Nana Sahib (1824-1857)
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | India's Struggle for Freedom |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | May 10, 1984 |
| Denomination | 50 p |
| Quantity | 1,499,992 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 12¾ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 991 Stamp Number IN 1056 Yvert et Tellier IN 807 Stanley Gibbons IN 1122 |
| Themes | Famous people | Freedom Fighters | Headgear | Men | Revolutionaries |
India’s Struggle for Freedom: Nana Sahib
Nana Sahib, a prominent figure in India’s First War of Independence (1857-1858), played a significant role in the uprising against the British East India Company’s rule.
Early Life and Background
Nana Sahib was born in 1824 to Narayan Bhatt and Ganga Bai. He belonged to the Maratha community and was raised in the court of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II, who adopted him, positioning him as the heir-presumptive to the Maratha throne. Nana Sahib received a good education, mastering Sanskrit and displaying a deep religious inclination.
Grievances and Rebellion
Upon the death of Peshwa Baji Rao II in 1851, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, annexed the Maratha territories, including Kanpur, and discontinued the pension and titles traditionally granted to the Peshwa family. This action deeply offended Nana Sahib, leading to his growing hostility towards British rule.
Leadership During the Rebellion
When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 erupted, Nana Sahib assumed a leadership role among the rebels in Kanpur. He seized control of Kanpur, which had a small British garrison, and declared himself as the Peshwa, intending to overthrow British authority in India completely.
Conflict and Retreat
British forces, under General Havelock, launched several campaigns to recapture Kanpur. The final major engagement between Nana Sahib’s forces and the British occurred on July 16, 1857, resulting in a decisive defeat for Nana Sahib. Following this defeat, Nana Sahib retreated to an unknown destination, possibly in Nepal, where his fate remains uncertain. It is believed that he perished in the jungles of Nepal around 1859.
Legacy and Commemoration
Nana Sahib’s leadership and defiance against British imperialism made him a symbol of resistance during the First War of Independence. His role in mobilizing forces and challenging British authority in Kanpur remains significant in India’s struggle for freedom.
The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department honors Nana Sahib’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle by issuing a commemorative stamp in his memory, alongside other notable freedom fighters who participated in the struggle against British rule.
This narrative captures Nana Saheb’s pivotal role during a crucial period in India’s history, illustrating his determination and leadership in challenging British dominance and fighting for India’s independence.