Nana Sahib

Nana Sahib, also known as Dhondu Pant, was one of the key leaders of the Indian Revolt of 1857, often regarded as the first major uprising against British colonial rule in India. Revered as a symbol of resistance and patriotism, Nana Sahib’s leadership in Kanpur (Cawnpore) made him one of the most prominent figures in the struggle to end British domination. His life reflects the complexities of Indian politics during the nineteenth century, marked by dispossession, rebellion, and the fight for sovereignty.

Early Life and Background

Nana Sahib was born in May 1824 in Bithoor, near Kanpur (in present-day Uttar Pradesh). He was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha Empire, who had been defeated by the British East India Company during the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818).
After his defeat, Baji Rao II was pensioned off by the British and allowed to live in Bithoor, where he led a comfortable life on an annual pension of around eight lakh rupees granted by the Company. Nana Sahib was adopted by Baji Rao II as his heir, and following the Peshwa’s death in 1851, he assumed charge of his household and estates in Bithoor.
However, the British East India Company refused to recognise Nana Sahib’s claim to his adoptive father’s pension, invoking the controversial Doctrine of Lapse policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, which denied adopted heirs the right to inherit titles or pensions. This refusal became the principal cause of Nana Sahib’s resentment against British authority.

Grievances and Growing Discontent

The denial of the pension was not merely a personal loss for Nana Sahib but also a deep insult to his status and dignity. The British decision effectively reduced him from a royal heir to an ordinary nobleman, stripping him of his recognition and prestige.
Alongside his personal grievances, the broader political and social discontent in the 1850s provided a fertile ground for rebellion. Discontent among Indian soldiers (sepoys) over issues such as low pay, lack of promotion, and religious interference, particularly the introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges rumoured to be greased with cow and pig fat, created widespread unrest.
Nana Sahib’s residence at Bithoor became a centre of political discussion and anti-British sentiment. His close associates included Azimullah Khan, his political adviser and diplomat, and Tantia Tope, a trusted military commander who later became a leading revolutionary figure.

Role in the Revolt of 1857

When the Indian Revolt of 1857 began in Meerut in May 1857, the uprising quickly spread to various parts of northern and central India. By June, Kanpur became one of the major centres of rebellion under Nana Sahib’s leadership.
Outbreak at Kanpur: The British garrison at Kanpur, led by General Hugh Wheeler, fortified their position inside an entrenchment. Nana Sahib initially assured them of safe passage but later decided to lead the rebels in a full-scale attack on the British camp.
After a prolonged siege lasting about three weeks, the British defenders, facing shortages of food, water, and ammunition, surrendered on 27 June 1857. Nana Sahib promised them safe conduct to Allahabad via boats on the Ganges River. However, as the departing British boarded the boats, firing broke out—an incident later known as the Satichaura Ghat Massacre.
The Satichaura Ghat Tragedy: The precise sequence of events remains debated. Some accounts suggest it was an unplanned clash caused by panic and confusion, while British narratives portrayed it as a deliberate act of treachery. In the ensuing chaos, many British soldiers and civilians were killed. The surviving women and children were taken captive.
The Bibighar Massacre: Subsequently, when British forces under General Henry Havelock and General Neill advanced toward Kanpur, the rebels executed the British captives at a house known as Bibighar (House of the Ladies). This act, often attributed to the rebels under local commanders, provoked outrage among the British and was used extensively in colonial propaganda to justify brutal reprisals.

Retreat and Disappearance

After the fall of Kanpur in July 1857, British forces recaptured the city and carried out severe retribution against suspected rebels and civilians. Nana Sahib, along with his close associates, fled toward Bithoor and later moved into the Nepalese Terai region, continuing resistance efforts.
Although the British offered substantial rewards for his capture, Nana Sahib was never apprehended. His exact fate remains a mystery; various accounts suggest that he may have either died in Nepal or lived in hiding under an assumed identity. His disappearance gave rise to legends portraying him as a fugitive hero who continued to inspire resistance against colonial rule.

Associates and Military Leadership

Nana Sahib’s cause was supported by several notable leaders of the 1857 uprising:

• Tantia Tope: His general and one of the most brilliant guerrilla commanders of the revolt.
• Azimullah Khan: Political adviser and diplomat, known for his eloquence and efforts to secure foreign support for the rebellion.
• Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi: Although operating independently, she was part of the broader network of anti-British resistance.

Together, these leaders symbolised a revival of Indian nationalism rooted in both personal grievance and collective opposition to foreign domination.

British Response and Aftermath

The British reaction to the events at Kanpur was swift and ruthless. Following the recapture of the city, British soldiers executed thousands of suspected rebels and civilians, including those only loosely connected to the uprising. The “Cawnpore Massacre” became one of the most emotive events in British colonial history, used to justify extreme repressive measures across India.
In official British accounts, Nana Sahib was depicted as a traitor and the principal instigator of the massacre. In contrast, Indian nationalist interpretations view him as a freedom fighter who struck a blow against imperial injustice.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Nana Sahib’s legacy remains deeply embedded in India’s national memory. Despite his controversial actions during the revolt, he is remembered as one of the earliest leaders to challenge British authority on a large scale. His defiance symbolised the anger of a generation of Indians who had suffered under colonial exploitation and the denial of traditional rights.
In Indian Historiography:

• He is celebrated as a patriot who resisted foreign rule and sought to restore Indian sovereignty.
• His leadership at Kanpur demonstrated organisational ability and strategic initiative, even though the rebellion eventually failed.

In British Historiography:

• He was portrayed as a ruthless rebel responsible for atrocities, reflecting the colonial narrative that sought to legitimise repressive countermeasures.

Modern Perspective: Contemporary historians regard Nana Sahib as a product of his time — a dispossessed aristocrat whose personal grievance became the spark for political rebellion. The revolt he led, though unsuccessful, marked the beginning of a broader national awakening that eventually culminated in India’s independence movement.

Monuments and Memory

Today, Nana Sahib is honoured in India as a freedom fighter. Memorials and public places in Kanpur and other parts of Uttar Pradesh bear his name. His leadership and courage continue to inspire discussions about resistance, justice, and the complexities of colonial history.