Mahua Dabar facts for kids
Mahua Dabar was once a small town in India. It was located in the Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. This town was sadly destroyed by the British during a big event called the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It's important not to confuse it with another town nearby that has a similar name.
Quick facts for kids
Mahua Dabar
|
|
|---|---|
| Mahua | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District | Basti |
| Tehsil | Harraiya |
| Vehicle registration | UP- 51 |
Contents
A Town's Sad Story
The Events of 1857
In March and April of 1857, a major uprising against British rule began in India. This event is known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. During this time, the people of Mahua Dabar stopped a boat. On the boat were six British soldiers. The townspeople surrounded these soldiers. Sadly, the soldiers were killed by the people of Mahua Dabar.
About two months later, on June 20, 1857, the British reacted. Soldiers from the British 12th Irregular Horse Cavalry surrounded Mahua Dabar. They destroyed almost every building in the town. Local stories say that nearly everyone living there was killed.
Mahua Dabar Disappears
The British completely flattened the town. They only allowed farming to take place there. Over time, the constant plowing of the land removed all traces of the destroyed buildings. Mahua Dabar, which was home to about 5,000 people, completely vanished. It was no longer found on maps or in history books.
Finding the Lost Town
A Family's Search
For many years, Mahua Dabar was just a forgotten place. But in 1994, a man named Mohammad Abdul Latif Ansari began a search. He was the great-grandson of someone who had escaped Mahua Dabar before its destruction. Mr. Ansari wanted to find the exact location of his family's lost ancestral town.
Historians Join the Quest
The local leader of the Basti district, R.N. Tripathi, helped Mr. Ansari. He formed a group of historians from the University of Lucknow. For 13 years, these historians searched for clues. Finally, they found an old map from 1831. This map clearly showed where Mahua Dabar used to be. All maps made after 1857 only showed the area as farmland.
Remembering Mahua Dabar
On July 3, 2011, a special event took place. Jagdambika Pal, a member of the Lok Sabha (which is like a lower house of the Parliament of India), and other important people were there. They unveiled a Commemorative plaque at the site of Mahua Dabar. This plaque helps everyone remember the town and its sad history.
