Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Patna Bookseller Peer Ali Khan Refused Betrayal in 1857 Revolt
A long time ago, in 1857, India was ruled by Britain, and many Indians wanted to be free.
A bookseller named Peer Ali Khan lived in the city of Patna, and his little shop was a secret meeting place for freedom fighters.
In July of that year, Peer Ali and his friends attacked British places in Patna to fight for freedom.
The British were very angry and arrested him the very next day.
A British leader named William Tayler told him: tell us who helped you, and you will live.
Peer Ali said no, because he would not betray his friends.
The British hurt him to try to make him talk, but he stayed silent.
He said they could hang men like him every day, but his cause would never die.
People remember him as a very brave man who gave everything for freedom.
Peer Ali Khan, a Patna bookseller whose shop became a nerve centre of India's freedom struggle, rose in open revolt on 3 July 1857.
He was arrested on 4 July 1857 along with dozens of his companions.
William Tayler, commissioner of Patna, later named him the chief rebel of the city.
Tayler offered him his life in exchange for the names of fellow conspirators, but Peer Ali refused.
He was tortured over the following days and gave up nothing, insisting the cause he served would never die.
- Who
- Peer Ali Khan, a Patna bookseller and rebel leader, and William Tayler, the British commissioner of Patna.
- What
- An open revolt against British targets in Patna, followed by Peer Ali Khan's arrest, torture, and refusal to betray his fellow conspirators.
- When
- 3-4 July 1857, with torture continuing over the following days.
- Where
- Patna, India.
- Why
- To fight British rule; Peer Ali Khan chose death over betraying his fellow conspirators.
- Rebel
- Peer Ali Khan
- Role
- Bookseller; his shop was a nerve centre of the freedom struggle
- Revolt Date
- 3 July 1857
- Arrest Date
- 4 July 1857
- British Official
- William Tayler, commissioner of Patna
- Title Given
- Chief rebel of Patna
- Outcome
- Refused pardon, tortured, gave up nothing