[cite news ]
title = Bidar's forgotten hero
language = English
publisher = Deccan Herald
date = 2006-08-17
url =http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/17/stories/2006011705170200.htm
accessdate = 2007-08-07 ] Bhalki's importance in the 1857 war is played out at the very end of the war, when one of Tatya Tope's followers is arrested and tried by the Nizam, in 1867. This person was Madho Rao, alias Rama Rao, the nephew of Shirmant Shahu Chatrapati, the Maharaja of Satara. He was also known as "Jung Bahadur", as referred by Sir Richard Temple in his diaries. Jung Bahadur raised an army of over 1500 people in and around the forests of Bhalki. He recruited soldiers in the villages issuing them "Kaulnamas" or appointment letters, in which he asked young men to join him in the task of "murdering the British and regaining the lost glory of the Royal family of Satara". Jung Bahadur and his followers moved on foot from village to village, disguised as mendicants.
He caused great damage to the British government, and captured a cantonment area called Ashti in Bidar district. He and his main followers were eventually arrested by two officers of the British resident in Hyderabad state. Their trial however, was conducted by the Nizam’s courts. The Magistrate of the criminal court, Moulvi Nasrullah Khan, completed the trial in less than a month, charging them with "trying to bring about insurrection against the empire".
Jung Bahadur, Bheem Rao, Balakishtayya and Vithoba were sentenced to transportation to life. Jung Bahadur is said to have spent his last days in the Hyderabad prison, where he died. His followers Yeshwanta and Jehangir Ali were sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment. Others like Eshwanna Naikwadi and Vir Peddappa were given minor punishments.
Geography
Bhalki is located at coord|18.03|N|77.22|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Bhalki.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bhalki] ] It has an average elevation of 587 metres (1925 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Bhalki had a population of 35,102. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bhalki has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 61% of the males and 39% of the females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
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