The people’s struggle against the British and the native kings who ruled on behalf of the imperial regime has a long history of bloodshed and sacrifice. Among them, the rebellion of peasants in the Malnad region of Karnataka — called ‘Nagar rebellion’ — against the taxation and inhuman practices of the rulers to extract taxes in 1830-31, deserves a prominent place.
The rebellion, which forced the Mysuru rulers and the British to deploy heavy force, ended in the death of at least 250 people, though there were statements by officers to suggest a higher toll.
Nagar, now in Shivamogga district, was the headquarters of a district in the beginning of the 19th century. Then it was part of the Mysore State, which was under indirect British rule. Prior to this, the district was under the Keladi rulers. Hyder Ali conquered Keladi kingdom in 1763 and it stayed briefly with them till his son Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799 at the hands of the British. Later, Nagar continued with Mysore State, as per the treaty between the Mysore rulers and the British.
