Bahadur Singh

Bahadur Singh hailed from Nimar (sometimes spelled as Nimad) of Malwa region under the Central India Agency (now Madhya Pradesh). During the First War of Independence in 1857, Nimar’s tribal and non-tribal warriors and other revolutionaries fought against the British inspired by Mangal Pandey, Bheema Nayak and other regional leaders. Besides looting the treasury, the revolutionaries valiantly fought against the British. The Bhils, who were never very happy with the usurpation of their lands by the British, rose in revolt in what has come to be known as ‘The Great Bhil Rebellion of 1857-60’. After Tantya Tope’s arrival in Nimad in 1857, several Holkar employees and citizens joined the revolt against the British. Bahadur Singh joined the anti-British rebel forces during the Uprising of 1857. He played an active role in fighting against the British troops at Mandleshwar (sometimes spelled as Mandaleshwar). Bahadur Singh and his men were against the oppressive British policies of public health, forest and land revenues. He and his associates tried hard to retain their position in their region but failed against the superior British forces. The British summoned up forces from other areas in addition to the local Corps and used a combination of force to subdue this rebellion. They succeeded in arresting many of the revolutionaries considered dangerous by them. Bahadur Singh and his associates were also captured. Bahadur Singh was convicted as a rebel against the British and sentenced to transportation for life across the sea. He was deported to Andaman Islands where he breathed his last in detention.