Prominent leaders who lead the revolt of 1857

 Mangal Pandey:  Mangal Pandey was a soldier in the British army who started the revolt. His
attack on Britishers on March 29, 1857, marked the starting of the revolt. During his service in
Bengal at Barrackpore, the Britishers employed a new gun known as the “Enfield gun,” which
was covered with grease paper. Later, rumours were spread that the grease paper was covered
with cow and pig fat. This made Mangal Pandey furious and he urged his fellow mates not to use
them. Later, he was hanged, which sparked the revolt
 Rani Laxmi Bai: Rani Laxmi Bai was an important figure in the fight for Indian Independence
during the revolt of 1857 against the British. After the death of the Maharaja of Jhansi, Jhansi
was left with only an infant maharaja. Rani Laxmi Bai started ruling on behalf of the infant prince.
Lord Dalhousie ordered the annexure of Jhansi as the infant prince was an adopted son and not
the real son of the maharaja of Jhansi
 Tantia Tope: Tantia Tope played a major role in the revolt. He was known as Tantia Tope. He
was the son of Pandurang Rao and was a noble in the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II court. He
was the friend of Nana Sahib, who fought with him in the revolt of 1857. Tope means the
commanding officer. He had no formal training in fighting, but he had learned and mastered the
art of guerrilla warfare. Along with Rani Laxmi Bai, he played an active role in Kanpur and
Gwalior. The Britishers captured him at the court at Shivpuri and executed him on April 18, 1859.
Tantia Tope was an inspiring hero in the revolt of 1857, and his bravery and courage still inspire
Indians today
 Nana Sahib: Nana Sahib was born in Bithoor (Kanpur District), Uttar Pradesh, in May 1824. He
was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. The Britishers denied him as the ruler. His role was
to deploy his soldiers in Kanpur and capture it. However, in 1857, the Britishers successfully
recaptured it. Hence, Nana Sahib ran to Bithoor. The Britishers captured Bithoor but were unable
to catch him. He played a prominent role in the revolt of 1857 and was made the Peshwa at
Gwalior by Tatya Tope
 Bahadur Shah Zafar: He was the last Mughal ruler. During the first revolt of independence, the
Indian population declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader and commander of forces. He
was given the title of Emperor of Hindustan. Bahadur Shah Zafar was caught and imprisoned by
the British forces. This led to the end of the Mughal rule in India in 1857

Summary

The spreading British culture to break down the caste system and introduce western
education challenged the thoughts of the Hindus and Muslims. Even the Brahmins had
lost their prestigious position and wealth to the British. The revolt of 1857 is one of the
major events in the history of India’s Independence.