HistoryModern India: Rebels and the Raj

Which Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli, gave shelter to a British…

Which Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli, gave shelter to a British officer during the revolt of 1857 and later marched with his retainers to Lucknow?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Hanwant Singh

Option (1) Kunwar Singh — Incorrect. Kunwar Singh was a zamindar of Arrah in Bihar who led the revolt there.

Option (2) Hanwant Singh — Correct. Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, saved a British officer but then set out for Lucknow to drive the British out. His words show the attitude of the taluqdars.

Option (3) Nana Sahib — Incorrect. Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, led the revolt at Kanpur.

Option (4) Birjis Qadr — Incorrect. Birjis Qadr was the young son of the deposed Nawab. He was proclaimed Nawab in Lucknow in 1857.

NCERT (2026-27): “2.3 Firangi raj and the end of a world …
The attitude of the taluqdars was best expressed by Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli. During the mutiny, Hanwant Singh had given shelter to a British officer, and conveyed him to safety. While taking leave of the officer, Hanwant Singh told him: Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our King. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. I have saved you. …”