Hanwant Singh
Also called: Raja of Kalakankar · Topic: The Revolt of 1857 · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Rebels and the Raj"
Meaning
Hanwant Singh was the Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli in Awadh. He was a taluqdar, a big landholder who controlled many villages. The British had taken away much of his land. His words in 1857 show why the taluqdars of Awadh joined the revolt.
Example
In 1857 Hanwant Singh gave shelter to a British officer who was running from the rebels, and kept him safe. When they parted, he told the officer: "At one blow you took from me lands… now I march… to Lucknow to try and drive you from the country."
Related concepts
- Annexation of Awadh
- Wajid Ali Shah
- Summary Settlement of 1856
- Taluqdar
- Nursery of the Bengal Army
- Bengal Army
- Sepoy grievances