During the Revolt of 1857, Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah of Faizabad was popularly known as:

During the Revolt of 1857, Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah of Faizabad was popularly known as "Danka Shah", because he used to move from place to place with a drum (danka) beaten ahead of him, to call people to join the struggle.

NCERT on Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah:

• NCERT describes Ahmadullah Shah as one of the many maulvis who played an important part in the Revolt of 1857.
• Educated in Hyderabad, he became a preacher when young.
• In 1856, he was seen moving from village to village, preaching jihad (religious war) against the British and urging people to rebel.
• He moved in a palanquin, with drumbeaters in front and his followers behind.
• He was therefore popularly called "Danka Shah", the Maulvi with the drum (danka).
• The British authorities panicked as thousands began following him and many Muslims began seeing him as an inspired prophet.
• When he reached Lucknow in 1856, he was stopped by the police from preaching in the city.
• Subsequently, in 1857, he was jailed in Faizabad.
• When released, he was elected by the mutinous sepoys as their leader.

His role in the Revolt:

• He fought in the battles around Lucknow, including the siege of the Residency.
• He was one of the most determined and capable leaders of the Revolt in Awadh.
• After the fall of Lucknow, he moved to Rohilkhand and continued the struggle.

His death:

He was killed in June 1858 by the Raja of Powayn, who handed his head to the British for a reward.

NCERT on religious leaders in the Revolt:

NCERT notes that local leaders emerged, urging people to revolt; some of them were religious leaders who preached the end of British rule.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bakht Khan led the rebel army in Delhi.
• ✗Firoz Shah was a Mughal prince who fought in central India.
• ✗Kunwar Singh led the Revolt in Bihar.