KOTWAL DHAN
SINGH
Kotwal Dhan Singh, also known as Dhunna Singh, was an Indian Kotwal (Police Chief) of Meerut. He was born on 27th November, 1820 in Panchali village, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. KotwalDhan Singh played a significant role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was a key figure in the tribal uprisings in Southern Rajputana, particularly in Mewar, Banswara and Partapgarh.
Dhan Singh was the head of police station in Meerut
during the first war of independence. On 10th may 1857, a rebellion
against the British East India Company broke out in Meerut. As the Kotwal of
the city, his job was to protect the city. However, many of his officers
deserted his force on that day, either to join the rebellion or to escape the
rebel’s fury. The city saw a large-scale rioting, plunder and murder. When two
of his chowkidars (Guards) apprehended two men for stealing horses, he asked
them not to make arrest, fearing reprisals from the rebels. Around midnight, he
was called to the house of a Bengali man, which was being plundered by a huge
group of armed Gurjars’. His chowkidars arrested the plunderers but he
restrained them from using force against the Gurjars. Hethen released those men
with the loot, after the group agreed to go away. Heard several other policemen
later deserted the force. He is believed to have fled thousands of villagers
from all across the Meerut district to the city’s jail. According to the
official records, the rebels released 839 prisoners. They were among the rebels
who participated in the siege of Delhi. After there bullion was suppressed, he
was hanged by the British on 4th July, 1857 for his role in the
revolt at Meerut. He is believed to have freed more than 800 native prisoners.
His statue stands in the same police station where he served as a Kotwal for
almost two centuries ago from now.
Aside from a few personalities, we have all read about
and know it is unfortunate that the names of so many great freedom fighters are
still unknown to us. Dhan Singh is one of them. We should recognize their
immense contribution towards the country.
Blairingdao Ponglo, Class (IX)