Bhilwara district of Rajasthan shares its border with the former princely states of Mewar, Bundi, and Kishangarh (Ajmer). The Meena’s of Bhilwara and surrounding areas were considered disruptive, defiant, and outrageous by the princely state and the colonial government.
In a letter written in August 1855, Sir Henry Lawrence deemed the Meena’s as “naturally lawless” but not without redemption. He proposed to form a Meena corps in the Jahazpur area, but several Rajput states expressed their reluctance to the said corps. As the first call for uprising was raised in 1857, Meena’s too, joined in. Calling out the hakim of Jahazpur, they demanded the liberation of prisoners and attacked a village and the British territory in Ajmer. Revolutionary forces from Gwalior closed in on Tonk and Jaipur. In Ajmer, they blocked the traffic on highways and created disruptions sending shockwaves throughout the country.
In 1858, Tantiya Tope’s resistance positioned itself as an infant of Bhilwara. After being defeated by the British forces, Tantiya tope retreated. Later in November 1858, in the after of the 1857 uprising, the Queen’s proclamation was issued and the Meena revolt was subdued.
Source: Indian Culture Portal