Tantya Tope was a talented freedom fighter who had the capability that could delight the darkness. At the potency of his unique capacity and intellegence he fought the first independence war so fiercely that British too staggered.
Tantya Tope was so bold that with in two years of revolutionary period he waged war on one hundred fifty fronts and with his marvellous commandership astonished the commanders of British army.
He was well versed in night raid war.
‘Ganimi Kava’ means ‘night raid war’ was the militarism of Chhatrapati Shivaji which Tantya adopted with his intelligence and with untrained soldiers vuanquished the British rule. Even in adverse environments Tantya showed his intelligency that impressed British also. A literate compared him with indepdendence hero Gary Baldy of Italy.
Marathi literate remarked him as last hero of Shivaji’s progeny. Several heros appeared in war of 1857 but radiance of Tantya Tope was more effective and most intellegent.
Family base and birth
Tantya was born in a Desusth Brahamin family in Yevla village in Ahemad Nagar district. His grandfather Trimbakji Bhatt was a family priest of Sardar Vinchurkar. It is importance to note here that Bhatt was not his cast but Maharashtrians are accustomed to call that person ‘Bhatt’ who acts as priest in one’s family.
Trimbakji’s eldest son Pandurang was a scholar. He was an expert of religious ceremonies. His skills was also heared by the then Peshwa Bajirao.
Peshwa Bajirao was a person of religious nature and used to respect the scholars. When he heard about the erudition of Pandurang he called him to Pune. He employed him. Now onwards whenever any relegious cermony took place Pandurang Bhatt had to perormed it.
Real name of Tantya was Ram Chander Yevalkar. Historians are not of one opinion about his year of date of birth. Infact there is no concrete proof by which his birth year may be confirmed.
The list of his arrest by British in 1858 had information about his age and date of birth. In that list his age was declared 42 years, by that reckoning his birth year should be 1816.
To the contrary Tantya mentioned in his written statement in 1859 that his age is 45 years, accordingly his birth year is 1814. His family members too confirmed this birth year.
Tantya’s father’s name was Pandurang and mother’s name was Rukma Bai. After Tantya’s birth Rukma Bai gave birth to another child who was named Gangdhar.
Actually in spite of being the owner of Maratha empire Peshwa had all power in his hands whereas he was merely Prime Minister. Chhattrapati Partap Singh was seduced and alongwith British under his saffron flag he attacked Bajirao.
Chhatrapati was with the British hence Maratha chiefs were confused that with whom they stand by—either Chhatrapati or Peshwa?
Seeing the combined forces of British and Chhatrapati Peshwa Bajirao fled and thus British easily infurled their flag at his palace ended the Peshwa rule.
Peshwa depart to Bithur
Later on Peshwa Bajirao surrendered to the British. British took decision to keep him away from other Martha chiefs so that they might not create troubles. Hence they asked Bajirao to leave Pune and select some other part of North India to live in. British fixed a pension of Rs. eight lac per annum for him.
Bajirao then settled himself at Bithur district in Kanpur alongwith relatives, movable property and with his followers and army.
Pandurang with his family accompanied Bajirao. At that time Tantya was four year old and his younger brother Gangadhar was of two years.
British consigned fiefs of Ramel and Bithur villages to Bajirao.
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