Birjis Qadr
Topic: The Revolt of 1857 · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Rebels and the Raj"
Meaning
Birjis Qadr was the young son of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. The British had deposed Wajid Ali Shah in 1856 on the plea of misgovernment. In 1857, after British rule in Lucknow collapsed, the people hailed the boy as their leader. His mother, Begum Hazrat Mahal, actually led the fight. His choice shows that rebels turned to pre-British royal families for leadership.
Example
In Lucknow in 1857, Birjis Qadr was declared leader. Under Begum Hazrat Mahal, the Lucknow court ran the war and planned counter-attacks until early 1858.
Don't confuse with
- Wajid Ali Shah: he was the deposed nawab, his father, who was exiled to Calcutta and took no part in leading the revolt.
Related concepts
- Sepoy panchayat
- Charles Ball
- Nana Sahib
- Azimullah Khan
- Rani Lakshmibai
- Tantia Tope
- Kunwar Singh
- Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Bakht Khan
- Khan Bahadur Khan