Unsung Heroes | History Corner | Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India

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Paying tribute to India’s freedom fighters

Bakht Khan

Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh

January 10, 2023 to January 10, 2024

During the Indian rebellion of 1857, general Bakht Khan served as a commander-in-chief in the region of the state Delhi of the Indian independent forces. He worked against the East India Company.

For more on the First War of Independence, read: https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2631

General Bakht Khan was born in 1797 and died in 1859. He belonged to Rohilla whereas his mother was an Awadhi princess. He was born in the region of Uttar Pradesh (Rohilkhand) in the district of Bijnor. Later, in the army of the East India Company, he became a subedar who is referred to as the chief native commanding officer. He gained forty years of experience in the Bengal horse artillery. Subedar Bakht Khan was popular among the British Officers before he turned a rebel.

Bakht Khan was even familiar with those officers who were to serve against him during the blockade of Delhi in 1857. He was described as the “most intelligent character” by British officers. He suffered a financial crisis during the time of war. After being deported from Delhi, he was wounded by the British during the time of rebellion and breathed his last in the Terai plains of Nepal in 1859. He provided leadership in the first war of independence. A Pakistani film was also picturized in 1979 concerning the Indian rebellion of 1857, titled ‘General Bakht Khan’.

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