Though Tantya was not handsome but he had attaractive and fascinating personality. Although he know little english, but he had a good command over Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu. He speak these languages fluently.
His style of addressing the masses was such that audience easily get attracted towards him. Whatever he speak was steady and balanced. In addition he possess a special quality that is not to lose heart and be positive in adverse situations. He was simply an attendant of Nana Sahib till he fell in the hands of British. In whatever he performed was on behalf of Nana Sahib, but that was clearly recognised the ability of Tantya. It proves that remained behind the curtain he proved his existence everywhere with his workmanship.
Fire of discontentment
Fire of dissatisfaction was heart the sentiment of Indians. There was a feeling of displeasure in every Indian heart against the British. There airocities had gone beyond tolerance.
Everyone was understanding it better that if British rule continues for long then the culture, religion and social structure will be erared.
Every Indian had the strong desire that British reign be uprooted then and then only Indian culture can be safe guarded.
A silent fire was burning in everyones heart. But the question remained couanswored. Who should ignite it? Who should be the leader of this war? How fire could set that regin of British reduced to ashes forever?
British were unknown that few brave ones are ready to fulfil the public desire. Nana Sahib, Tantya Tope and Azmimulla Khan carried out this plan. Infact British himself created Nana Sahib againt them.
Seeds of revolution
Peshwa Baji Rao died at the age of 67 on 28th January 1851. But ten years before his death he had accomplished his succession certificate and the same was admitted his legacy.
According to it—
“Governing body of British Company Govt is hearby informed that my elder son Ghoro Pant will be the next Peshwa and also the owner of wealth and militia. His sons and grandsons will enjoy the wealth and state rights as per tradition of dynasty.”
There were signuatures of five witnesses on this legacy. Among them British commissinor of the area had also signed.
Seeds of revolution against British germinated in Nana Sahib’s mind after the death of Peshwa. Nana Sahib has to pay five charities—elephant, horse, gold, Zen and land to Brahamins as per ritual after cremation of Peshwa.
First four charities Nana performed easily but when comes the land Nana Sahib came to know that he does not possess any land for charity.
Nana Sahib felt very sad but charity traditions could be performed till the first death anniversary. So he did not worry about it. And after getting rid of these formalities Nana Sahib wrote a letter to Governor General Lord Dalhousie that he is the successor of Baji Rao hence the pension (8 lac per annum) assigned to him be transferred to me.
But Dalhousie was a wicked man. He did not lose any chance in which Indians may felt humiliated. He did not differenciate between Kings and common folk. It would be proper to say that he believed in casting all in the same mould.
His reply o Nana Sahib’s was like this “Baji Rao get pension up to thirty three years. Thus he get an amount of two and a half crore and he left behind property of twenty eight lac only for his relatives. As per rule his family members have no right over his pension. As wealth is concerned Baji Rao has left sufficient for his family members.”
Nana Sahib felt humiliated but he did not keep mum. He appealed against Dalhousie’s decision to the Directors of East India Company but they also rejected his damand saying that adpoted son cann’t be considered as a legal heir. In addition he was deprived of the fiefs of Ramel and Bithur.
Now Nana Sahib was an ordinary citizen of India. He was perfect in restraint and intelligence. Ergo he sent a delegation under the leadership of his faithful Azimulla Khan to England to put his case infront of board of directors. But he too had failed.
Board of directors was of the opinion that Dalhousie was right.
Rango Bapu representative of degraded Chhatarpati Partap Singh too reached there to appeal against injustice towards his master.
Both met there and decided on the bank of Tames River that British only understand the sword’s language and should be teread severely. Azimullah Khan took the responsibility to instigate revolution in north India and in South by Rango Bapu.
Shopping Cart
