Tikait Umrao Singh was the landlord of Khatanga Estate, which is located in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. In the Great Rebellion of 1857, he played a pivotal role in opposing the East India Company forces. Earlier a part of the sepoys in the army, he shifted to Delhi after his discharge.
Singh encouraged soldiers in both Delhi and Ranchi to participate in the uprising and fight against the British. He drafted secret letters to soldiers all situated in different battalions of the army, urging them to resign and join the uprising against the Company. In Ranchi, he created an army led by him, Shaikh Bhikhari (the Diwan), Madho Singh (the Zamindar), Vishwanath Sahdeo, and Pandey Ganpat Rao. The people in the army broke open prison cells and freed the prisoners unjustly incarcerated by the British, who also joined in the battle against the British. They also burnt government records and their offices in Ranchi.
Umrao Singh was eventually captured, his property confiscated, and given a death sentence. He was hanged on 8th January 1958. But his contributions are not forgotten.
Source: Indian Culture Portal