An important figure in the 1857 revolt, Ramachandra Pandurang Tope, better known as Tatya Tope breathed his last on today on 18th April 1859. He was one of the most notable Indian freedom fighters and a general in the Rebellion of 1857.

Born in 1814 in Nashik, Maharashtra into a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family, Tatya Tope was the only son of Pandurang Rao Tope and his wife Rukhmabai. Tantia Tope was an intimate friend and the right hand of Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa.

In 1851, when Nana Sahib was deprived of his father's pension, Tatya Tope became a sworn enemy of the British. Tatya Tope tried to fight the British from Gwalior and after losing Gwalior to the British he came to Rajputana and joined forces with Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. However, he was defeated by at Ranod and at Sikar. He was later executed by the British Government at Shivpuri on 18 April 1859.

In the memory of this one of the great leaders of the first war of Independence, India Postal Department has issued 50 Paise commemorative postage stamp in 1984.

Image Source: Mintage World

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