Dhanteras is well known to pay obeisance to Goddess Lakshmi. However Kota, now recognized for its teaching institutes, skilled a special Dhanteras in 1857.
These have been the times of India’s First Struggle of Independence. The British East India Firm had its army cantonments at Naseerabad, Deoli, Kota, Neemuch (now in Madhya Pradesh), Beawar, Erinoura and Kherwada in Rajasthan.
The revolt began in Naseerabad on Could 28, 1857. Kota was calm at the moment. Therefore, the British authorities determined to ship some troops from there to Neemuch in June 1857. Main Burton, the political agent of the Governor Normal at Kota, went with the contingent.
After undertaking the mission, Burton returned to Kota on October 12, 1857. However the British officers sensed one thing undesirable within the air. The following day, he visited the palace and advised that the king take away some officers from service as their loyalty was suspect. It fuelled the fireplace burning within the hearts of troopers. October 15, 1857 was the auspicious day of Dhanteras. The knowledge that the political agent has instructed the ruler to take away some Indian officers triggered the fireplace and the troopers revolted below the management of Lala Jaydayal and Mehrab Khan.
Revolutionaries surrounded the official residence of the political agent, the Residency Bungalow. Civilians additionally joined them. Guards of the bungalow couldn’t set up management over the gang which rushed upstairs with sword in arms.
The offended troopers killed Main Burton and mangled his two sons. When the revolutionaries got here to know that the king was making an attempt to get assist from the British, they stored the ruler in home arrest. Town was taken over by the revolutionaries and Lala Jaidayal was made in command of the administration. Thus, the goddess of freedom was worshipped in Kota, as an alternative of the goddess of wealth, on Dhanteras in 1857.
Relaxation is historical past. Town remained below the management of revolutionaries for six months. The British troops dislodged them on March 30, 1858.
Lala Jaidayal and Mehrab Khan escaped. However the greed of a person named Laliya led to the arrest of Lala Jaidayal. He was given the demise penalty on September 17, 1860 and was hanged on the identical premises the place Main Burton was killed. Mehrab Khan additionally met with the identical destiny.
