Banpur and Talbehat

Motorcycling through Banpur and Talbehat

Todays ride was in honour of heroes of First War of Independence.The Total Km Covered was 271 Km.The Route taken was Jhansi-Lalitpur-Banpur-Talbehat-Jhansi.The road is excellent for all types of bikes.Road side assistance is available and so are number of Petrol pumps.Number of Dhabas on the road but frankly speaking I did not try any,suggested do carry own bottle avoid buying bottled water from dhabas.

The journey was to the home of one of the most important,mystic and brave leader of 1857 Maharaja Mardan Singh.

Maharaja Mardan Singh was born in Chanderi in the royal family and was  the 11th generation of King Chhatrasal.Young Mardan Singh grew learning  warrior art and listening to stories of bravery of King Chhatrasal and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,his mother had the lion's share in shaping his destiny.His father Mor Pralhad was the ruler of Chanderi-Banpur-Talbehat.However due to his weakness for wine and women he lost Chanderi to Malwa Sultans and Banpur become his new place of residency.

BANPUR

Banpur it is located about 37 Kms from lalitpur.It was constructed by Devi Singh.This fort was home of Mardan Singh till he captured Chanderi and Talbehat.The fort is surrounded by artificial lakes from three sides,a typical feature of forts of Bundelkhand which not only provides water but also defence to fort.

The Fort played an important role in life of , Mardarn Singh from its very ramparts he lead successful campaigns to win back his kingdom of Chanderi and Talbehat.This fort was also an important rallying point in 1857.Hugh Rose during his march towards Jhansi captured and blasted the fort,thereby destroying it completely.

In Spite of destruction both by man and nature,some beautiful examples of Bundeli art still remain.

TALBEHAT

Fort Talbehat is prominently seen from the megahigh way.Tal Means-lake and behat means-village in language of the Gonds who were earlier chieftains of the area.Area changed hands from Gonds to Pratihara rajputs to Chandelas to Gonds,later on becoming a bundela stronghold.Bharat Shah brother of Bir Singh laid the foundation of the fort and completed it in 1618.Devi singh later on refurbished the fort.

One of the most striking feature of the fort is a 500 acres lake ,legend says that during severe drought ,brahmins fasted,penance done,followed by human sacrifice,this culminated in sprouting of water from ground,resulting in huge lake.

With the fall of Mughals ,Scindias went on an expansion mode,leading to capture of Talbehat by Scindia’s French commander Jean-Baptiste.Southern part was breached and fort captured.

Mardar Singh who by this time had become great fried of british by capturing 140 dreaded dacoits in and around lalitpur and handing them to british, besieged the fort,this time Baptiste was checked by brilliant tactics of Mardan Singh.Negotiations prodded by the british  was carried out ,thereby Banpur and Talbehat restored to Mardan Singh .

The well in the fort is dug in single rock and never has it dried.

Few remaining Bundeli rock art

Before the final battle of March 1858 ,Mardan Singh fought three battles with british,at Naryawali,Malthone,and Khimlasa he won all the three.For capture of Talbehat the assault was lead by scindia forces with there year old knowledge of capture of fort,they easily blasted the southern wall ,however in a fierce battle the british force had to retreat back..With arrival of 2000 Lancers given by begum of Bhopal,the tide turned in favour of british.After loot,plunder and massacre was lead by Bhopal lancers and Orchha forces,Hugh Rose marched ahead towards Jhansi.

Destroyed Portion of Wall

Mardan Singh was captured and kept in lahore jail.later on shifted to mathura and kept under house arrest.The Giant leader breathed his last on July of 1879.A very popular leader of masses for whom nation remained first above everything.