POPULAR CULTURE AND 1857 87 where the Revolt spread, were so deeply, and actively involved that it became a part of their collective memory. I The Revolt of 1857, was most active in much of North India. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi were directly involved in this struggle. This struggle is alive even today in the collective memory of the people of the affected regions. As a result, the Revolt is described in many folk tales, ballads, Paniwra in the folk cultures found in Kauravi (Meerut, Delhi) Avadhi (Lucknowand Central U.P.) Braj (Mathura, Aligarh, Agra etc.) Bhojpur (Bihar & Eastern U.P.), Baghel and and Bundel Qhansi and M.P.). For the reconstruction of the history of the castes, communities and societies, folk lores are now regarded as an important primary source.3 Without adequate exploration of folk culture, rewriting of people' s histories will always be incomplete.4 D.D. Kosambi in his quest for social and historical truths, made meanigful attempts to analyse popular forms of the cultural behaviour of peoples.5 The tradition, promoted by him, survives, even today. Outside India, Eugene Weber has reconstructed the history of French peasantry through folk lores and local traditions.6 In the Indian society, folk culture is significantly instrumental in comprehending the peasant society because every day life of peasant is reflected in the folk culture, and vice-versa, folk culture itself influences the consciousness of the peasantry. The two are interpenetrative, a view held by Robert Redfield.7 Popular cultures perceived the Gadar of 1857 as an attempt of the people (described 'Balwai' in colonial records) to free their Mulk from the rule of the hated English (Firangis). The popular perception of people towards the colonisers, as Firangi connotes certain characteristics and features. By interpreting Bhojpuri, Avadhi, Bundeli and Bagheli folk cultural forms, we get some idea about what they actually meant when they described the English zsfirangis. A Firangi was perceived by the people as a person who: a. was fair-skinned (gora) b. was a Looter c. oppressed our Mulk d. who ruled over us and enjoyed the power that accrued to it. e. who corrupts our religion and caste. The folk perception saw 1857 as an attempt towards the liberation