Gujarat’s contribution to the 1857 revolt:
(1) The 7th battalion of the British army joined the revolt in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in June 1857. However, it was halted almost immediately.
(2) Dahod, Jhalod and Godhara of Panchmahal witnessed skirmishes with the British. Soldiers would capture Government offices with the help of natives but were soon defeated. The Nayakadas of Panchmahal continued to rebel for almost a year.
(3) Garbad Das Patel, the headman of Anand in Kheda district collected 2000 volunteers of the Koli and Nayakada communities to join the revolt. He was supported by Jivabhai Thakor of Khanpur, Malaji Joshi and Krishna Das Dave. However, these supporters were captured by the British, tied to mouths of cannons and blown off. Garbad Das was exiled to Andaman where he too died.
(4) People of Chandup (Chandap) village joined the revolt under the leadership of Nathaji and Yamaji.
(5) The British reached Bet Dwarka via the Bay of Bengal. Donovan attacked the fort with cannon balls. The Wagher community sheltering inside the fort had nothing to counter this attack when the Wagher women came up with an innovative idea. They caught the cannon balls in mattresses soaked in water. This disarmed the cannon balls and allowed the men to fight without being hit. Nowhere in the world has such an act of valour been displayed.
(6) Cities of North Gujarat like Patan, Kheralu, Bhiloda, Mudeti, etc. joined the revolt with the help of natives.
(7) Tatya Tope stayed with his army in Panchmahal in December 1858. He escaped into the Vansavada forest when being chased by the British army.
