Meerut (May 10, 1857): The actual beginning of the Revolt of 1857. Indian sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry refused to use greased cartridges, revolted, killed British officers, and marched to Delhi. This event is considered the spark that ignited the widespread rebellion.
Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal, wife of the deposed Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, led the revolt. She proclaimed her young son, Birjis Qadir, as the Nawab. The British Residency was besieged for months. Sir Henry Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner, died during the siege.
Kanpur: Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II, led the revolt. He was denied his pension by the British. His loyal general, Tantia Tope, played a crucial role. The 'Sati Chaura Ghat Massacre' and the 'Bibighar Massacre' occurred here.
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai, whose adopted son's claim to the throne was rejected by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse, bravely fought against the British. She became a symbol of resistance and martyrdom.
Bareilly: Khan Bahadur Khan, a descendant of the former Rohilla rulers, led the revolt. He organized an army of 40,000 soldiers and offered stiff resistance.
Faizabad (Ayodhya): Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah, a prominent religious leader, led the rebellion. He was known for his fierce anti-British sermons and organized a large number of followers. He was a key figure in the Awadh region.
Allahabad (Prayagraj): Liaquat Ali led the revolt here. It was also the place where Lord Canning read out Queen Victoria's Proclamation in 1858, marking the transfer of power to the British Crown.
Early Nationalist Associations in UP: The 'United Indian Patriotic Association' (1888) was founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in Aligarh to counter the Indian National Congress and promote loyalty to the British.