Attack on British Residency

 

3Q: Attack on British Residency

Ans: Attack on British Residency during Nizam Period

Introduction

The attack on the British Residency in Hyderabad on July 17, 1857, was a significant episode during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. This event unfolded under the rule of Nizam Afzal-ud-Daulah, Asaf Jah V, who maintained a close alliance with the British East India Company. The Residency, a grand neoclassical structure built between 1803 and 1806 by Lieutenant Samuel Russell, served as the British Resident's headquarters and symbolized colonial influence in the princely state of Hyderabad. Designed with Palladian architecture, it featured marble halls, expansive gardens, and defensive elements like high walls. The attack highlighted tensions between local discontent and the Nizam's pro-British stance, as rebels sought to overthrow colonial symbols amid the nationwide uprising that began in Meerut on May 10, 1857. .              www.osmanian.com Background

Hyderabad, under the Asaf Jahi dynasty, was one of India's largest princely states, enjoying semi-autonomy under British paramountcy established by the 1798 treaty. The Nizam provided military support to the British via the Hyderabad Contingent, a force of about 8,000 troops funded by the state but commanded by British officers. By 1857, widespread grievances against British policies—such as the Doctrine of Lapse, cultural insensitivity, and economic exploitation—fueled the rebellion across India. In Hyderabad, unrest simmered among Rohilla mercenaries (Pashtun warriors from northern India), Arab guards, and disaffected locals, exacerbated by rumors of forced conversion and greased cartridges offending religious sentiments. Maulvi Allauddin, a fiery preacher, and Turrebaz Khan, a former sepoy turned revolutionary, emerged as leaders. They mobilized around 500-600 rebels, including Rohillas and Arabs, who were dissatisfied with the Nizam's loyalty to the British. The Nizam, informed of the plot through intelligence, alerted Resident Colonel Cuthbert Davidson, allowing preparations for defense.

The Attack

On the evening of July 17, 1857, the rebels assembled near Gosha Mahal and advanced towards the Residency in Koti, occupying two nearby houses owned by moneylenders Abban Saheb and Pestonji. Armed with muskets, swords, and improvised weapons, they launched a multi-directional assault, chanting slogans for freedom and religion. Turrebaz Khan led the charge, breaching the compound wall with explosives and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. The defenders, comprising about 300 British troops, Hyderabad Contingent soldiers, and loyal Paigah nobles, repelled the onslaught using artillery and rifle fire. A howitzer positioned at the Residency's entrance inflicted heavy casualties. The battle raged for hours, with rebels setting fire to outbuildings and attempting to storm the main structure. Despite initial gains, the attackers were outgunned; many were killed or wounded. By dawn, the assault faltered, and survivors fled. The Residency sustained damage, including bullet marks still visible today, but held firm due to superior firepower and reinforcements from the Nizam's forces.

Aftermath

The failed attack resulted in around 60 rebel deaths and numerous arrests. Turrebaz Khan escaped initially but was captured in Toopran, 50 km north of Hyderabad, and shot while attempting to flee custody. Maulvi Allauddin fled to Bangalore but was extradited, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment on the Andaman Islands. The Nizam's government cracked down on sympathizers, disbanding Rohilla units and strengthening British ties. Rewards were given to loyalists, and the event reinforced the Nizam's status as a faithful ally, earning him the title "Our Faithful Ally" from Queen Victoria. Minor unrest persisted, culminating in the 1862 Bhalki Conspiracy, an alleged plot against the Residency, which was swiftly suppressed.

Legacy .              www.osmanian.com

The 1857 attack underscored Hyderabad's unique position during the revolt: while northern India burned, the Deccan remained relatively stable due to the Nizam-British alliance. The Residency, restored post-attack, later became the Osmania University College for Women, preserving its historical significance as a heritage site. Turrebaz Khan and Maulvi Allauddin are remembered as martyrs in Telangana folklore, symbolizing anti-colonial resistance. The event influenced later narratives of Indian independence, highlighting regional variations in the 1857 uprising. Today, it serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between princely loyalty and popular rebellion in colonial India.