Before heading to Hyderabad, we decided to visit two crucial places that played significant roles in the independence struggle in 1857.
Our first destination was Nargund, a princely state under Mysore, where the blatant exploitation by the British was evident everywhere we looked. The signs of oppression were visible in the weary faces of the villagers and the dilapidated condition of the land that once thrived under its rulers.
Upon our arrival in Nargund, we headed straight to meet Rani Chennamma of Kittur. I felt a wave of excitement wash over me; she would be the first person I could openly discuss independence with outside of Sufiyan and my father. Rani Chennamma, the sole ruler of Kittur after the deaths of her husband and son, was known for her fierce spirit and resilience. I trusted her implicitly, especially since she had already fought against the British in 1824.
I believed she would likely rise against them again in 1857.
After exchanging formalities and ensuring the servants had left the room, I took a deep breath and revealed my intentions to her.
"Your Highness," I began, "the time has come for us to unite and fight against the British. I am passionate about our freedom, and I believe you can lead our people in this struggle."
Initially, she seemed taken aback, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "I have no thoughts of fighting them; I am already happy," she claimed,
but I could sense her reluctance. Deep down, I knew that her spirit was still unbroken, despite her initial hesitation.
Sufiyan and I explained our plans to her, detailing the formation of our intelligence organization aimed at rallying support against the British. As we spoke of our vision for a united front, her expression shifted from scepticism to contemplation.
Slowly, she began to see the bigger picture, and eventually, she agreed to assist us, promising to do her best for the cause.
In our discussion, I asked her to facilitate the creation of road networks to Shorapur and other important areas nearby. This infrastructure would significantly aid troop mobilization and the transportation of goods, essential for any upcoming conflict.
She agreed but cautioned that it would take time due to limited finances—a reality we all understood, given how the British were systematically draining our resources.
I requested Sufiyan to connect her with our intelligence organization to ensure secure and effective communication. After outlining our plans, we took our leave, heading toward Shorapur.
In stark contrast to Nargund, Shorapur hadn't seen any notable leaders spearheading opposition or revolution. Instead, the local population—farmers and laborers—had begun to take a stand against their oppressors. Their grassroots resistance was impressive; it demonstrated that even without organized leadership, the local people could rise up against the British.
During our time in Shorapur, we were unable to accomplish much due to the lack of established networks. Still, I instructed Sufiyan to strengthen our presence there as much as possible, as I anticipated it would become a pivotal location in the near future.
Reflecting on our experiences in both Nargund and Shorapur, I began to speculate on the major reasons behind the brewing revolution.
In Nargund, the Doctrine of Lapse and the Enfield rifle controversy loomed large in the minds of the people.
The gunpowder used in these rifles was rumoured to contain pig or cow skin, which had to be torn using one's mouth—an affront to the religious sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims.
Moreover, the increasing land taxes imposed by local zamindars and the British were pushing the population to the brink of despair. The common folk were struggling to make ends meet, and it was only a matter of time before they would find the courage to rise up.
As we reflected on our encounters, it became evident that the seeds of rebellion were already being sown across these regions. We understood the urgency of our mission—to nurture these seeds into a full-blown revolution. With the groundwork laid, we were one step closer to uniting our fellow countrymen in the fight for independence, ready to kindle the flames of freedom that would light the way for generations to come. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but the spirit of resistance was alive, and we were determined to see it flourish.