01-05-2025
British bounty of Rs 1L on Nana SahebPeshwa would be worth Rs 82cr today
Lucknow: Royal rebel
Nana Saheb Peshwa
was always a prized catch for the
East India Company
during India's first war of independence in 1857. But one gets an idea of his 'wanted' stature from the reward announced on him.
The EIC had published an advertisement announcing a bounty of Rs 1 lakh to any person who would help it arrest Nana Saheb Peshwa — the leader of Indian rebellion against the British in the then Cawnpore (today's Kanpur).
This 'advertisement' and many such priceless exhibits would be on display at the UP State Archives Exhibition on the '
War of 1857
' to mark its 76th anniversary. The exhibition will be inaugurated in Lucknow on Friday and continue till May 10.
The astounding fact is that the bounty of Rs 1 lakh, which was way too high even in those times, would be worth a whopping Rs 82 crore in the present times.
The Peshwa could never be captured by the British and he disappeared after the rebellion.
"In those days, one rupee coin was made of 180 troy grains (locally known as tolla or 11.66 grams) of highly pure silver. It means that the weight of Rs 1 lakh of those days was about 11,600kg of silver. Considering that the cost of silver in India as of today is Rs 70,900, the bounty may be pegged at Rs 82,24,40,000," said Sushil Kumar Pandey, faculty at the department of history at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.
"As many as 30 interesting exhibits related to India's first war of independence will be on display," said an official.
Another key exhibit, a telegraphic message from the commander in chief to the Governor General of India dated Feb 25, 1858, is a testimony of the bravery of Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh and how she led the attack on British officer James Outram on elephant back in Lucknow.
"The enemy attacked this morning much in the same style as on Sunday. Their columns towards our right rear in great strength. Cavalry, artillery, and infantry moved out to intercept, took two guns, and cut up a large number. Begum and some of her principal officers were present in the field on the elephants but got back into the outworks before they could be reached. Our loss: two killed and six or eight wounded – so far as yet known…," reads the exhibit.
Meanwhile, organisers said that the 76th anniversary celebrations would be marked by a day-long event in which historians and history teachers from across the city would share insights on diverse topics.
A key highlight of the event would be a paper presentation by 45 research scholars from UP and neighbouring states. The theme for this year's paper presentation is 'India's first war of independence-1857'.
Who was Nana Saheb?
Born as Dhondu Pant, Nana Saheb Peshwa II was a key figure in the War of 1857. He led the rebellion in Kanpur (Cawnpore) and forced the British troops to surrender and even held the reins of the city briefly. His grievances stemmed from the East India Company's denial of his pension after his adopted father, Peshwa Baji Rao II, died.
