Kunwar Singh was one of the most important freedom fighters in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Kunwar Singh was born in Jagdishpur in the Shahabad (now in BhojpurDistrict) of Bihar.
It was about 1777 AD and was destined to die a hero in the Great Rising of 1857. When the people of all parts of India rose against British authority in 1857, Babu Kunwar Singh was already past his prime being nearly 80 years old. In that age, he fought against the British East India Company. Despite his age and failing health, when the call to fight came, Kunwar Singh plunged into the thick of it and for nearly a year battled against the British forces with grim determination and undaunted courage.
In Bihar, Kunwar Singh was the Chieftain against the British. He assumed command of the soldiers who had revolted at Danapur on 5th July. Two days later he occupied Arrah, the district headquarters. Major Vincent Eyre relieved the town on 3rd August, defeated Kunwar Singh`s force and destroyed Jagdishpur. Kunwar Singh left his ancestral village and reached Lucknow in December 1857.
In March 1858, he occupied Azamgarh. However, he had to leave the place soon. He was pursued by Brigadier Douglas and he retreated towards his home in Bihar. On 23 April, Kunwar Singh had a victory near Jagdishpur over the force led by Captain Le Grand, but the following day he died in his village. The mantle of the old chief now fell on his brother Amar Singh who, despite heavy odds, continued the struggle and for a considerable time ran a parallel government in the district of Shahabad. In October 1859 Amar Singh joined the rebel leaders in the Nepal Terai.
*In his last battle, fought on 23 April 1858, near Jagdispur, the troops under the control of the East India Company were completely routed. On 22 and 23 April being injured he fought bravely against the British Army and with the help of his army drove away the British Army, brought down the Union Jack from Jagdishpur Fort and hoisted his flag. [citation needed] He returned to his palace on 23 April 1858 and soon died on 26 April 1858.*
Government of Bihar established Veer Kunwar Singh University, Arrah in 1992. Named after him,
The ICSE board has in its Hindi textbook (Ekanki Suman) a play by Jagdish Chandra Mathur (by the name of Vijay Ki Vela, literally: Moment of Victory and Veer Kunwar Singh) on the later part of Veer Kunwar Singh's life, starting from the time he was crossing the river Ganges and finishing with his death, because of his injury.
As a recognition to his contribution to India`s freedom movement, the Department of Posts honoured him by releasing a commemorative postage stamp.
Issued Date : 23.04.1966
Denomination : 15 Paise
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