with the play ‘Bodhu Singh Ahir’

Don’t know how many forgotten permits were issued by those who lit the lamp of freedom in the country, which we do not even remember. Good luck to those crazy people who still find and present the stories of those great warriors in front of the society. Azamgarh’s organization ‘Sutradhar’ staged the story of one such warrior ‘Bodhu Singh Ahir’ at Windermere Theater on Friday evening.

Bodhu Singh Ahir used to be in the 17th battalion of the British in Azamgarh. He blew the bugle of revolution on 3 June 1857. His future son-in-law, Madhav Singh, killed Sergeant Lewis and Treasurer Hutchinson and looted the treasury worth seven lakh 80 thousand rupees. Bodhu handed over all the treasure to Nanaji Peshwa and his entire army to Tatya Tope. He was accompanied by his son Ram Tehal, Together with brothers Shiv Vachan and Kishan Singh and friend Shah Diler, they fought bravely. When Colonel Neil hanged even children and old people in Allahabad, Bodhu Singh Ahir took revenge by killing 125 Britishers at Satti Chaura Ghat on the orders of Nanaji. After this, Lieutenant General Havelock attacked Kanpur with Colonel Neil. The army of Bodhu Singh Ahir was scattered. Bodhu Ahir reached Gorakhpur via Lucknow and fought there along with Muhammad Hasan, the Chakledar of Begum Hazrat Mahal. Muhammad Hasan was martyred in this battle and Bodhu Singh Ahir was arrested and hanged. The State Theater Festival came to an end with this play.

Presentation of freedom fighter Bondu Ahir in Azamgarh: Rebellion in the police line of the district in 1857, National Award-winning Abhishek instructed

Artists giving tribute to freedom fighter Bondu Ahir under the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence in Azamgarh district.

Bondu Ahir was presented by the artists under the ongoing program under Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav at Sharda Talkies in Azamgarh district. Under the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, the presentation focused on the then Subedar Bondu Ahir of Azamgarh, the hero of India’s first freedom struggle, outlined the history of the district while enthralling the audience. The role of Azamgarh in the struggle of 1857 and the story of the rebellion led by Bondu Ahir has been shown in this presentation staged by Sutradhar Sansthan in Nautanki style. Bondu Ahir rebelled in the Azamgarh police line on June 2, 1857 and along with Nanaji Peshwa fought a battle from Faizabad to Lucknow till Kanpur.

Abhishek Pandit, director of the play Abhishek Pandit , who was the Subedar of the 17th Battalion,
said that it is found in the history of the freedom struggle that the rebels of the 17th Battalion fought more. Bondu Ahir was the Subedar of the 17th Battalion. The strongest aspect in the presentation of the play was the singing and music of the actors, which was coordinated by Neeraj Kushwaha of Bharatendu Natya Academy. Shashikant Kumar and Mamta Pandit won accolades in the role of Nat Nati in the play. The script of this play has been written by Sheshpal Singh while the research has been done by senior police officer Pratap Gopendra.

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