Question

Who fought in the famous Battle of Chinhat in which the British forces under Henry Lawrence were defeated?

• A. Shah Mal
• B. Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah
• C. Birjis Qadr
• D. Kunwar Singh

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The Battle of Chinhat (June 30, 1857) was a key engagement during the 1857 Revolt where Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah and the Indian rebel forces defeated the British under Henry Lawrence. 

British Forces:

• Led by Brigadier General Henry Lawrence (Chief Commissioner of Awadh).
• Comprised British troops (32nd Foot Regiment), Sikh soldiers, and some loyal sepoys.

Rebel Forces:

• Sepoys of the East India Company’s Bengal Army – Primarily from the Awadh (Oudh) and Rohilkhand regions, including disaffected soldiers from the 13th, 48th, and 71st Native Infantry.
• Local Militias & Civilian Rebels – Peasants, talukdars (landlords), and armed volunteers from Awadh who joined the uprising.
• Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah – A prominent rebel leader and Islamic scholar who played a crucial role in organizing resistance in Awadh.
• Barkat Ahmad – A rebel subedar (Indian officer) who led the sepoys in the battle.

Outcome:

• The rebels outmaneuvered and defeated Lawrence’s forces, forcing them to retreat to the Lucknow Residency, where they were later besieged.
• The victory boosted rebel morale and solidified Awadh as a major center of the 1857 Revolt.