Every Hyderabadi has definitely heard the term ‘Turum Khan’ at least once in his lifetime. Often used for a brave person, this unique term is very much commonplace in our lingo. But have you ever wondered how this word originated? Interestingly, some historians say, ‘Turum Khan’ came from the name of Turrebaz Khan, the Hyderabadi freedom fighter who got lost in the annals of history.
We're going to tell you about an extraordinary revolt that you didn't learn in your high-school history books. About a mutiny that happened on the 17th of July, 1857... 158 years ago. About unsung heroes like Turrebaz Khan, Raja Mahipati and Maulvi Allauddin who mobilized around 6,000 people and fought against the British.
Because it is a story that needs to be told. Come, gather around folks...
The First War of Independence in 1857(or the Sepoy Mutiny as the British preferred to describe it) was mostly confined to Meerut, Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Barrackpore, Gwalior, Jhansi, Arrah and few other areas. However, some isolated incidents took place at other areas in the country too. These were quickly suppressed. Hyderabad too was witness to one of its own. We cannot forget the role of Turrebaz Khan, who attacked the castle of the British Residency in Hyderabad.
A painting of the British Residency, circa 1813. Courtesy: Captain Robert M. Grindlay.
After the Nizam signed the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company in 1800, there were bouts of anti-British rebellions till 1857, led notably by Raja Mahipat Ram, Mubarez-ud-Dowlah, Moulvi Allauddin, and Turrebaz Khan. Among the noteworthy places of such uprising were Aurangabad, Udgir, Nizamabad, Raichur and Karimnagar. Within the Nizam's army and the Subsidiary Troops of East India Company, men revolted against the European officers. Behind some of these rebellions were communities such as Bhils, Hutkers and Marathas.
Afzal–ud-Daula, the fifth Nizam, ascended the throne of Hyderabad after the death of his father just before the mutiny started. Some trouble was expected in the Hyderabad province too although no major unrest was foreseen.
Afzal-ud-Daula, the fifth Nizam.
After a meeting at Mecca Masjid, Turrebaz Khan led a band of soldiers, the 'Rohillas' of Afghan descent and Arab rebels, and mounted an armed attack on the Residency on July 17, 1857 at 5.45 pm. About 500 Rohillas marched to the British Resident Col. Cuthbert Davidson's castle and took up positions in two houses belonging to money lenders Abban Saheb and Jaigopal Das and opened fire at the Residency. Then they brought down the walls Azim Ali Khan's house and tore off the hinges of the entrance near Putli Bowli as their comrades gave covering fire from the two double-storied houses.
Maulvi Allauddin, who supported Turrebaz on his rebellion. Courtesy: Wikipedia.
Housed inside the prison in the Residency was another of their comrades, Jamedar Cheeda Khan. Led by a fiery Moulvi Allaudin (who preached revolt in his Friday sermon) and Turrebaz Khan, the mob wanted to free Jamedar Cheeda Khan who had revolted against the British when Hyderabad Contingent's 3rd Cavalry was asked to march to Delhi at Buldhana and fled with 15 others to Hyderabad to bring the fire of mutiny to the Nizam's turf. The moment Cheeda Khan reached Hyderabad, he was arrested by Nizam's minister Salar Jung I who handed him over to the Resident as he was a British soldier. He was jailed as well as tried inside the Residency building.
The Residency Prison, where Jamedar Cheeda Khan was kept. Courtesy: The Hindu.
In spite of their spirited fight, the Rohillas failed to free Cheeda Khan. The British troops who were led by Major S. C. Briggs opened up their artillery, kept ready by the Resident, who was alerted by Salar Jung. The lightly armed men led by Turrebaz were no match for the trained soldiers of Madras Horse Artillery who fired from stationary positions from the fort. The firing went all night long and by morning, there were a few bodies and pockmarked buildings and scared residents of Putli Bowli and Sultan Baazar.
Turrebaz Khan, who escaped then, was discovered and shot dead near Toopran; his body was dragged back and hanged naked near the Residency building. Moulvi Allaudin was caught near Mangalampally and was sentenced to deportation to Andaman where he died in 1884. The houses of Abban Saheb and Jaigopal Das were blown away after the mutiny. The Nizam Afzal-ud-Daula and his minister Salar Jung received laurels from East India Company for their "unflinching support during the troubled times and for letting down the rebels... The British Government will not forget that it has owed to his highness the Nizam and his most able minister," wrote Col Davidson.
A book on the revolt of 1857, which you should read for more insights about the story.
Today, the memory of Turrebaz Khan has been lost in the midst of milling traffic, thousands of autos, squatting buffaloes, roadside Romeos, cat callers, shady people, people spitting pan on the roads, filth and garbage thrown around everywhere. There is a stone memorial also with elephant heads at the site for the heroes of 1857 rebellion, but no one knows what it is and why it is there(myself too, until today). Once in a while, some leader arrives to garland it on some occasion and is happy he is photographed by the media.
The memorial at Koti built in the memory of the valiant freedom fighter Turrebaz Khan. Courtesy: The Hindu.
Bonus!
V6 News did a feature story about him, and though it does not contain accurate images(some of them are taken from films about Genghis Khan) and dates, it is pretty cool.
The only legacy the Government bestowed upon this unsung hero is naming the road in front of Osmania Medical College after him. Yet, very few know about it or about his historic exploits.
But now you do.
A painting of the British Residency, circa 1813. Courtesy: Captain Robert M. Grindlay.
After the Nizam signed the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company in 1800, there were bouts of anti-British rebellions till 1857, led notably by Raja Mahipat Ram, Mubarez-ud-Dowlah, Moulvi Allauddin, and Turrebaz Khan. Among the noteworthy places of such uprising were Aurangabad, Udgir, Nizamabad, Raichur and Karimnagar. Within the Nizam's army and the Subsidiary Troops of East India Company, men revolted against the European officers. Behind some of these rebellions were communities such as Bhils, Hutkers and Marathas.
Afzal–ud-Daula, the fifth Nizam, ascended the throne of Hyderabad after the death of his father just before the mutiny started. Some trouble was expected in the Hyderabad province too although no major unrest was foreseen.
Afzal-ud-Daula, the fifth Nizam.
After a meeting at Mecca Masjid, Turrebaz Khan led a band of soldiers, the 'Rohillas' of Afghan descent and Arab rebels, and mounted an armed attack on the Residency on July 17, 1857 at 5.45 pm. About 500 Rohillas marched to the British Resident Col. Cuthbert Davidson's castle and took up positions in two houses belonging to money lenders Abban Saheb and Jaigopal Das and opened fire at the Residency. Then they brought down the walls Azim Ali Khan's house and tore off the hinges of the entrance near Putli Bowli as their comrades gave covering fire from the two double-storied houses.
Maulvi Allauddin, who supported Turrebaz on his rebellion. Courtesy: Wikipedia.
Housed inside the prison in the Residency was another of their comrades, Jamedar Cheeda Khan. Led by a fiery Moulvi Allaudin (who preached revolt in his Friday sermon) and Turrebaz Khan, the mob wanted to free Jamedar Cheeda Khan who had revolted against the British when Hyderabad Contingent's 3rd Cavalry was asked to march to Delhi at Buldhana and fled with 15 others to Hyderabad to bring the fire of mutiny to the Nizam's turf. The moment Cheeda Khan reached Hyderabad, he was arrested by Nizam's minister Salar Jung I who handed him over to the Resident as he was a British soldier. He was jailed as well as tried inside the Residency building.
The Residency Prison, where Jamedar Cheeda Khan was kept. Courtesy: The Hindu.
In spite of their spirited fight, the Rohillas failed to free Cheeda Khan. The British troops who were led by Major S. C. Briggs opened up their artillery, kept ready by the Resident, who was alerted by Salar Jung. The lightly armed men led by Turrebaz were no match for the trained soldiers of Madras Horse Artillery who fired from stationary positions from the fort. The firing went all night long and by morning, there were a few bodies and pockmarked buildings and scared residents of Putli Bowli and Sultan Baazar.
Turrebaz Khan, who escaped then, was discovered and shot dead near Toopran; his body was dragged back and hanged naked near the Residency building. Moulvi Allaudin was caught near Mangalampally and was sentenced to deportation to Andaman where he died in 1884. The houses of Abban Saheb and Jaigopal Das were blown away after the mutiny. The Nizam Afzal-ud-Daula and his minister Salar Jung received laurels from East India Company for their "unflinching support during the troubled times and for letting down the rebels... The British Government will not forget that it has owed to his highness the Nizam and his most able minister," wrote Col Davidson.
A book on the revolt of 1857, which you should read for more insights about the story.
Today, the memory of Turrebaz Khan has been lost in the midst of milling traffic, thousands of autos, squatting buffaloes, roadside Romeos, cat callers, shady people, people spitting pan on the roads, filth and garbage thrown around everywhere. There is a stone memorial also with elephant heads at the site for the heroes of 1857 rebellion, but no one knows what it is and why it is there(myself too, until today). Once in a while, some leader arrives to garland it on some occasion and is happy he is photographed by the media.
The memorial at Koti built in the memory of the valiant freedom fighter Turrebaz Khan. Courtesy: The Hindu.
Bonus!
V6 News did a feature story about him, and though it does not contain accurate images(some of them are taken from films about Genghis Khan) and dates, it is pretty cool.
The only legacy the Government bestowed upon this unsung hero is naming the road in front of Osmania Medical College after him. Yet, very few know about it or about his historic exploits.
But now you do.
