The First War of Independence,

1857
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 INTRODUCTION
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 The war of Independence of 1857, was the last attempt to

remove the British from the sub-continent by force.
 This attempt failed but events during 1857 affected the fortune
of all the three communities i.e., Muslims, Hindus and British.

 Although both the Hindus and Muslims participated and

suffered but the Muslims were singled out for punishment,
because of the misconceptions.

 Muslims were bitter because they had lost power to the

British, while the Hindus were lukewarm because they had
only suffered a change of masters.
 Causes of the First War of Independence , 1857
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 There were many causes of the War of Independence of 1857. They can
be divided into political, religious, military, economic and social causes.
Political Causes;
 The East India Company was aiming to annex all the states of India like
Avadh, Tanjore, Jhansi, etc. That’s why they introduced systems like
Doctrine of Lapse by which Indian states could be taken over by the
Company in case there was no male successor to the throne of the state.
This provoked the rulers like Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa
and Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi.
 The Company also declared that after the death of the Mughal emperor,
Bahadur Shah Zafar, his family had to move out of the Red Fort and his
successors were also forbidden to use the title of emperor.
 Religious Causes
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 The people of India at that time were highly concerned about their
religion and religious rites. For them, the most sacred thing was
their faith. But when they realized that the Company was
promoting Christianity in their land, they became furious.
 The introduction of some social laws added fuel to fire. For
instance, the English government banned Satti (Hindu practice
of burning the widow along with the dead body of her husband)
and allowed the widows to remarry. Such legislations badly hurt
the feelings of Hindus.
 In the military setup they introduced some regulations that
injured religious sentiments of the Indians. For example, under
the military rules the Indian soldiers were forbidden to have
beards or wear Turbans or put Tilaks on their foreheads. These
regulations made Indians realize that their faiths were in danger.
 Conti…,
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 In addition to these reasons there was an immediate cause

that forced the Indians to go for war.
 A new Enfield rifle was introduced in the early period of
1857, the cartridges were covered with some animal fat
that was supposed to be either of cow or a pig. Before
using these cartridges, they were to be cut by teeth.
 Since the cows were sacred for the Hindus and pigs were
haram for the Muslims both refused to carry such rifles.
 But their English officers used force that offended the
Hindus and Muslims alike and thus all these causes
instigated the war in India to which we call the War of
Independence 1857.
 Economic Causes
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During the rule of the Mughals, not only the Muslims but
also the Hindus would be appointed on all important
positions but by the English the Muslims and the Hindus
both were deemed as untrustworthy and consequently all
the higher posts were held by the White men.
The natives were either turned jobless or appointed on
lower levels of the state departments. The East India
Company that was eager to collect wealth out of the trade
considered India no more than a field of producing raw
materials for the industries of England.
The subsidiary system with additional taxes even on
uncultivated lands added fuel to the fire and economically
devastated the common Indians.
 Causes of Failure
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The revolutionaries had not been able to plan their

uprising.
Their means of communication were not safe and
reliable, being secret were also not very effective.
The Sikhs and Marathas with whom British had
fought wars, sided with the British in attacking the
rebels.
The problem of lack of manpower that was the
weakness of British, was solved by Sikhs and Marathas
and soldiers of Nawab of Deccan who also came to
rescue the British.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
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 End of the East India Company’s rule:

Crown took over the charge from Company

Secretary of State for India was appointed who reported to British
Parliament.
 Queen Victoria’s Proclamation: 1 Nov 1858 at Allahabad
the transfer of governance was done. Lord Canning became the first
Viceroy of India. He promised not to intervene in social and religious
matters, would bring equality, pardon soldiers, best for Indian
industries etc.
 End of Mughals and Peshwas: Bahadur Shah II went to
Rangoon in Burma and Nana Sahib went to Nepal. Two rivals of British
came to an end.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
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Policy of Divide & Rule: After 1858, British started

Divide and Rule Policy. Caste against Caste, Princes
against people and Hindus against Muslims. British
sowed seeds of hatred among Hindus & Muslims.
Racial Antagonism: British believed that they were
superior and maintained distance from Indians.
Railways, Parks, Hotels etc had seats “Reserved for
Europeans Only’
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
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 Increased Racial Bitterness: British believed that

Indian aren’t trustworthy and remodeled the structure of
Indian government based on the idea of a superior race.

 Foreign Policy: Indian foreign policy was decided by

British with two aims:
a) protection of its Indian empire and
b) expansion of British economic & commercial
interests.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
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Changes in Army:
 To avoid another uprising Indian army was reorganised
after 1858 in following manner:
1. No. of Indian troops was decreased, and No. of European
troops was increased.
2. European troops were kept in key locations.
3. Policy of excluding Indians from officer positions was
strictly followed.
4. Weapons were never placed under the charge of Indians.
5. Soldiers weren’t allowed to read newspapers & journals.
 CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
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Economic Exploitation:
i. India became a colony to export raw material and
import finished goods.
ii. Salaries of soldiers, military officers, Council
members were taken from India’s resources.
iii. Peasants were poor during British rule.
iv. Indian cottage industries and handicrafts
distorted.
v. Indians had to pay heavy taxes, revenues and
dividend to British.