The long revolt against the British in western Odisha (Sambalpur) in the mid-19th century, including during 1857, was led by:

The long revolt against the British in Sambalpur, western Odisha, in the mid-19th century, including during the Revolt of 1857, was led by Veer Surendra Sai.

About Surendra Sai:

• He was born on 23 January 1809 at Khinda, near Sambalpur, in a family of the Chauhan rulers of Sambalpur.
• He claimed the throne of Sambalpur, but the British supported another candidate.
• In 1827, after the death of the ruler, the British placed the Rani (widow) Mohan Kumari on the throne, ignoring Surendra Sai's claim.

His revolt:

• Surendra Sai rose in revolt against the British and their nominees, with the support of the local zamindars and the tribal people (Gonds and Binjhals).
• He was captured in 1840 and imprisoned in the Hazaribagh jail.
• In 1849, the British annexed Sambalpur under the Doctrine of Lapse.

During the Revolt of 1857:

• In 1857, the rebels broke open the Hazaribagh jail, and Surendra Sai escaped.
• He returned to Sambalpur and led a guerrilla war against the British in the hills and forests for several years.
• He and his followers attacked British posts, and the British found it very difficult to defeat them.

His surrender and later life:

• He surrendered in 1862, on the promise of a pardon, but was later arrested again in 1864 and deported.
• He was imprisoned in the Asirgarh fort (Madhya Pradesh), where he died on 28 February 1884.
• He spent about 37 years of his life in prison.

His memory:

• He is remembered as a great hero of Odisha.
• The Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (Burla) and the Veer Surendra Sai Airport (Jharsuguda) are named after him.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bakshi Jagabandhu led an earlier rising; Chakra Bisoi led the Khond resistance; Dharanidhar Naik led a rising in Keonjhar.