The Historical Context of Awadh and Sultanpur
The Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh possesses a rich heritage spanning ancient, medieval, and modern history. During the 19th century, when Sultanpur was part of the Awadh region governed from Lucknow, the area underwent significant political shifts. According to TrendKia, the aftermath of the 1857 revolution led to a strategic realignment between the British administration and the local landed gentry known as talukedars.
Lord Canning and the 198 Sanads
As documented by historian Rajeshwar Singh in his book ‘Sultanpur Itihas ki Jhalak’, Governor General Lord Canning distributed 198 sanads to the talukedars of the Awadh region during a formal durbar held in Lucknow. Of these, 25 were specifically from the Sultanpur district. Local journalist Vikram Brijendra Singh emphasizes that these grants were crucial in cementing the British influence within the local power structure of the time.
List of Talukedars and Statistical Growth
Chapter 3 of the Awadh Gazetteer provides a detailed list of these original 25 talukedars. Over time, this number expanded, reaching 34 by the end of the 19th century. Notable names from the initial list include Babu Israj Singh of Taluka Mevpur Dehla, Mevpur Rudra Pratap Shahi of Taluka Diyara and Amhat Dhanauli, Raja Bahadur Singh of Taluka Shahganj, Jamshed Ali Khan of Taluka Mahona, Dargahi Singh of Taluka Ucha Gaon, Rani Harnath Kunwar of Taluka Katari, Babu Hardatt Singh of Taluka Samratpur, Bibi Ilahi Khanam of Taluka Maniyarpur, Pali Thakurain Dariyav Kunwar of Taluka Garabpur, along with Jabbar Singh and Baijnath Singh of Taluka Pratapur.
The Impact of British Policy on the Populace
The British policy of 'divide and rule' proved highly advantageous for these feudal lords, who became steadfast supporters of the colonial administration. As these individuals acquired ownership of vast tracts of land, the economic burden on the common people increased significantly. The strong alliance between the talukedars and the British colonial power stifled local dissent, which is why there were few notable historical incidents of resistance recorded in Sultanpur until the end of the 19th century.
