Important Events 1857 – 1858 – 1859 – 1860

1857

22 January
The sepoys at Dumdum become uneasy about the new cartridges.
January- March
Unrest among the sepoys on the greased cartridge question; outbreaks at Berhampore and Barrackpore, the chapaties pass from village to village.
24 April
Meerut 3rd Light Cavalry; rebellious conduct followed by court-martial.
10 May
Meerut 3rd Light Cavalry, 11th N.I. revolt. Rebels kill officers and other Europeans and burn bungalows, set off for Delhi.
11 May
Rebels arrive Delhi; proclaim Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor, murder Europeans, Delhi troops, 5th Light Fd Battery Foot Artillery, 3rd Bn 2nd company,38th N.I. and 54th N.I. all Revolt. Magazine blown up by Lt. Willought by and handful of British, European survivors retreat first to Flagstaff Tower, and then Karnal. Delhi and surrounding area in the control of the rebels.
20 May
At Aligarh a portion of the 9th N.I revolt, followed at Mainpuri and Bulandshahr on the 22nd and Etawa on 23rd, by the remainder of the regiment.
30 May
Revolt at Lucknow, 7th Light Cavalry, and (portion of ) the 13th N.I., 48th N.I. amd 71st N.I. Outbreak at Mathura; rebels march to Delhi. Battle of the Hindun River.
31 May
Bareilly, 18th N.I. , 68th N.I. , 15th Light Fd Battery, and 8th lrreg,Cavalry revolt. Khan Bahadur Khan , a government pensioner takes the lead, and is proclaimed ruler under the King of Delhi. At Shahjahanpur the 28 th N.I. revolts and attacks the Christians. At Agra the native regiments are disarmed; Moradabad in open revolt.
1 June
At Morababad the 29th N.I. revolts. Sepoys at Mathura shoot officers and march for Delhi Outbreak at Budaon.
2 June
5th N.I. revolts at Saharanpur.
3 June
At Neemuch the entire force revolt viz. 1st Light Cavalry, 4th Troop 1st Brigade horse artillery,15th Light Fd Battery,72nd N.I. N.I. At Azamgarh the 17th N.I. revolts. At Sitapur the 41st N.I. revolts with particular ferocity against the European officers civilians Abbas Ali proclaim himself the ruler in Moradabad.
4 June
Partial revolt at Benares by 37th N.I. General Neill arrives and disarms some troops. Revolt at Kanpur by 2nd light cavalary, 1st N.I. ,74th N.I. , and 56th N.I. First Group of Europeans leaves Fatehgarh.
5 June
53rd N.I. Joins the revolt at Kanpur, General Wheeler calls all Europeans and Christians into his entrenchments
6 June
Siege of Wheeler’s entrenchment at Kanpur begins. Nana Sahib joins the rebels and is proclaimed Peshwa,12th N.I. at Jhansi revolt, and massacre of the European follows; 4th company 9th Bn Artillery at Azamgarh revolt. Nawab of Rampur visits Moradabad take charge.
8 June
The Battle of Badle ki serai in Delhi; British troops occupy the Ridge, and the ‘siege’ of the Delhi begins. At Phillour the 3rd N.I. revolt. At Faizabad the 22nd N.I., and the 13th Lt. Fd Battery 5th Bn 2nd company revolt.
11 June
Brigadier General James Neill arrives at Allahabad. Jhansi rebels leave for Delhi.
12 June
Massacre by Nana Sahib of 130 Europeans fugitives from Fatehgarh at Bithur.
15 June
Wajid Ali Shah, ex-king of Awadh and chief councillors imprisoned in Fort William in Calcutta. Bareilly Brigade reaches Moradabad en route for Delhi.
16 June
Maulvi Liaqat Ali files from Allahabad. Nawab’s rule proclaimed at Fatehgarh.
18 June
At Fatehgarh the 10th N.I. (previously loyal) eventually break into revolt. Mewati and pathan
villages in Allahabad district attacked and destroyed by the British.
25 June
At Kanpur The Nana Shahib offers terms to Wheeler in the entrenchment. Revolt at Malthone.
Sack of Delhi.
27 June
Massacre at Satichaura Ghat, Kanpur.
28 June

Fatehgarh Fort besieged by rebels. Nagode gaol. Broken into.
30 June
British defeated at Chinhat ; Lucknow Residency surrounded and besieged. Bulandshahr captured by Walidad Khan.
2 July
Bakht Khan arrives in Delhi with the Bareilly brigade. Pearson’s Battery and Cavalry revolt at Agra.
4 July
Massacre at Rampore on Ganges of European fugitives from Fatehgah / Farrukhabad. Sir Henry Lawrence, dies in the Lucknow Residency.
7 July
General Havelock leaves Allahabad en route for Kanpur.
12 July
Fatehpur occupied by Havelock.
15 July
Action at Anog ( Renaud killed), And at Pandu Nadi. Massacre of the Ladies i.e. Bibighur massacre at Kanpur.
16 July
Nana Sahib defeated by Havelock at Fatehpur, and First Battle of Kanpur. Nana Sahib orders all Bengali Babus to be apprehended.
17 July
Havelock enters Kanpur and Nana Sahib retreats to Bithur.
25 July
The Danapur Brigade revolts, i.e. The 7th N.I., 8th N.I. & 40th N.I.
27 July
Siege of Arrah House Begins.
28 July
Parade Ground Massacre at Farruckhabad (Fatehpur). Azimgarh evacuated by the British.
29 July
Havelock defeats rebels at Unnao.
31 July
The large rebel force from Mhow and Indore arrives at Gwalior, leaving Scindia helpless to prevent their onwards march towards Agra.
3 August
Arrah house relived by Major Eyre.

5 August
Havelock defeats the rebels at Bashiratganj. Kunwar Singh reported to have proclaimed himself King of Shahbad.
8 August
Khan Bahadur Khan’s forces from Bareilly reported as advacing to attack Nainital. Rebels’ gunpowder factory in Delhi blown up.
11 August
Eyre burns Kunwar Singh’s palace at Jagdishpur.
12 August
Havelock defeats Awadh rebels in the third battle of Bashiratganj
13 August
Havelock defeats Awadh rebels in the third battle of Bashiratganj
14 August
Havelock Column under John Nicholson arrives at Delhi. Kunwar Singh arrives at Sassaram.
16 August
Havelock defeats the forces of Nana Sahib at Bithur.
17 August
Sir Colin Campbell takes over duties as British Commander-in- Chief.
19 August
At Ferozepur the 10th Light Cavalry revolt Kunwar Singh at Akbarpur. Amar Singh threatens to
burn Dehri.
20 August
Kunwar Singh at Rohtasgarh.
25 August
Firoz Shah, Shahzada, placed on the musund at Mandsaur.
26 August
Outbreak at Mandsaur.
29 August
At Peshawar the disarmed 51st N.I. revolts. Many are slaughtered. Kunwar Singh arrives in
Ramgarh and plunders Ghorawal.
7 September
Kunwar Sngh closes road to Rewa.
8 September
Kuwar Singh marches through Mirzapur and reported to have arrived in Rewa. Jung Bahadur’s Gurkhas arrive at Jaunpur.

14 September
British begin the assault on Delhi.
19 September
Havelock and Outram set out for Lucknow from Kanpur.
20 September
After a fierce fighting, Delhi finally conquered by the British.
21 September
Captain Hodson claims to have captured the King of Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar at Humayun’s Tomb.
22 September
Hodson murders the Mughal Princes.
25 September
Lucknow Residency relieved by Havelock, Neill and Tytler Killed, together with 600 other British casualties.
29 September
Kunwar Singh reaches Banda. Said to be accompanied by 1800 of Danapore rebels.
5 October
Walidad Khan reaches Bareilly with 500 followers. Greathed’s Column meets opposition at Aligarh.
8 October
Nawab of Banda attacks fortress of Ajaigarh.
13 October>
Mirza Bakhtwar Shah and Mirza Mendu, sons of the king of Delhi, tried by the British and shot beside the Jumna.
15 October
Gwailor Contingent join the rebels. Outbreak at Kotah.
19 October
Kunwar Singh with the 40th BNI reaches Kalpi via Banda.
29 October
Tatya Tope with Gwalior Contigent arrives at Jalaun.
7 November
Gwalior Contingent and 40th BNI (with Kunwar Singh) join in and begin advancing to Kanpur.
17 November
Sir Colin Campbell relieves and evacuates the Lucknow Residency, leaving Outram at the Alambagh; rebels see his withdrawal from Awadh as a great victory.

24 November
Havelock dies of dysentery; buried in the Alambagh.
27 November
Gwalior Contingent attacks Nawabganj (Unnao) and forces the British to retire into entrenchments.
3 December
Campbell dispatches all the ladies and sick, ex Lucknow Residency, to Allahabad.
6 December
Campbell defeats Tatya Tope in the third battle of Kanpur.

1858

6 Janurary
Campbell re-occupies Fatehgarh. Sir Hugh Rose begins Central India Campaign.
7 Janurary
Trial of Bahadur Shah Zafar begins in The Red Fort,Delhi. (ends on March 9th)
14 Janurary
Rani of Jhansi issues a proclamation against the British “Victory of religion”
23 January
Rebels mustering again at Kalpi.
28 Janurary
Fortress of Rahatgarh taken by Rose.
3 February
Sir Hugh Rose relieves Sagar.
5 February
Action at Ayodhya between rebels Jung Bahadur’s Gurkhas.
7 February
General Whitlock with Madras troops arrives in Jabalpur.
10 February
Nana Sahib at Naubatganj.
12 February
Kunwar Singh reported to be arriving at Ayodhya.
18 February
Proclamation issued by Firoz Shah at Bareilly.
25 February

Nana Sahib reported to be at Kalpi.
1 March
Tehri troops beaten by Rani’s forces. Charkhari captured.
2-21 March
Campbell retakes Lucknow ; drives out the rebels led by the Maulvi of Faizabad and the begum of Awadh. Lucknow stormed on 14th.
16 March
Nana Sahib reported to be at Shahjahanpur.
17 March
Brigadier Stuart takes Chanderi by storm. Battle of Atraulia, Victory for Kunwar Singh.
18 March
Nawab of Farrukhabad and Banda, Raja Tej Singh of Mainpuri, Khan Bahadur Khan of Bareilly, Walidad Khan specifically excluded from the benefit. (i.e. Free pardon etc.) of British Proclamation offering a reward of rupees one lakh to rebel betraying Nana Sahib.
21 March
Rose arrives at Jhansi.
22 March
Millman besieged in Azimgarh by Kunwar Singh.
23 March
Investment of Jhansi begins.
24 March
Explosion in Khan Bahadur Khan’s gunpowder factory at Bareilly. Nana Sahib arrives at Bareilly.
26 March
Kunwar Singh occupies Azamgarh.
1 April
Battle of Betwa River. Rose defeats Tatya Tope.
3 April
Jhansi captured and sacked.
5 April
Jhansi fort taken by the British. Rani, with her step-son, reaches Kunch.
6 April
Lord Mark Kerr relieves Azamgarh.
15 April

General Walpole defeated at Royah; Brigadier Adrian hope killed.
16 April
Kunwar Singh driven Azamgarh by General Lugarh.
17 April
Rao Sahib issues proclamation to Chiefs of Bundelkund. Kunwar Singh attacked by Brigadier
Douglas near Azamgarh.
18 April
Battle of Banda.
21 April
Kunwar Singh crosses the Ganges at Sheopur Ghat and is mortally wounded while doing so.
22 April
Princes Firoz Shah reaches Moradabad.
23 April
Kunwar Singh defeats the British under Le Grand at Jagdishpur. Rose captures Kalpi.
24 April
Forces of Nawab of Rampur drive Firoz Shah from Moradabad.
26 April
Death of Kunwar Singh.
28 April
Rao Sahib encamped at Jalalpur to oppose Whitlock Gukha army reaches Faizabad and Ayodhya.
3 May
Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah, with large force comes from Mohammadi to Shahjahanpur.
6 May
Battle of Bareilly, included the famous change of the Ghazis of whom 133 were bayoneted.
Bareilly taken but rebel leaders escaped.
8 May
Battle of Kunch, Rose defeats Tatya Tope.
10 May
General Lugard occupied Jagdishpur.
11 May
Amar Singh defeated by Corfield near Piru but manages to escape. Battle of Shahjahpur.
13 May
Rebels Menace British position and camp at Jagdishpur.

15 May
Rebel leaders including Nana Sahib, Khan Bahadur Khan and Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah all in vicinity of Shahjahanpur.
22 May
Battle of Kalpi, Rose captures the arsenal of Kalpi.
24 May
Second Battle of Shahjahanpur rebels defeated by Campbell and driven back to Mohammadi but followed up; British occupy Mohammadi.
25 May
Hamirpur occupied by the British.
1 June
Rani of Jhansi, Rao Sahib and Tatya Tope capture Gwalior. Nawab of Banda also present. Lushkar and Gwalior fort occupied. Madho Singh captured by Rose.
12 June
Battle of Nawabganj; Sir Hope Grant defeats 16000 rebels in final decisive battle In Awadh. Amar Singh returns to Buxar. Khan Bahadur Khan attacks Shahjanpur.
15 June
Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah attacks Pawayan, and is killed.
16 June
Battle of Morar. Raja of Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah to the British at Shahjahanpur to claim the rewards.
17 June
Battle of Kota-Ki- Serai; death of Rani of Jhansi.
19 June
Battle of Gwalior. City is occupied.
20 June
Gwalior fort captured by Rose. Battle of Jaora. Alipur Scindia returns to Gwlior.
5 July
Banpur Raja surrenders to the British.
9 July
Tonk occupied by rebels, Firoz Shah reported to be with them.
10 July
Shahgarh raja surrenders. Rebel force reaches Rampur.
11 July
Ramnagar occupied by the rebels.

26 July
Pawayan and Shahjahanpur reported as ‘seriously threatened’ by Awadh rebels.
27 July
Force besieging Shahganj breaks up.
31 July
Sir Hope Grant relieves Raja Man Singh besieged by rebels.
1 November
Queen Victoria’s proclamation abolishing the rule of the East India Company in India and instituting her own.
12 November
Battle of Shankarpur Beni Madho driven northwards, reported as joining up with Bala Rao.
25 November
Raja of Gonda defeated by Sir Patrick Grant, Gonda occupied.
5 December
Nana Sahib was reported was reported as crossing the Ganga between Fatehgarh and Kanpur.
6 December
Firoz Shah and Walidad Khan reported at Aroul.
17 December
Firoz Shah’s brief encounter with British force under Napier.
23 December
Bala Rao driven from Tulsipur and retreats into Nepal.
December
Bihar rebels finally dispersed.

1859

7 January
The rebellion in Awadh officially declared at an end.
9 January
Prince Firoz Shah cuts his way across Awadh and the Ganges; joins Tatya Tope temporarily.
29 January
Nawab of Farrukhabad arrives at Fatehgarh, under arrest.
28 March
Nana Sahib, Begum of Awadh reported to be at Butwal.
7 April

Khan Bahadur Khan, Begum of Awadh, Nana Sahib and Birjis Qadr reported to be in the fort of
Niacote in Nepal.
8 April
Tatya Tope betrayed and captured.
18 April
Tatya Tope hanged.
20 April
Nana Sahib sends Ishtiharnama to Queen Victoria. Petition to the English from Bala Rao.
8 July
State of peace officially declared throughout India.
24 September
The death of the Nana Sahib reported.
December
Amar Singh captured in the Terai by Jung Bahadur’s troops and handed over to the British.
9 December
Capture of Khan Bahadur Khan by Jung Bahadur reported.
7 December
Khan Bahadur Khan and Mammu Khan lodged in Lucknow Gaol.

1860

24 March
Khan Bahadur Khan of Bareilly hanged on the spot where he had raised the flag of revolt.
3 May
Jwala Prasad hanged at the Satichaura Ghat.