Timid King, Ruthless Looters: The Banaras Revolt of 1781

Varanasi, Benares, or Banaras:

Varanasi, the holiest city for Hindus, was referred to as Banaras during the British era.

The Banaras Revolt: The People Stand Against British Tyranny.

*In the tug-of-war between the East India Company and the King of Banaras, the people of Banaras stood resolutely by their ruler, transforming the conflict into a significant revolt against the Company.

*The Banaras Revolt resulted in heavy casualties for the East India Company’s army, with a significant number of soldiers killed and many others injured.

*The Banaras Revolt of 1781 tells the story of the East India Company’s relentless looting in India and its excessive exploitation of Indian kings. It also highlights the timidity and submissiveness of an inactive ruler.

*Though the rebellion seemed unsuccessful, it planted the seeds for the First War of Independence in 1857. Moreover, its influence can be traced to the revolutionary movements that followed in India’s struggle for freedom.

Background of the Rebellion: Tensions Between Hastings and Chet Singh:

BHARAT KALA BHAVAN (B.H.U) VARANASI.

CHET SINGH : (MAHARAJA OF BENARES) A Pawn in the East India Company’s Game :

Chet Singh came to power in Varanasi with the support of the East India Company, replacing the hereditary king.

Chet Singh, the ruler of Benares, was burdened with increasing demands from the British East India Company, including a substantial contribution of money and troops during the ongoing war against the Marathas and Mysore.

When he failed to meet these demands, Hastings imposed heavy penalties and even sought to depose him.

WARREN HASTINGS :

Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal, faced significant resistance during his tenure. One of the most notable events was the rebellion led by Chet Singh, the Raja of Benares (modern-day Varanasi), in 1781.

Warren Hastings Departure from Kolkata:

On July 7, 1781, Warren Hastings left Kolkata with his retinue and troops. The journey was fraught with logistical challenges, reflecting the turbulent political climate and the pressing nature of the mission.

Stops En Route:

Hastings made stops at Bhagalpur and Buxar, key locations under British control. These stops likely served as strategic points for planning and reinforcing his position before arriving in Banaras.

Warren Hastings’s Arrival in Varanasi

On August 15, 1781, Warren Hastings reached Varanasi. Serious complaints and allegations against Maharaja Chet Singh prompted his visit.

Purpose of the Visit

Hastings came to investigate allegations that Chet Singh had failed to meet the British East India Company’s financial and military support demands.

These demands were weighty due to the ongoing wars against the Marathas and Mysore. Chet Singh’s inability or unwillingness to comply was perceived as defiance, prompting Hastings to take direct action.

Chet Singh vs Warren Hastings: A Clash of Power, Pride, and Politics in Banaras

To Grasp the Chet Singh-Warren Hastings Conflict, We Must Rewind a Few Years

The Struggle of Raja Chet Singh and the Rise of the East India Company’s Power.

In 1775, following the death of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula ascended the throne, and the political landscape in India shifted dramatically.

This shift began an era where the East India Company’s influence in regional politics grew stronger.

One significant event during this time was the rise of Raja Chet Singh of Banaras, whose reign would soon come under the heavy hand of the East India Company.

The Treaty Between the Nawab and the East India Company.

Raja Chet Singh’s ascension to the throne of Banaras was not simple. His position as ruler was secured only through the mercy of the East India Company, which had considerable sway in the region.

The Company charged an exorbitant “appointment tax” to make Chet Singh the ruler, a demand that set the stage for years of financial burden on the Maharaja. This initial tax, although steep, was only the beginning of what would become a pattern of excessive financial demands.

The Growing Demands of the East India Company

With the East India Company’s growing control, the demands placed upon Chet Singh became more severe.

Soon after securing his rule, the Company imposed an additional demand of five lakh rupees on the Maharaja. This money was supposedly required to help the Company fund its military campaigns against the Marathas in the Deccan and Tipu Sultan in the south.

For three years, Raja Chet Singh managed to meet these demands, though his resources were stretched thin. However, as the Company’s demands continued to escalate, it became clear that the burden would be unsustainable. When the Maharaja finally refused to comply with the Company’s increasing tax demands, tensions escalated quickly.

The Breaking Point: The 50 Lakh Rupees and Two Thousand Horsemen

The East India Company, led by Warren Hastings at the time, did not take kindly to Chet Singh’s defiance. In retaliation for his refusal to pay, the Company imposed an even more severe penalty: a demand for 50 lakh rupees and an additional contribution of two thousand horsemen for the Company’s military campaigns.

In 1781, Warren Hastings personally visited Banaras to enforce this new levy.

His presence signified the Company’s intent to tighten its control over the region, and the demands placed upon Chet Singh marked a significant turning point in Banaras’s history and indeed, the growing dominance of the East India Company.

The Road Ahead for Chet Singh

The mounting demands of the East India Company on Raja Chet Singh highlighted the increasing pressure faced by regional rulers in India under the influence of foreign powers.

As tensions continued to rise between the Maharaja and the Company, Banaras became one of the many battlegrounds for control in colonial India. The fate of Chet Singh, caught between his obligations to the Company and his loyalty to his people, would unfold in the years to come, ultimately contributing to the larger story of resistance against colonial rule.

MADHODAS BAG OR MADHODAS GARDEN HOUSE

When Warren Hastings arrived in Varanasi on August 15, 1781, he stayed in a prominent garden known as Madhodas Garden.

The inscription on the wall of Radhaswami Bagh is now hidden among the nearby shops. This stone slab was placed to mark Warren Hastings’ arrival in Varanasi on 15th August 1781. It commemorates his stay at this location.
(Image: Dinesh Seth)

Current Name:

Over time, the garden became known as Radhaswami Bagh or Swami Bagh, reflecting its association with the Radhaswami religious community in later years.

After arriving in Banaras, Warren Hastings set up camp at Madho Das Bagh. It was there that opponents of Maharaja Chet Singh seized the opportunity to turn Hastings against the king.

Some of the king’s close associates were among them, including Rani Gulab Kunwar, Ausan Singh, and Aliuddin Kubra, who had been waiting for the right moment to air their grievances. They accused Chet Singh of disloyalty, claiming that he had forgotten the East India Company’s support and was unwilling to pay the required taxes.

~Chet Singh sought an audience with Hastings to explain his position, but his request for a meeting was denied.~

Chet Singh Fort and Ghat: A Legacy of Varanasi’s History

Chet Singh Fort:

This fort, built on the banks of the Ganga in the Shivala area of Varanasi, was owned by the Maharaja of Banaras and was originally called Shivala Fort. It later became known as Chet Singh Fort, after Maharaja Chet Singh.

Ghat: A stretch of land along the river.

Chet Singh Ghat: This fort is located here, and the place is also called Chet Singh Ghat, after Maharaja Chet Singh.

(SHIVALA BHAVAN, WILLIAM DANIELL R A,(1769-1837)

A Meeting That Changed Everything

Raja Chet Singh left his Ramnagar fort and arrived at Shivala Bhawan for a meeting with Warren Hastings, the Company’s Governor-General. The purpose of the meeting was far from cordial; Hastings intended to demand compliance with the Company’s escalating demands.

Resident Markham visited Chet Singh at Shivala Bhawan the next morning with an alarming message. Hastings had ordered that the Maharaja be placed under house arrest.

Markham also read aloud a decree outlining the “crimes” allegedly committed by the Maharaja, including his failure to meet the financial and military demands of the Company.

Though Chet Singh outwardly complied with the order, the situation quickly escalated.

Markham returned to Madhodas Garden House, where Hastings was staying, after leaving behind a contingent of soldiers and officers to enforce the house arrest.

A Spark Ignites

The tension in Shivala Bhawan reached a breaking point when Chetram, a soldier stationed by the Company, began mocking and provoking the Maharaja’s soldiers. Insults soon turned into abuses, further inflaming the Maharaja’s loyal guards. The spark ignited when Chetram went too far, leading to a violent clash.

Enraged by the humiliation of their king, the Maharaja’s soldiers attacked the Company’s forces. In the skirmish that followed, the Maharaja’s men killed most of the Company’s soldiers and officers stationed at Shivala Bhawan, including Chetram.

A Dramatic Escape

The Shivala Bhavan’s rock plate marks where Maharaja of Banaras, Chet Singh, escaped from Warren Hastings.
(Image: Dinesh Seth)

Amidst the chaos, Raja Chet Singh made a daring ?? escape. Using a window at the northern gate of Shivala Bhawan that opened towards the Ganga River, he descended discreetly and boarded a waiting boat. The Maharaja fled back to the safety of his stronghold at Ramnagar Fort, evading the East India Company’s forces.

Encounter between Maharaja of Benares and soldiers of East India Company at Chet Singh Ghat.

The English army faced a major defeat in the battle between the British and the native forces at Shivala. Several British officers, along with many English and native soldiers, were killed.

Tablet at Shivala: Commemorating the 1781 Encounter at Chet Singh Ghat :

This text appears to be a historical inscription or record commemorating a tragic event in which British officers and Indian sepoys of the East India Company’s army lost their lives near a specific location during the Banaras Revolt of 1781.

Here’s a more readable version for clarity:

In Memory of:

Lieutenant Archibald Scott (1st Battalion Sepoys)

Lieutenant Jeremiah Symes (2nd Battalion Sepoys)

Lieutenant J. Stalker (Resident Bodyguard)

And 200 Sepoys
Who were killed on August 17, 1781,
Near this spot, while doing their duty.

(Sepoy: An Indian foot soldier, especially one serving in the East India Company’s army.)

RAMNAGAR FORT

Ramnagar Palace Entrance: A Regal Landmark from 1790s Benares

Padaav Ramnagar Encounter:

In this battle between the British and the soldiers of Maharaja Chait Singh of Varanasi, 30 foreign soldiers and 150 native soldiers from the British side were killed, and 100 were injured. On the Maharaja’s side, only two soldiers lost their lives.

Captain Mayfair’s Fate in Varanasi:

Captain Mayfair marched into Varanasi with his troops but was surrounded by the locals. The crowd attacked Mayfair and his soldiers in the streets. Mayfair, along with 36 foreign soldiers, was killed. Additionally, 108 native soldiers died, and 42 were injured in the clash.

Warren Hastings’ Escape to Chunar

Frightened by the hostile situation in Varanasi, Warren Hastings decided to leave the city as quickly as possible. Seeking safety, he chose to retreat to Chunar, a fort controlled by the East India Company and located just a few kilometers away. Under the cover of night and accompanied by a few trusted men, Hastings managed to reach Chunar after a perilous journey.

“If Chet Singh had not run away at this time and would have attacked the garden of Madhodas, I would have been killed surely, and thus rebellion would have spread all around.” SELECTIONS FROM THE STATE PAPERS OF THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL OF INDIA: WARREN HASTINGS (George Forest Page 160)

This statement reflects Hastings’ awareness of the danger he faced during the rebellion. It also underscores a missed opportunity by Chait Singh, whose inability to exploit Hastings’ vulnerable state allowed the British to regroup and eventually suppress the revolt.

I AM NOT AFRAID OF AN ARMY OF LIONS LED BY A SHEEP, BUT I AM AFRAID OF AN ARMY OF SHEEP LED BY A LION.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

The public was highly motivated by this incident and eager to avenge the insult of their king. However, they desperately needed capable leadership to channel their enthusiasm. Sadly, the king failed to rise to the occasion.

Instead of leading his people, he chose to flee like a coward, prioritizing the safety of himself and his family. This disappointing and self-centered behavior caused the people and the army to lose faith in their ruler, ultimately weakening the rebellion’s potential.

Some valuable lessons from this important event of modern Indian history

Responsibility of the People in Leadership Failures:

When the ruling class neglects its duties, the people must rise to the occasion, taking initiative and responsibility to lead themselves.

This perspective reflects the need for collective empowerment and the rejection of passivity in the face of failed governance. It underscores the idea that a society’s strength lies in its ability to act independently when necessary, fostering self-reliance and unity.

Timeliness in Decision-Making:

The ability to make timely decisions is crucial for shaping a brighter future. Decisions made at the right moment can determine the trajectory of events, turning challenges into opportunities. This principle highlights the importance of situational awareness, decisiveness, and the courage to act swiftly when the moment demands.

Together, these ideas advocate for proactive leadership—whether by the ruling class or the people themselves—and the value of timely, well-considered action to ensure a prosperous and just future.

Immediate Effects:

The defeat of King Chet Singh and the subsequent installation of Mahip Narayan Singh as a puppet ruler symbolizes the increased control of the East India Company in Banaras.

The rebellion’s immediate consequence was the assertion of British power and the subjugation of the local monarchy.

Long-Term Effects:

Despite the rebellion’s failure, it sparked a deep resentment among the people of Banaras, leading to heightened anger towards British rule.

This anger helped form the ideological and emotional basis for India’s first major revolt in 1857, often considered the first war of Indian independence.

The connection between the Banaras Rebellion and later freedom struggles is made clear through figures like Veer Savarkar, who identified it as a precursor to the 1857 rebellion.

Connection to Key Figures:

The rebellion indirectly influenced key revolutionaries like Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and Sachindra Nath Sanyal.

Rani Lakshmi Bai, born near the site of the Banaras Revolt, is noted for her involvement in the 1857 rebellion and likely carried the memory of these events in her heart.

Sachindra Nath Sanyal, another important revolutionary, was personally connected to Banaras through his grandfather, the chief priest of the Maharaja at the time of the rebellion.

The Banaras Rebellion, although unsuccessful, had a lasting impact on India’s freedom struggle, motivating future generations of nationalists. Its legacy is seen as an important chapter in the larger narrative of India’s resistance to British colonialism.