Valiant patriot Rao Tula Ram, a force to reckon with in the 1857 Indian rebellion!!

istampgallery.com

The Indian Revolt, unacademy.com

The Indian rebellion of 1857, often wrongly referred to as the ''Sepoy Mutiny'' had provided a great opportunity for the courageous Indians to prove their patriotism and their strong resolve to take steps to drive the British out of India for good. Across the Indian subcontinent, the people were pushed to the edge of exasperation, as the atrocities committed by the East India Company continued to go up as days and months went by and there was no respite from their misrule. The Indian rebellion, that had begun in Meerut cantonment, spread  to many northern states like the forest fire. Common people  as well as many Zamindars (landlords)  and Indian rulers got a chance to express their outrage  and grudge for the oppressive and odious  British rule.

Rao Tula ram, Patriot. India Sanskriti

Rao Tula Ram Singh (circa 9 December 1825 – 23 September 1863), King of Rewari, was  quite furious about the British and the way they grabbed Indian rulers' lands including those of his ancestors land and the problems they caused to the Indian natives from all walks of lives. He was a prominent key player during this struggle against the foreign rule from the place now called Haryana. In Haryana,  he is still held in great esteem for his heroism and patriotism  shown during the tough political situation back in the 1850s. Apart from being a good administrator, he was a well-trained  military commander. When the revolt broke out in Meerut, he played no less role in  displacing the officials owing allegiance to the British and taking control of the administration of   Rewari and proclaiming his rule with the sanction of   Mogul ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar  of Delhi. The latter was chosen as the leader of the rebels by the natives. Rao Tula Ram helped the rebel forces  with men and money during the siege of Delhi. Noted as a good administrator and military commander, he quite understood the dynamics of state administration and won the trust of the people by improving the state revenue and spending the money effectively for the benefits of the people. For the purpose of defence, he enlisted 5000 men and created divisions like infantry, artillery, cavalry and police. In Tula Ram the people who were sick of anarchy and chaotic political situation,  saw a capable and effective leader to lead the state. No doubt, they reposed  full confidence in him and his leadership.

Indian Rebellion Aspirant Forum

The British forces at various places across northern states, with the help of additional reinforcements,  prevailed over the rebels and recaptured the cities, towns, etc. Having taken control over Delhi, the British forces moved over to Haryana to face Tula Ram head on. After a  series of confrontations, finally in Nov 1857 at Narnaul, the British came out victorious. After his defeat Rao Tula Ram travelled over to Rajasthan to seek the help of the Rajputs; it was of no use as the British had already established their supremacy again. Later Rao Tula Ram sought the help of countries like Iran, Afghanistan, etc and his strategy did not work. His prolonged stressful life had a toll on his health 

and he died in Kabul in September 1863.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rao_Tula_Ram
http://www.istampgallery.com/rao-tula-ram/
O