During the Revolt of 1857, Shah Mal, who mobilised the villagers of the Baraut region (in present-day Uttar Pradesh), was killed in battle in:

Shah Mal, a leader of the Revolt of 1857 in the Baraut pargana (in present-day Baghpat district, western Uttar Pradesh), was killed in battle in July 1857.

About Shah Mal:

• He belonged to a large family of Jat peasants (cultivators) in the Baraut region, near Meerut.
• He was a respected headman of a group of villages (chaurasee desh, the 84 villages).

NCERT on Shah Mal:

• NCERT describes Shah Mal as a peasant leader who mobilised the headmen and cultivators of the region.
• The peasants of the area were angry because of the high land revenue demand and the loss of land to moneylenders and outsiders under British rule.
• He travelled from village to village at night, urging people to rebel.
• The rebels attacked government buildings, destroyed the bridge over the river, and dug up metalled roads, to stop British forces from reaching the area and to block communication.
• They supplied food and support to the rebels in Delhi.
• He set up his headquarters in a bungalow belonging to the irrigation department, which became his "Hall of Justice", where he settled disputes and dispensed judgements.
• He set up an effective network of intelligence.
• For a time, the people felt that the British rule was over and their own rule had begun.

His death:

• In July 1857, he was killed in a battle with British forces.
• NCERT notes that his head was cut off and displayed by the British to frighten the people.

Importance:

• His story shows that the Revolt of 1857 was not only a mutiny of sepoys, but also involved the peasants and villagers of north India, who had their own grievances.
• NCERT uses his story to show how the Revolt spread to the countryside, and how local leaders emerged.

Why not the other options?

• ✗May 1857 was when the Revolt began at Meerut.
• ✗December 1857 and March 1858 are not the dates of his death.