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A chain of grievances led the North and the surrounding regions to unitedly fight in the rebellion against the British in 1857. Many leaders led these various forces, here’s the story of one such ruler named Birjis Qadr who dedicated his whole life towards this battle.
Born on 20th August 1845
With the emergence of tyrannical British rule, the nation began to brew a revolution to force the oppressors from leaving their homeland. The entire country was fuming due to these uninvited visitors who were extending their stay by the day, showing no signs of returning back to their land to the West. North India especially, charged with a vengeance against these Britishers, in hope of freedom and kickstarting the first battle for Independence, which we now know as the Revolt of 1857.
Yet the Britishers were showing no signs of defeat despite the rebellious Indians blatantly refusing their loyalty towards the Crown. One spark of rebellion ignited spread across the entire plains like a forest fire, which also hit the then known region of Oudh.
A popular king named Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was thrown into exile in 1856 by the Britishers on the account of misrule which was unjustly charged. The underlying motive was to complete the territorial annexation of the entire North, and Oudh was the only sweet spot remaining.
The Britishers thought they could rule India easily, but their biggest drawback was that they knew absolutely nothing about the so-called “Orient” and their natives. They underestimated the popularity of the king, which made the entire region of Oudh roar in the name of their Majesty. Peasants, sepoys, taluqdars regardless of their occupation or religion united to defend their land. Even though their King was sent off to Calcutta, a prince awaited to lead them.
The Nawab and his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal had given birth to a baby boy on 20th August 1845. Named Birjis Qadr by his grandfather, Qadr had grown up in the shadows of his father, learning everything one possibly could about one’s love for the nation and the tough fight which lay ahead.
With his father in exile, Qadr was declared the Nawab of Awadh by his mother Begum Hazrat due to the increasing pressure by the people of Oudh.
A young boy of eleven years old was made responsible for a historic rebellion, this was the desperation of the Indians to break free from the heavy chains of the British. Despite his young age, the natives fully had their faith in Qadr, a boy who was indeed extraordinary and was perhaps the only one who could rightfully lead them.
Birjis got support from the majority of people, including Bahadur Shah Zafar seated at Delhi who officially gave permission for his coronation and also awarded him with the title of Wazir.
Although one can say Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was fortunate to have a courageous son like Birjis, he was also lucky to have his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal, a fearless woman perpetually ready to stand beside her family and her people. Together, the mother-son duo left no stone unturned to defend The Residency, which the forces under James Outram and Henry Havelock in September 1857 had managed to breach and enter.
After multiple battles between the rebels and the firangis, the latter ultimately got entire control of the city of Lucknow by March 1858, which left the Begum and his son no choice but to find refuge elsewhere. Now aware of Birjis’ influence, the Britishers tried to persuade the Begum by offering both mercy and pension. Yet this duo had no bone in them which could bend to the will of the British and therefore refused to surrender.
Qadr and his mother fled to the countryside of Baundi where they still found a way to mobilize forces to attack the British. However, all was in vain, for the British defeated them regardless of their efforts. In the end, they both crossed the West Rapti River to take refuge in Kathmandu, Nepal.
In 1893, Qadr returned back to Kolkata after the death of his parents and witnessed the colonial empire at its peak. Believing that he was the rightful heir of his father’s possessions and deserved a large pension due to his status, Birjis put forward his demands to the crown. Before he went to England to demand his needs personally to the Queen, a bunch of his jealous family members poisoned him and his children, leading to their death on 14 August 1893.
This was a cowardly act of treachery done against a man so noble. According to the historian Sherar,
INDIA LOST THE LAST MAN WHO HAD EVER DONNED
THE CROWN AND GRACED THE THRONE"
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