Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar?

Babu Veer Kunwar Singh (1777-1858) was the zamindar (landlord) of Jagdishpur, in the Bhojpur (Shahabad) district of Bihar. He belonged to the Ujjainiya clan of the Parmar Rajputs. When the Revolt of 1857 broke out, he was about 80 years old, yet he became one of its most remarkable leaders.

Kunwar Singh had grievances against the British, who had taken over much of his estate and burdened him with debts. In July 1857, the sepoys at Danapur (Dinapore), near Patna, revolted and came to Jagdishpur, inviting him to lead them. He took command and captured Arrah, the district headquarters, and besieged the British at the "Arrah House", a small fortified building. The siege was lifted by British reinforcements under Major Vincent Eyre.

Kunwar Singh then left Bihar and fought a long guerrilla campaign across central India and Uttar Pradesh, reaching places such as Rewa, Banda, Kalpi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Azamgarh, where he defeated British forces in March 1858. Returning to Bihar, while crossing the Ganga at Shivpur Ghat in April 1858, he was hit by a British bullet in his left arm. According to legend, he cut off his own injured arm with his sword and offered it to the Ganga.

On 23 April 1858, he defeated a British force under Captain Le Grand near Jagdishpur and recaptured his estate. He died three days later, on 26 April 1858, from his wounds. 23 April is celebrated in Bihar as "Vijayotsav" (Victory Day). After his death, his brother Amar Singh continued the fight.

The Government of India issued a stamp in his honour in 1966. Veer Kunwar Singh University in Arrah is named after him.

Other leaders:

• Nana Saheb led the revolt at Kanpur.
• Tantia Tope fought at Kanpur and in central India.
• Maulvi Liaquat Ali led the revolt at Allahabad.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Nana Saheb led the revolt at Kanpur.
• ✗Tantia Tope was Nana Saheb's general and fought alongside Rani Lakshmibai.
• ✗Maulvi Liaquat Ali led at Allahabad (Prayagraj).