The Bhalki Conspiracy

Subject – History

Context – Forgotten tales of the freedom struggle in Karnataka as India celebrates its 75^th Independence.

Concept –

Exactly 10 years after India’s First War of Independence in 1857, the anti-British sentiments echoed in Bhalki, and it was later termed the Bhalki Conspiracy.
The associates of Nana Saheb Peshwa II and Tatya Tope, the notable leaders of the revolt, regrouped in Hyderabad and staged attacks against British camps in Secundrabad, Aurangabad, and other places in 1862.
Rao Saheb, nephew of Nana Saheb, who led the attacks, was caught and executed. His associate Rama Rao challenged the British by hoisting Bhagwa Dhwaj at Ashti village near Bhalki in 1867.
The British began a manhunt and when Rama Rao, also known as Jung Bahadur, and his associates Balakrishna, Vitoba, and Bhima Rao were holding a meeting at Bhalki, the British arrested them. They were charged with hatching a plot against the British and the Nizam rule and awarded life imprisonment.
The Bhalki Conspiracy is considered to be the last echo of India’s First War of Independence.