On the 16th of February, Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to the immortal revolutionary hero Tatya Tope on his birth anniversary.
Tatya Tope was born as Ramachandra Pandurang Tope in 1814 in Yeola, Nashik district, Maharashtra. His father was an important official in the court of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. Tatya Tope received his early education from his father, who was also his mentor in the art of war.
Tatya Tope joined the army of the Peshwa, and soon, he became an expert in guerrilla warfare. He fought against the British in several battles, including the Anglo-Maratha War of 1848-49.
When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 broke out, Tatya Tope played a pivotal role in leading the rebels. He joined hands with other prominent leaders such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Sahib, and Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor.
Tatya Tope’s military skills and strategic planning were instrumental in several battles against the British. He was particularly successful in the Central India campaign, where he led a small army and defeated several British forces. He also played a crucial role in the Siege of Kanpur, where the British forces were defeated by the rebels.
After several months of intense fighting, the British finally captured Tatya Tope in April 1859. He was tried and sentenced to death for his role in the rebellion. On April 18, 1859, Tatya Tope was executed by hanging in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.
