Modern India

The revolt of 1857 was a landmark event in the history of India. It marked the end of an old era and the beginning of a new era. It was an outcome of more than 100 years of popular and fierce resistance against the British Authority.It nearly swept away British rule from India.Many causes led to the revolt of 1857 some of which are:

MILITARY CAUSES

1. The new Enfield Rifle was introduced for its longer range and greater accuracy but in the new gun the paper which was to be bitten off from the cartridge before loading was alleged to be coated with cow and pig fat due to which Indian sepoys  refused to use it for which they  were punished.
2. On a professional level, Indian sepoys were paid less salary than the European sepoys.Moreover, the indian sepoys were racially discriminated. 

ECONOMIC CAUSES

1. British traders enjoyed many privileges, they were exempted from paying many taxes on goods but the Indian traders had to pay taxes on goods which made british goods cheaper and popular. 
2. Under all the land revenue systems the  peasants were taxed heavily  which forced the them to take loans at exorbitant interest rates which weakened them economically.

SOCIO-RELIGIOUS CAUSES 

1. The British policies tried to bring some degree of social reform. But the way they tried to impose the reform was not liked by the old orthodox order.
2. People did not accept any change which was imposed externally by an alien power.  
3. The proselytizing activities of Christian Missionaries were sorely resented by the Indians.
4. Enfield Rifle Episode further fuelled the fire.

POLITICAL CAUSES

1. Implementation of Doctrine of Lapse was in disharmony with the old hindu tradition of adoption from the extended family in case of absence of a natural heir of the ruler. Dalhousie  maintained that the recognition of these adoptions is at the will of the British authority.

1. In almost all the cases the immediate adoption of Hindu rulers was not accepted by British authority and their territory was annexed.Which led to anger among Indian rulers.

CONSEQUENCES of the revolt of 1857

1. The revolt of 1857 caused the transfer of power and the British crown took over as the ruler and the rule of The East India Company ended.
2. The revolt of 1857 created a sense of fear among the british officials and they restructured the military by drastically reducing the number of indians in the army.
3. After witnessing the unity among the hindu and muslims during the revolt the british now adopted the policy of divide and rule
4. The policy was annexation ended from the side of british as they needed the support of Indian ruler for establishing a powerful rule in India.

IMPORTANT LEADERS OF REVOLT OF 1857

The revolt was organised by different personalities actress the nation and some of the important leaders were:

1.  Bahadur Shah Zafar And Bakht Khan–

The symbolic leadership of the revolt was Provided by Bahadur Shah Zafar but the original command was in the hands of General Bakht khan.

1. Nana Saheb/ Bithoor Raja

The mutiny from Kanpur was led by Nana saheb who was the adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II.

      2. Begum Hazrat Mahal organised the revolt from lucknow

      3.The revolt in Faizabad was organized by Maulvi Ahmedullah

      4.Kunwar Singh the Zamindar of Jagdishpur organized the revolt from Bihar. He              was an old man in his seventies.

       5.The Most Outstanding leader Of the revolt was Rani Laxmail Bai of Jhansi.