Raja Chet Singh: The Forgotten Rebel of Benares
Introduction
When we talk about India’s freedom struggle, names like Rani Lakshmibai, Tatya Tope, Mangal Pandey, and Bahadur Shah Zafar come to mind. Yet, decades before the Revolt of 1857, there were courageous Indian rulers who dared to stand against the rising power of the East India Company. Among them, Raja Chet Singh of Benares occupies a special place. His defiance against Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of Bengal, in 1781 was one of the earliest organized resistances against British dominance. Though eventually unsuccessful, his uprising reflected the deep discontent among Indian rulers towards the Company’s interference, and his story remains an inspiring chapter of resistance.
Early Life and Rise
Raja Chet Singh was the son of Raja Balwant Singh, the ruler of Benares (modern-day Varanasi). The Benares kingdom had historically enjoyed semi-autonomous status under the Mughals, but by the 18th century, power dynamics in northern India had shifted. The East India Company, having secured Bengal and Bihar after the Battle of Buxar (1764), began interfering in Benares politics.
After Balwant Singh’s death in 1770, Chet Singh inherited the throne of Benares. Initially, he maintained cordial relations with the Company and paid them revenue as a tributary ruler. However, over time, the Company’s demands grew excessive, straining the relationship between the ruler and the colonial administration.
Growing Tensions with the British
Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773–1785), sought to strengthen Company finances and authority. He viewed Benares as a wealthy region that could supply both money and troops for the Company’s military campaigns.
Chet Singh was compelled to provide:
- Annual revenue payments to the Company.
- Additional taxes and contributions for wars against Mysore (Hyder Ali) and the Marathas.
- Troops and cavalry whenever the Company demanded.
Over time, these demands became unbearable. Chet Singh saw them as an infringement on his autonomy and dignity as a ruler. Tensions escalated when Hastings accused him of failing to supply troops on time and of secretly conspiring with the Company’s enemies.
The Spark of Rebellion (1781)
By 1781, Hastings had lost patience. He accused Chet Singh of disloyalty and imposed heavy fines. When Chet Singh hesitated, Hastings personally marched to Benares with a small force to discipline him.
Initially, Chet Singh tried diplomacy, but Hastings’s harsh treatment and attempts to arrest him pushed the ruler into open rebellion. The people of Benares, already angered by Company exploitation, rallied behind their king.
In August 1781, Chet Singh’s forces attacked the British troops stationed in Benares. The revolt spread rapidly as local peasants, zamindars, and even armed bands from surrounding regions joined him. In the first clashes, Hastings’s men suffered heavy losses, and the Governor-General himself barely escaped.
A Temporary Victory
For a brief period, Chet Singh became a symbol of defiance. His fighters killed hundreds of Company soldiers, and Hastings had to flee to Chunar fort for safety. News of Chet Singh’s uprising inspired hope among other discontented rulers across northern India.
Many believed this could mark the beginning of a larger anti-British movement. Indeed, had neighboring powers like the Marathas or Awadh fully supported him, history might have taken a different course.
The Downfall
Despite his initial success, Chet Singh faced challenges:
- He lacked strong alliances with other major rulers.
- His forces were largely irregular and not well-trained compared to the disciplined Company army.
- Some local zamindars and nobles sided with the British for personal gain.
The Company quickly regrouped. By late 1781, Hastings sent reinforcements to crush the rebellion. Fierce battles followed, but the British slowly regained control. Chet Singh was forced to flee from Benares, seeking asylum in various princely courts.
Ultimately, the Company defeated his forces and installed his relative, Maharaja Mahip Narayan Singh, as the new ruler of Benares under stricter British supervision. Chet Singh lived the rest of his life in exile, moving between different parts of India, stripped of his throne and kingdom.
Historical Significance
Though Raja Chet Singh’s revolt ended in defeat, its significance cannot be overstated.
- Early Resistance:
His defiance came nearly 75 years before the Revolt of 1857, making him one of the earliest rulers to directly challenge Company rule. - Symbol of Local Patriotism:
His ability to mobilize local peasants and citizens of Benares showed the depth of resentment against British exploitation. - Warning to the Company:
The uprising revealed that Indian rulers would not quietly submit to foreign authority, forcing the British to rethink their strategies of expansion. - Forgotten Legacy:
Unlike later freedom fighters, Chet Singh’s story was not widely commemorated in mainstream narratives, partly because his rebellion was localized and lacked wider coordination. Yet, he deserves recognition as a pioneer of resistance.
Warren Hastings and the Aftermath
Ironically, Warren Hastings faced severe criticism back in Britain for his handling of the Benares crisis. His political rivals accused him of mismanagement and cruelty. During his impeachment trial in the British Parliament (1788–1795), the Chet Singh episode was used against him. Though he was eventually acquitted, the revolt left a stain on his career.
For Benares, the aftermath was tragic. The kingdom lost much of its autonomy, and the Company tightened its grip. Over time, Benares transformed into a princely state under indirect British rule, its rulers reduced to ceremonial figures.
Legacy of Raja Chet Singh
Today, Raja Chet Singh is remembered in local history and folklore as a brave king who stood against imperial exploitation. His fort in Ramnagar and other sites in Varanasi still carry traces of his rule. Some historians argue that had Chet Singh coordinated with larger powers like the Marathas or Tipu Sultan, his rebellion might have sparked a wider anti-British coalition much earlier.
In many ways, he was a precursor to the spirit of 1857 — a reminder that the seeds of India’s struggle for independence were sown long before the great uprising. His courage symbolizes the determination of Indian rulers to protect their sovereignty, even when the odds were stacked against them.
FAQ on Raja Chet Singh
Q1. Who was Raja Chet Singh?
Raja Chet Singh was the ruler of Benares (Varanasi) in the late 18th century who openly resisted the East India Company and Warren Hastings in 1781.
Q2. Why did Raja Chet Singh rebel against the British?
He rebelled due to excessive revenue demands, forced contributions for wars, and loss of his autonomy under the Company’s interference.
Q3. What happened in the Chet Singh Revolt of 1781?
Chet Singh’s forces attacked and defeated British troops in Benares, forcing Hastings to flee. However, the rebellion was later crushed when reinforcements arrived.
Q4. Was Raja Chet Singh successful in his rebellion?
Initially, yes — he defeated British troops and inspired local resistance. But eventually, he was overpowered, dethroned, and forced into exile.
Q5. What was the significance of Raja Chet Singh’s rebellion?
It was one of the earliest organized resistances against the British, nearly 75 years before 1857, and symbolized Indian rulers’ unwillingness to surrender their sovereignty.
Q6. Where can we see Raja Chet Singh’s legacy today?
His memory survives in local history, the Ramnagar Fort near Varanasi, and regional folklore, though mainstream history often overlooks him.
Conclusion
Raja Chet Singh of Benares may not be a household name in India’s freedom movement, but his defiance against Warren Hastings and the East India Company in 1781 remains a shining example of early resistance. Though defeated, he proved that the Indian spirit of independence was alive even in the darkest days of colonial encroachment.
Remembering him is not just about honoring a lost king — it is about acknowledging the many unsung heroes who fought, resisted, and laid the groundwork for the long struggle that ultimately freed India in 1947.
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