Movement in Madhya PradeshIn the history of Indian freedom movement region of Madhya Pradesh played a significant role.The first stirrings against the British supremacy were seen in the Central Provinces when the East India Company secured its foothold in the kingdom of Nagpur.Appa Sahib Bhonsle ascended the throne of Nagpur in February, 1817. He was compelled to sign a treaty with the Company under the terms of the Subsidiary Alliance.Appa Sahib could not swallow the HARD pill of subordination to a foreign power and RAISED a revolt against the British domination.Although he could not succeed in his efforts and had to leave Nagpur, he kindled a fire of freedom in the region, which continued to wage war against the British.The districts of Sagar and Damoh was given to the Peshwa of Poona by the Bundela Raja Chhatrasal.After the deposition of the Peshwa by Lord Hastings, these districts were ceded to the British in 1818. But it was not till March, 1818 that this region could be occupied by the British.The districts of Mandla, Betul, Seoni and the Narmada Valley were taken possession of by the Company after the defeat of Appa Sahib in the battle of Sitabaldi. Revolt in Sagar Narmada territoryIn 1820 this entire land, designated as the Sagar Narmada territory, was placed under an Agent to the Governor-General.In 1842 there was an upsurge in the Sagar-Narmada territory against the British tyranny.Jawahar Singh Bundela of Chandrapur and Madhukar Shah of Narhat were the leaders of the revolt.They were joined by the Gond Raja Dilhan Shah of Madanpur, Raja Hirde Shah of Hirapur and several other chiefs, including those of Narsinghpur.The British forces tried utmost to curb the Bundela upsurge. It took them more than a year to capture Hirde Shah and Madhukar Shah.The latter was publicly EXECUTED and his body was burnt behind the Sagar Jail. Madhukar Shah became a popular hero and was glorified in the folk-lore of Central India. The spirit of Independence gained a momentum in the YEARS to come.Nagpur, Satara, Jhanshi Annex by BritishIn December, 1853 Raghuji III, the Raja of Nagpur died and his State was annexed to the British dominion.This was followed by the annexation of Satara, Jhansi and several other States. These acts aroused public disgust and hatred against the British government.In the year 1854 the area of Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand were added to the province of Malwa. They now became a part of extensive Central India Agency, and were put in the charge of an Agent to the Governor-General.Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi had died on 21st November, 1853 and had left behind him a YOUNG prince duly adopted by him.The Raja’s queen, illustrious Rani Lakshmi Bai, was the Regent of the Prince.Lord Dalhousie did not recognise the ruling rights of the Prince and his Regent and annexed the State of Jhansi, putting in under his Agent. Rani Lakshmi Bai was compelled to raise a revolt against the British. She was helped in her endeavour by Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope. The Sindhia house of Gwalior and the Holkar house of Indore declined to give help to the cause of the revolt.