April 18 marks the death anniversary of Ramachandra Pandurang Yawalkar, a general in the Indian rebellion of 1857. Also known as Tantia Tope or Tatya Tope, the notable Indian freedom fighter was tried and executed in Maharashtra’s Shivpuri in 1859 by the British.

Here are some interesting facts about rebel general Tatya Tope:

1. Tatya Tope was born in Maharashtra’s Nashik in 1814. He was a Maratha Brahman and the only son of Pandurang Rao Tope and his wife Rukhmabai.

2. He was a close aide of Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao Ballal, who was also prominent in the 1857-58 Indian mutiny.

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3. Tope took command of the rebel forces of the state of Gwalior in November 1857.

4. He forced British general CA Windham into his entrenchments in Kanpur on November 27–28. Although, he was defeated by Sir Colin Campbell in December that year. 

5. He moved to Jhansi in March 1858 and collaborated with Rani Lakshmi Bai to seize Gwalior back.

6. When Rani Lakshmi Bai died in June 1858, Tope cremated her body and performed the last rites.

7. He fought about 150 battles against the Britishers with no formal military training and was known as a guerrilla fighter.