What were the 5 main centres of revolt of 1857?

The 5 main centres of 1857 revolt were Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gwalior and Bihar.

Lucknow: It was the capital of Awadh. Begum Hazrat Mahal, one of the wives of the ex-king of Awadh, took up the leadership of the revolt.

Kanpur: The revolt was led by Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He joined the revolt primarily because he was deprived of his pension by the British. The victory was short- lived. Kanpur was recaptured by the British after fresh reinforcements arrived. The revolt was suppressed with terrible vengeance. Nana Saheb escaped but his brilliant commander Tantia Tope continued the struggle. Tantia Tope was finally defeated, arrested and hanged.

Jhansi: The twenty-two-year-old Rani Lakshmi Bai led the rebels when the British refused to accept the claim of her adopted son to the throne of Jhansi. She fought gallantly against the British forces but was ultimately defeated by the English.

Gwalior: After Rani Lakshmi Bai escaped, she was joined by Tantia Tope and together they marched to Gwalior and captured it. Fierce fighting followed where the Rani of Jhansi fought like a tigress but died, fighting to the very end. Gwalior was recaptured by the British.

Bihar: The revolt was led by Kunwar Singh who belonged to a royal house of Jagdishpur, Bihar.