Thakur Dayal Singh Raghuvanshi
Thakur Dayal Singh (d. May 1858) was a prominent Rajput rebel leader from Senapur village, Taluqa Dobhi, District Jaunpur, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. As the chief of the Raghuvanshi Rajput clan in the region, he played a significant role in the 1857 Indian Rebellion, leading an armed resistance against British colonial rule in eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighboring areas.
Background
Thakur Dayal Singh hailed from Senapur in the Dobhi taluqa of Jaunpur district. He was recognized as the local chieftain of the Raghuvanshi Rajputs, a powerful martial clan in the region. Known for their pride and independence, the Rajputs of Dobhi responded with fervor to the call of rebellion that had begun in nearby districts like Ghazipur, Azamgarh, and Banaras (Varanasi) in 1857.
Role in the 1857 Rebellion
With news of the uprising spreading across northern India, Rajput warriors of Dobhi organized into an armed militia and launched attacks on British authorities and their Indian collaborators. The rebellion in Jaunpur intensified after Magistrate Fane delegated authority to Raja Sheo Ghulam Dubey, who failed to maintain control. In response, Thakur Dayal Singh and his Rajput forces:
- Raided Kirakat tehsil and surrounding districts.
- Cut British communication lines along the Banaras–Azamgarh road.
- Attempted a bold advance on Banaras.
During the initial clash with British regular troops, the Rajputs suffered losses but strategically withdrew. The monsoon season that followed severely affected their gunpowder supplies, forcing them to fight with swords, spears, and limited firearms.
One of the major battles occurred at Pisnaharia-ka-Inar (literally, "the well of Pisnaharia"), about five miles north of Banaras. In this unequal fight, the Rajputs were ultimately pushed back beyond the Gomti River, and the British retaliated by ravaging nearby Rajput villages.
Alliance with Kunwar Singh
Later in 1858, Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur, a notable rebel leader from Bihar and a relative of the Dobhi Rajputs, entered Azamgarh and successfully captured the town. When British troops attempted to retake the region, Thakur Dayal Singh and his forces aided Kunwar Singh in the ensuing battle. Although the British eventually regained control, their campaign was significantly delayed and challenged by the Dobhi Rajputs' resistance.
Arrest and Execution
In May 1858, under the guise of peace negotiations, British forces invited Thakur Dayal Singh and other leaders of the Rajput resistance to a "conference" in Senapur village. It was a trap. The leaders were surrounded, captured, and summarily executed.
- Thakur Dayal Singh was hanged from a mango tree, along with:
- 12 kinsmen
- 9 other followers
The British then shot the corpses with muskets and left them hanging as a warning to others. After several days, the villagers collected and cremated the bodies, honoring the fallen as martyrs.
Legacy
Thakur Dayal Singh is remembered as a courageous and principled leader who fought to defend his land and people during the Indian War of Independence. His leadership, alliance with Kunwar Singh, and ultimate martyrdom stand as a testament to the spirit of resistance in eastern Uttar Pradesh during 1857–58.
References
- P.N. Chopra, Y.B. Chavan, Who’s Who of Indian Martyrs, Vol. 3, p. 137
- S.A.A. Rizvi, M.L. Bhargav, Freedom Struggle in Uttar Pradesh: Eastern & Adjoining Districts, 1857–59, p. 955
- Jaunpur Gazetteer, pp. 47–49