Nana Sahib, a forgotten hero of Bithoor

Kanpur: Bithoor is a small town near Kanpur. It was also the seat of indomitable Nana Sahhib, the adopted son of last Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. He was one of the major players in the First War of Independence in 1857 along with Tatya Tope and Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi. However, today people have shunned this hero in his own town.
Ruins of his fort, spread over 20 to 25 acres, continue to proudly cling on to its memories of those days.Descendants of Nana Sahib’s general are among a handful of people who have kept his memories alive. “Since Independence, we have been hoisting the Tricolour at the place where Nana Sahib used to formulate policies with his general. Today, people are ignorant about him. Our roots go deep into history. Nana Sahib returned to Bithoor with a handful of trust-worthy men, including my ancestors, after losing a battle in Kanpur,” said Madhukar Rao Moghe, a descendant of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I general Moropant Moghe.
“However, British forces chased him to his palace in Bithoor and occupied it without resistance. The British troops seized guns, elephants and camels and set the palace on fire. It is said that his 14-year-old daughter Mainawati too was set ablaze. After independence the government named a road as Mainawati Marg in Kanpur.”
Under Nana Sahib’s leadership, Kanpur rose to oppose British rule during the First War of Independence in 1857. Bithoor served as his headquarters. Nana Sahib, Tatya Tope and Rani Laxmi Bai gathered at the ramparts of the Bithoor Fort to take on the British forces.
According to a local resident, “The fort was the hub of activities during 1857. It is said that attack on British Garrison was planned by Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope in the fort. In response, the British bombed his palace and the ghats of Bithoor.”
Today, ruins of the fort stand as a mute reminder of the era where in thousands of freedom fighters laid down their lives fighting the British rule.
Another resident said, “Bithoor is primarily known as a pilgrim spot. People come here for ‘Ganga snan’ and visit spots like Luv-Kush Vatika etc. No one bothers to visit Nana Sahib’s fort, which is spread across 20-25 acres. It is our cultural heritage.”
State tourism department has developed a park over 10 acres to create awareness among people. The park has a museum that features Indian independence movement gallery, royal orders, coins, stamps etc.
Museum in-charge Shekhar Kumar said that although 250-300 people visit the place daily, only 30% are aware of Nana Sahib’s fort. “To our surprise people are not even aware about the historical relevance of the city.”