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Nargund Uprising of 1858

Gadag, Karnataka

November 01, 2022

Baba Saheb of Nargund (Bhaskar Rao Bhave)

Following the footsteps of Nana Saheb and others, Bhaskar Rao Bhave, fondly called Baba Saheb, a Zamindar rebelled against the British in 1858 at Nargund (Modern-day Gadag district, Karnataka).

Baba Saheb was at odds with the British since when they rejected his application to pass on his lands to his adopted son. He began gathering weapons secretly to fight the British and formed alliances with his neighbors. Mundargi Bhimarao, a former Mamledar, Kenchan Gowda, the Desais of Hammigi, and the Desais of Dambal and Soratur extended their support to Baba Saheb. Likewise, he successfully persuaded about 2500 men to join his rebellion. He then marched against Manson, the British officer from Bombay, and decapitated him after the latter killed a follower of the former. The British army marched to Nargund fort on 1st June. Baba Saheb, upon realizing the treachery of his close associates sought help from Bhimrao and Kenchan Gowda. But they were busy fighting the British at Koppal. The British force killed around 70 men and burned the possessions of Saheb. Though escaped from the fort, he was later captured at Toragal forest. He was tried and hanged on 12 June 1858, at Belgaum.

The heroes of Nargund devised a daring attack and fought bravely to the very end despite strong British opposition. Their illustrious example continues to inspire patriotism among the people to this day.

Source: Indian Culture Portal

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