The Revolt of 1857

The Indian Rebellion of 1857

India’s First War of Independence
The Great Rebellion
The Indian Mutiny
The Uprising of 1857
The Sepoy Mutiny
The Sepoy Rebellion
 A Little Background…
 The British East India Company had trading rights in
India beginning in the early 1600s
 Power of the Mughal empire declined, power of East
India Company increased
 EIC controlled majority of India by mid-1800s
 British exploited diversity of Indian people to increase
power
 Different traditions, dozens of languages, Hindus, Muslims,
caste system
 (A) Political Causes
The English East India company got strongly implanted in the Sub-
Continent after its historic victory over Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of
Plassey fought in 1757. Soon after wards in 1764 the British recorded
another important triumph in the Battle of Buxar. They annexed many
states.
1. Doctrine of Lapse
Lord Dalhousie applied Doctrine of Lapse for the expansion of the British
Empire. According to this doctrine the rulers of the states were not allowed
to adopt sons. As a result their states were annexed when they died.
2. Annoyance of Rules of States
Lord Dalhousie left no stone unturned for the expansion of the English
territory. He annexed states on the grounds of Doctrine of Lapse and
misgovernment. As such the rulers of the affected states like Sindh,
Punjab, Jhansi and Oudh became sworn enemies of the Company.
3. Confiscation of Estates
It was a convention of the past rulers that the nobles were granted large
estates. The British Government reversed this policy and confiscated
(B) Economic Causes of War
The new agrarian policy of the British, destruction of local industry,
permanent settlements, large scale unemployment, monopoly of trade
by the English and the Stamp Act were some important economic
causes of the war.
1. New Agrarian Policy
In the agrarian the Zamindars were asked to provide documentary
proof of their holdings. They were deprived of their lands when they
failed to furnish documentary proof of their ancestral estates. In
addition the rate of taxes on the lands was increased. This class was in
the front rank when he war of Independence broke out in 1857.
2. Destruction of Local Industry
As a result of the Industrial revolution of England cheaper and
superior goods flowed into the markets of the Sub-Continent. The
local industry could not compete with the imported stuff. As a result
the local industry suffered badly. This resulted in frustration among
the lower classes.
3. Permanent Settlement
The after effects of the permanent settlement of land were very
disastrous for the land owners. They had to deposit regularly a fixed
amount which was not always possible. The defaulters were very
often degraded.
4. Unemployment
The British did not trust the Indians. As a result they were not
appointed on important jobs. This policy resulted in unemployment
for the educated classes.
5. Domination of Trade by the English
The British enacted such tows which facilitated their trade in India.
Many sea ports were declared free ports and custom duty on
imported goods was wiredrawn. These steps mined the local
industry.
6. Court Fee Stamps
The English Government declared court fee compulsory to be paid in
the form of court stamps. Thus the people were denied the right of
 (C). Religious Causes
1. Propagation of Christianity
Although at the outset the English had shown respect towards all religions
yet with the passage of time they changed their mind and devised ways
and means for the propagation of Christianity in India.
2. Introduction of New Inventions
In the first half of the 19th century the British introduced in India many
inventions like railway, post and telegraph. Moreover they made English
as medium of education. These inventions made the Indians suspicious of
the intentions of the British.
3. Jihad Movement
Syed Ahmed Shaheed launched die Jihad Movement in the second decade
of the 19th century. It was a sort of large scale effort by the Muslims to
take freedom from foreign rule. The Jihad Movement though failed to
achieve immediate aims yet it succeeded in Kindling a flame of freedom.
4. Anti-Religion Laws
The British Government enacted many laws which were contradictory to
the fundamentals of various religions of India.
(D). Social Causes
1. Mockery of Cultural Heritage
The British were afraid of the Indian cultural heritage which was very
rich in all aspects. The English wanted to prove their culture as
superior to others. Thus they adopted a policy of ridiculing the Indian
culture. This attitude greatly agitated Hindu and Muslim religious
feelings.
2. Insulting treatment with the People
A hundred year rule over the Sub-Continent had given the English an
air of superiority. They considered themselves a super creation and
often resorted to insulting attitude towards the people of the Sub-
Continent.
(E). Military Causes
1. Disbanded armies of annexed states
The British disbanded the armies of the annexed states. This action left
thousands of the local soldiers unemployed.
2. Shortage of English Troops
It is estimated that before the start of the war of Independence there
were 3,11,000 native troops as against 40,000 European troops. This
ratio tilted the balance in favor of the natives. As a result they were
encouraged to launch the war of Independence.
3. Greased Cartridge
The use of greased cartridge proved as the immediate cause of the
war of Independence. It was supposed that the cartridges were greased
with the fat of the cow or pig. This situation agitated the religious
feelings of both the Muslims and Hindu Soldiers.
 Events of the War
The first incident of the war took place on 26th February 1857 when
the native soldiers of the 19th Native infantry at Behrampur refused
to used the greased cartridges. Then 29th March 1857, Mangal Panda
a native soldier of the 34th native infantry fired at his British officers.
His fellows did not join him. As a result he was hanged. However, all
the 34th native infantry was disbanded on 6th May 1857. Thus the war
was triggered on and the flames of war soon spread to all puts of the
country.
 Sepoy Rebellion

The British Enfield Rifle.

Overview of the war
The Indian fight for independence against Company rule in India began
as a mutiny by sepoys of the British East India Company army on 10
May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into an
insurgency largely confined to the upper Gangetic plain and central
India, with the major hostilities confined to present-day Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar, northern Madhya Pradesh, and the Delhi region. The war posed a
considerable threat to Company power in that region, and the insurgence
was contained only with the fall of Gwalior on 20 June 1858. Other
regions of Company-controlled India — such as Bengal, the Bombay
Presidency, and the Madras Presidency — remained largely calm. In
Punjab, the Sikh princes backed the Company by providing both
soldiers and support. The large princely states of Hyderabad, Mysore,
Travancore, and Kashmir, as well as the smaller ones of Rajputana, did
not join the insurgents. In some regions, such as Oudh, the war took on
the attributes of a patriotic revolt against European presence.
 OUTCOME
The revolt was completely suppressed and
crushed by July 1858.
 CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE
REVOLT
The revolt was localized and was poorly organized.
The British had better resources than the rebels.
The revolt was feudal in character.
The leaders lacked military skills.
The native princes did not join the revolt.
 Consequences of the War
1. After the war the number of Europeans soldiers was
increased in India. A ratio of one and two was maintained
with the native soldiers.
2. One ugly effect of the war of Independence was that the
Muslims were subjected to oppression by the English. The
British thought that the Muslims were responsible for the
war or Independence. Accordingly the hand of repression
fell more heavily on the Muslims than on the Hindus. Many
of the leading Muslims were hanged.
3. The failure of the war greatly encouraged the Christian
missionaries to resume the propagation of their religion.
 RESULTS OF THE REVOLT
 Though the Great Revolt failed to achieve its aim, it
certainly produced far reaching results. It put an end to the
Company's rule in India. Administration of India was directly
taken over by the British Crown. By a special Act, both the Board
of Control and the Board of Directors were abolished and the
office of the Secretary of State for India was created with an
Indian Council of 15 members to assist the Governor-General and
Viceroy of India. The title of ‘Viceroy’ was added to the centre of
the Governor-General of India for the first time in 1858 A.D . The
Indian army was thoroughly reorganized. The policy of ruthless
conquests in India was given up and the Indian princes were given
the assurance that their States would not be annexed. The right of
adoption was also given to them. Full religious freedom was
guaranteed to Indians. Indians were also given the assurance that
high posts would be given to them without any discrimination.
 THE QUEEN'S PROCLAMATION, 1858

The Queen's Proclamation is described as the "Magna Carta"

of the people. It confirmed the earlier treaties of the East
India Company with the Indian Princes; promised to pay due
regard to the ancient rites and customs of India and granted
general pardon to all offenders except those who had
directly taken part in the murder of the British subjects.
Outbreak of 1857 Revolt
 Outbreak :
 On Mar 29, 1857, a soldier named Mangal Pandey attacked and
fired at his senior at Barrackpur in Bengal (in 19th and 34th Native
infantry).
 On May 10, there was a mutiny of sepoy at Meerut (3rd native
cavalry).
 Mutiny spread throughout UP along with some other parts of the
country.
 ‘Mar to Delhi’ became the battle cry of the rebels. At Delhi , the
Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed the Emperor of
India.
 Where the rulers were loyal to the British, the soldiers revolted as in
Gwalior and Indore. In some places, the people revolted before the
sepoys did.
 In the beginning, the rebels were successful. Europeans were killed,
law courts and police stations were attacked and revenue records
were destroyed. But reverses soon began to occur.
 Important Persons :
 Rani Lakshmibai, the widowed queen of Raja Gangadhar Rao of
Jhansi (Tantia Tope joined her and they defeated the Scindia of
Gwalior, but both were defeated by Sir Hugh Rose. She died on Jun
17, 1858, while Tantia was later captured and executed).
 Bahadursha II and General Bakht Khan (captured Delhi , was from
the Barreily unit of the army).
 Nana Sahib alias Dhondhu Pant was the son of Baji Rao II (from
Kanpur, along with Tantia Tope and Azimullah)
 Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh (declared her son as the Nawab of
Awadh).
Hazaeat Mahal and Ahmadullah led the revolt in Lucknow

 Kunwar Singh and Amar Singh (Bihar ).

 Maulavi Ahmedullah (First Awadh and then Rohilkhand).
 Devi Singh of Mathura.
 Kadam Singh of Meerut.
Rani Lakshmi Bai :

Rani Lakshmi Bai, the queen of Jhansi, represents a

symbol of resistance to British rule in India.
Affectionately called Manu, she was married to Raja
Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi in 1842. She gave
birth to a son in 1851, but this child died when he was
about four months old. In 1853, the couple was forced to
adopt a child as Gangadhar Rao fell very ill and died.
Lord Dalhousie tried to annex Jhansi under the Doctrine
of Lapse. But Rani was determined to defend Jhansi. She
fought valiantly and was even able to acquire Gwalior
from the Sindhia rulers, who were British allies. But
eventually, the Rani reached her martyrdom at Kalpi, near
Jhansi. Because of her unprecedented bravery, courage
and wisdom, and her progressive views on womens
empowerment, and due to her sacrifices, she became
an icon of Indian nationalist movement.
 Suppression:

a) Delhi : By John Nicholson and Hudson

b) Kanpur : By Campbell, Havelock
c) Lucknow : By Havelock, Outram, James Neill and
Campbell
d) Jhansi : Hugh Rose
e) Banaras : James Neill
f) The revolt was completely suppressed by the end of
1858.
 Fate of the Leaders of Revolt of 1857 in India :
 Bahadur Shah II : Deported to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.
His sons were shot dead.
 Nana Sahib and Begum Hazrat Mahal : Escaped to Nepal.
 Rani Jhansi : Died in the battle field.
 Tantia Tope : Was captured and executed in 1859.
Causes of Failure of 1857 Revolt :
 Scindia of Gwalior, the Holkar of Indore, the Nizam of
Hyderabad, the Raja of Jodhpur, the Nawab of Bhopal, the rulers
of Patiala, Sindh and Kashmir and the Rana of Nepal provided
active support to the British.
 Comparative lack of efficient Leaders.
 The modern intelligent Indians also did not support the cause.
 Lack of unity and cohesion
 The rising was not widespread
 No common aims and ideals
 Lack of discipline, resources and organization
 Reasons for the failure of the Revolt of 1857
(a) Could not embrace entire country
(b) Not all sections of the society participated
(c) Some of the rulers supported the British
(d) Lack of common plan of military action
(e) Lack of centralised leadership
(f) Short of modern weapons amongst the rebels
(g) Lack of co-ordination amongst the rebels
CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVOLT

 End of East India Company rule

 Queen Victorias proclamation
 End of Mughal & Peshwas
 Reorganization in army
 Rise of nationalism
Factors responsible for the growth of Indian Nationalism

 Development of Means of Communication and Transport

 Impact of Western Education
 Economic Exploitation of India
 Socio-Religious Reform Movements
 Emergence of Modern Press and Nationalist Literature
 Racial arrogance of the British
 Denial of Higher Jobs to deserving Indians
 Revival of the Glory of India
 Impact of contemporary European Movements
 Reactionary Regime of Lytton and the llbert Bill
Controversy
 Indian National Congress
 Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress was founded in the year 1885. The
first session of Congress was presided over by Womesh Chandra
Banerjee who was also elected as the first president of Indian
National Congress party. Around seventy reputed delegates that
included educationalists, lawyers, journalists etc. attended the first
session of the congress when it was established. The Indian
national congress was considered to be a royal party when it was
established. Read on about the history of Indian National
Congress.

The Indian National Congress had the following aims and

objectives when it was established:
 Inculcate a feeling of national unity and try to eradicate the notion
of race, cre4ed and provincial prejudices.
 Seek the co-operation of all the Indians in its efforts and allow
them to take part in the administrative affairs of the country.
 Causes of Rebellion
Missionaries tried to convert Indians to Christianity
British wanted to:
End slavery and the caste system
Give rights to women, etc.
British began to outlaw Hindu and Muslim traditions and pass
laws Indians felt went against their beliefs
Hindu sati custom banned
Hindu women allowed to remarry
Hindus forced to serve both in India and overseas
 The Final Straw
British issued sepoy soldiers new guns in 1857
Cartridge tips needed to be bitten off before being
loaded
Cartridges were greased with animal fat
Cows are sacred to Hindus
Pigs are forbidden to Muslims
Sepoys who refused order to load their rifles were sent
home without pay or imprisoned
Sepoys rebelled against British officers
Massacred troops, women, children
British soon crushed rebellion and took awful revenge
Villages burned
Thousands of unarmed Indians slaughtered