Home > Indian History > History of India > Reconquest Of Azamgarh And Oudh
Reconquest Of Azamgarh And Oudh
Reconquest of Azamgarh and Oudh was successfully carried out by the British but they had to pay huge prices for this.

Share this Article:

Lucknow had been the centre of every attraction amidst the commotion of the sepoy mutiny. Several districts, including the places of Allahabad, Delhi, Kanpur, Gwalior, Oudh, Benaras, Meerut and Agra had been conquered successfully. However, Lucknow was bewildering the British severely. None of the measures they were adopting, seemed to be working for their favour. Still, dogged as Sir Colin Campbell was, he made a last desperate attempt to storm the place. He was being assisted in this endeavour by the mighty Outram. The Lucknow Residency was their chosen spot for the commencement of action. Bit by bit, the British became triumphant to oust the native rebels entirely from the city.

Sir Colin was putting his last finishing strokes to his operations against Lakhnao (Lucknow). When, there occurred an event in the Azamgarh district which taxed very severely the resources immediately available to Lord Canning. On 27th March an express informed the Governor-General that, on the 22nd, Kunwar Singh, the famous chieftain of Western Bihar, had surprised the British force, under Colonel Milman, near Atraolia, 25 miles from Azamgarh. Singh had forced it to fall back in Azamgarh, and was besieging it. It was too true. Milman, whose force consisted of 206 men of the 37th foot and of 60 Madras Cavalry, had been caught off guard. They had fallen back, first on Koilsa, then on Azamgarh. The force had received reinforcements there of 46 men of the Madras Rifles (natives) and 280 men of his own regiment, the 37th foot, under Colonel Dames. Dames as senior officer, then assumed command. On the 27th, Dames had attempted a sortie, and had been beaten back.

The situation was a difficult one for Lord Canning, for Azamgarh was not very distant from Allahabad, where he was. And if Kunwar Singh were to compel the surrender of the force behind the walls of Azamgarh, the inferno might even reach Benaras. Realising to the fullest extent the possibilities which Kunwar Singh might utilise, while Oudh still remained un-subdued, Lord Canning took immediate and efficient measures to nip the evil in the bud.

There happened to be at Allahabad a wing of the 13th L.I., commanded by Lord Mark Kerr. Lord Canning sent for Lord Mark, explained to him the situation, and authorised him to take measures he might consider necessary to deal with it. That night Lord Mark started, with his wing, 391 strong, for Benaras. He picked up there a troop of the Queen`s Bays, seventeen gunners and one officer, with two six-pounder guns and two 5-inch mortars, and set out for Azamgarh the night of the 2nd of April. His entire force consisted of twenty-two officers and 444 men. On the evening of the 5th, he had reached Sarsana, eight miles from Azamgarh. Kunwar Singh had notice of his arrival there, and prepared an ambush for him. Singh wanted to entrap him, while he should be pushing on in the wee hours of the next morning. Lord Mark did so push on, and became entangled in the ambush. But by a display of collective coolness and courage, he not only disentangled his men, but also inflicted upon the rebels a crushing defeat, and relieved Azamgarh. It was one of the most brilliant achievements of the war.

The Commander-in-Chief had received news of Milman`s disaster on the 28th of March. Realising its full significance, he despatched at once General Lugard, with three English regiments, 700 Sikh sabres, and eighteen guns, to march, byway of Atraolia, to Azamgarh. There, Lugard was to deal with Kunwar Singh.

For the reconquest of Oudh, Sir Colin detailed one army corps under Hope Grant. They were to march to Ban, twenty-nine miles from Lakhnao (Lucknow). The troop was ordered to expel the rebels collected there under the Maulavi, to march eastward thence to Muhammadabad. Following the course of the Gogra, they were to reconnoitre Bitauli. From there, the battalion was to cover the return of the Nepal troops, under Jang Bahadur. Meanwhile, Hope Grant should be moving in that direction. Walpole, with a moveable column, was to march up the Ganga River, and await near Fathgarh the arrival of Sir Colin. Colin would draw to himself, as he advanced other columns converging to the same point.

Hope Grant carried out his instructions to perfection. He defeated the Maulavi at Bari, found Bitauli evacuated, saw Jang Bahadur on his way to the frontier, and then returned to protect the road between Kanhpur (Kanpur) and Lakhnao (Lucknow). That portion of the road was seriously threatened at Unao. Walpole was less successful. Obstinate, headstrong, and an indifferent soldier, he led his column against the fort of Ruyia, two miles from the Ganges, and fifty-one west by north from Lakhnao (Lucknow). He attacked it on its only unassailable face. After losing several men, and the most gifted soldier in the British army, the accomplished Adrian Hope, Walpole allowed the defenders to escape from the face which he himself should have assailed. He moved on from there and expelled the rebels from Sirsa. Walpole was joined on the Rohilkhand side of Fathgarh, on the 27th of April, by Sir Colin.

Seaton, who had been left at Fathgarh, took notice that the rebels had collected in considerable force in front of him. He thus had issued from that place on the 6th April, and had inflicted on them a crushing defeat at Kankar, between Aliganj and Bangaun. By this victory he secured the gates of Duab against an enemy emerging from either of the menaced provinces. Meanwhile, Penny, with another column, was moving down from Bulandshahr. Penny met Sir Colin at Fathgarh, on 24th April, then crossed the Ganges and marched on Usehat. He found that place deserted. Being told that his march to Budaun would not be opposed, Penny started on a night march for that place. But the rebels lay in ambush for him and surprised him. Although his column defeated them, Penny was slain. Colonel Jones of the Carabineers succeeded him. Under his orders the column marched to join Sir Colin at Miranpur Katra on the 3rd of May.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.