Tikait Umrao Singh: A Hero of the 1857 Rebellion

Birth and Family

• Born in Khatanga village, located in Ormanjhi block.
• Some sources mention Ganga Patar as an alternative birthplace.
• Had a brother named Tikait Ghasi Singh.
• Known as a skilled horse rider and an expert swordsman.

Role in the 1857 First War of Independence

• Took a leading and active role in the 1857 revolt.
• Strengthened his position by aligning with his brother and Dewan Sheikh Bhikhari.
• At that time, the Ramgarh Battalion HQ was in Ranchi, and there was also a British military unit in Hazaribagh.

Sequence of Events in 1857

• Some unrest began in the Hazaribagh army, prompting the British to act.
• Lieutenant Graham led a military expedition to suppress the rebellion and left Ranchi on 1 August 1857.
• In response, some rebels from Hazaribagh moved toward Ranchi.
• Upon hearing this, Graham’s troops themselves revolted, led by Jemadar Madhav Singh.
• Rebels seized elephants and weapons from British forces.
• Tikait Umrao Singh and Sheikh Bhikhari openly supported the rebel soldiers.

Uprising in Ranchi

• On 2 August 1857, rebels reached Ranchi.
• British officers Colonel Dalton and Lt. Graham fled Ranchi via Kanke–Pithoria route to Hazaribagh.
• Jagatpal Singh, the pargana chief of Pithoria, helped them escape.
• Leadership of the uprising was taken over by Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo of Barkagarh.
• The rebels appointed Pandey Ganpat Rai as their commander.
• Ranchi was thus declared independent.

Strategic Resistance

• Tikait Umrao Singh blocked the British return by destroying the Chutupalu route.
• Later, on an invitation from Veer Kunwar Singh, a group including Vishwanath Shahdeo and Pandey Ganpat Rai marched toward Rohtasgarh via Chatra.
• At Chatra, they clashed with British forces.
• Jaymangal Pandey and Nadir Ali Khan were captured and executed.

Decline of the Rebellion

• This British victory boosted their confidence, and they returned to Ranchi.
• On 23 September 1857, Colonel Dalton returned to Ranchi.
• The freedom movement in Ranchi weakened.
• British officers began tracking key rebel leaders.

Capture and Execution

• Tikait Ghasi Singh was arrested and died in jail.
• Later, Tikait Umrao Singh and Sheikh Bhikhari were also arrested.
• Both were hanged on 8 January 1858.

Aftermath and Land Confiscation

• The zamindari of 12 villages under Tikait Umrao Singh was confiscated.
• The 12 villages were:
  Khatanga, Harchanda, Kute, Sildiri, Jheeri, Hesatu, Kowalu, Gagari, Dahu, Chapavair, Barwe, and (1 village name missing from the end of the text).