During the Revolt of 1857, which rebel leader was popularly known as “Danka Shah” among the people?

Introduction / Context:
The Revolt of 1857 saw the emergence of many local leaders who became symbols of resistance against British rule. Some of these leaders were remembered by special titles or nicknames that reflected their role and popularity among the masses. One such figure is known as Danka Shah, a title that appears in several historical accounts of the uprising. This question tests your ability to connect that nickname with the correct rebel leader.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The time period is the Revolt of 1857.
• The nickname mentioned is Danka Shah.
• The options list prominent rebel leaders such as Shah Mal, Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah, Nana Sahib, and Tantia Tope.
• You must identify which one of these leaders was called Danka Shah during the revolt.

Concept / Approach:
Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah of Faizabad and Awadh region was a prominent religious leader and an active participant in the revolt. Historical narratives describe him as a charismatic figure whose arrival in a town was often announced by beating drums, symbolising his call to arms against the British. This led people to refer to him as Danka Shah, associated with the beating of drums. The other leaders listed were important rebels, but this particular title is specifically attached to Ahmadullah Shah.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah played an important role in Awadh and was known for his fiery speeches and ability to mobilise people. Step 2: Historical accounts indicate that his followers used drums to announce his presence and summon people, leading to the popular name Danka Shah. Step 3: Shah Mal was a local leader in the region of Baraut, Nana Sahib was associated with Kanpur, and Tantia Tope was a famous military leader, but none of them is widely known by this particular nickname. Step 4: Compare the options and identify that only Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah matches the title Danka Shah. Step 5: Conclude that Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many exam oriented history books and summaries of the Revolt of 1857 include lists of leaders with their nicknames or special references. In these lists, Danka Shah is consistently associated with Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah. Other leaders like Nana Sahib and Tantia Tope are instead linked with different locations and roles, such as the siege of Kanpur or campaigns in central India. The absence of any mention of this nickname for the other options supports the conclusion that Ahmadullah Shah is the person referred to.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shah Mal: Although he led peasants in the region of Baraut, there is no well documented use of the title Danka Shah for him.

Nana Sahib: He was a key figure at Kanpur, claiming the title of Peshwa, but his name is not associated with the Danka Shah nickname.
Tantia Tope: He was a brilliant military commander during the revolt, yet he is not recorded as being called Danka Shah in historical records.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes guess the nickname based solely on partial knowledge or on linguistic similarity of names without recalling the specific association described in history texts. Another pitfall is to select a more famous leader like Nana Sahib or Tantia Tope simply because their names are more familiar. To avoid such errors, it is useful to make small flashcards linking each nickname or special description with the correct historical figure.

Final Answer:
During the Revolt of 1857, the leader known as Danka Shah was Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah.