Revolt of 1857
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Revolt of 1857
REVOLT OF 1857 - INTRODUCTION : The revolt of 1857 was one of the most significant uprisings that took place against the colonial power in the 19th century . Recognizing the significant contribution to challenging the exploitative rule if the British East India Company over the region , VD SavarkarRead more
REVOLT OF 1857 –
INTRODUCTION :
The revolt of 1857 was one of the most significant uprisings that took place against the colonial power in the 19th century . Recognizing the significant contribution to challenging the exploitative rule if the British East India Company over the region , VD Savarkar referred to it as India’s First War of Independence .
The revolt began on 10th of May,1857, when Indian soldiers were working in the East India Company rebelled at Meerut . This uprising drew its strength from several elements of discontent against British rule .
There were a plethora of political, administrative , socio-cultural , economic, religious, cultural and immediate factors which eventually culminated in this landmark event .
IMMEDIATE CAUSE :-
The immediate cause of this revolt was the introduction of the Enfield rifle y the company . The sepoys based in India believed that the cartridge of the ammunition used for the gun is greased with either cow fat or pig fat. As the cow was worshipped by Hindus and the pig was considered unclean and a sin to be consumed by Muslims. In February 1857, the 19th Native Infantry at Berhampore West Bengal which refused to use the newly imported Enfield Rifle and mutinied , was dissolve. Mangal Pandey , a sepoy in Barrackpore, refused to use the cartridge and attacked his superior officers in march 1857. On April 8 , he was executed by hanging . On may 9 , 85 soldiers in Meerut were sentenced to ten years in prison for refusing to use the new rifle. On May 10, soldiers released their imprisoned comrades , killed their officers and unfurled the banner of revolt. They set off for Delhi .
MAJOR CAUSES :
1. Political causes – Ineffective policies like subsidiary alliances and doctrine of lapse revealed the British greed of increasing its own wealth or power . The Awadh soldiers who were a major part of the Bengal army were disappointed with the falling of Awadh to the East India Company due to the reason of maladministration of 1856. With Marathas , the Britisher refused to pay pension to Nana Saheb – 2 who was the adopted son of Baji Rao – 2 . The British never maintained their promises of honoring the Mughal emperors.
2. Economic causes –
3. Socio – Religious causes –
SUPPRESSION OF THE REVOLT :
The revolt was finally suppressed. The British captured Delhi on September 20,1857 after prolonged and bitter fighting . Bahadur Shah was taken prisoner. The royal princes were captured and butchered on the spot , publicly shot at by Lieutenant Hudson. Thus, the great house of Mughals was finally and completely extinguished . One by one, all the great leaders of the revolt of 1857 fell. Lord Canning declared peace on July 8, 1858 , fourteen months after the outbreak at Meerut .
See lessMughals
Aurangzeb fought many expensive wars in Marathwada, Bijapur and Golconda. In these long-drawn battle, he incurred heavy expenses. Moreover, his religious policy disaffected the major population. In the later Mughal phase, the decline became rapid. The factors of these declines can be classified intoRead more
Aurangzeb fought many expensive wars in Marathwada, Bijapur and Golconda. In these long-drawn battle, he incurred heavy expenses. Moreover, his religious policy disaffected the major population. In the later Mughal phase, the decline became rapid. The factors of these declines can be classified into political, economic, socio-religious and military in nature.
Political causes
Economic factors
Socio-economic causes
Military causes
The later Mughal’s negligence toward upgradation of military weapons and technology led to severe damage and a disadvantaged position which ultimately resulted in their decline in front of the British East India Company.
See lessHow magazines and newspapers played a great role in changing the ideology of Indians during British Rule?
Magazines and Newspapers were most powerful weapons for Indian during British Rule as they aid in shaping & changing the ideology of Indians by creating awareness & education, promotes nationalism and Unity among Indians, provide required platform to Indian leaders to reach their message toRead more
Magazines and Newspapers were most powerful weapons for Indian during British Rule as they aid in shaping & changing the ideology of Indians by creating awareness & education, promotes nationalism and Unity among Indians, provide required platform to Indian leaders to reach their message to public, formulation of social reforms to address various issues, revival of Indian culture & tradition, and criticism of British Raj among people.
Magazines and Newpapers have major role in making India an Independent country.
See lessRevolt of 1857
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 toRead more
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
ECONOMIC CAUSES
SOCIO-RELIGIOUS CAUSES
POLITICAL CAUSES
CONSEQUENCES of the revolt of 1857
IMPORTANT LEADERS OF REVOLT OF 1857
The revolt was organised by different personalities actress the nation and some of the important leaders were:
The symbolic leadership of the revolt was Provided by Bahadur Shah Zafar but the original command was in the hands of General Bakht khan.
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.
See lessWhat were the primary factors that led to the widespread nature of the Revolt of 1857, enabling it to spread rapidly across different regions of India?
The Revolt of 1857 in India spread rapidly due to several interconnected factors. Firstly, widespread discontent against British colonial policies fueled unrest among various groups. Economic grievances, such as high taxes, land revenue systems, and the destruction of traditional livelihoods, alienaRead more
The Revolt of 1857 in India spread rapidly due to several interconnected factors. Firstly, widespread discontent against British colonial policies fueled unrest among various groups. Economic grievances, such as high taxes, land revenue systems, and the destruction of traditional livelihoods, alienated peasants and landlords alike. Secondly, the introduction of the Enfield rifle and the associated rumors about the use of animal fat in its cartridges offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, igniting military discontent. This was compounded by a general perception of cultural insensitivity and the threat posed by British attempts to impose Western values and Christianity. Additionally, local leaders and regional elites saw the revolt as an opportunity to reclaim lost power and influence, fostering unity among diverse groups. The presence of influential figures, like Bahadur Shah II and Rani Lakshmibai, galvanized support across different social strata. Finally, the underlying societal fractures, including caste and communal tensions, played a role, but the shared resentment against British rule helped transcend these divisions, enabling the revolt to spread rapidly throughout northern and central India.
See lessRevolt of 1857
The Revolt of 1875, often referred to as the First War of Indian Independence, was a significant uprising against British colonial rule in India. It marked a turning point in the history of British India, signaling widespread discontent among various sections of Indian society. The nature of the revRead more
The Revolt of 1875, often referred to as the First War of Indian Independence, was a significant uprising against British colonial rule in India. It marked a turning point in the history of British India, signaling widespread discontent among various sections of Indian society.
The nature of the revolt was multifaceted, involving soldiers (sepoys), peasants, and rulers across different regions. It began as a mutiny by Indian soldiers in the British East India Company’s army and soon escalated into a broader rebellion. Key reasons included the introduction of the new Enfield rifle, which required sepoys to bite cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments. Additionally, economic exploitation, heavy taxation, and land annexation policies (like the Doctrine of Lapse) exacerbated the grievances.
The significance of the revolt lies in its impact on both the British and Indian sides. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, it led to significant changes in British policies. The British Crown took direct control of India, ending the rule of the East India Company in 1858. The administrative and military reorganization aimed to prevent such uprisings in the future, and efforts were made to integrate Indian elites into the administration. The revolt also sowed the seeds of Indian nationalism, inspiring future generations to seek independence from colonial rule.
See lessWhat were the important changes in the system of administration and the policy of government in the aftermath of revolt of 1857? What was the impact of these changes on Indian society?
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to significant changes in the system of administration and policy of government, which had a profound impact on Indian society. Some of the key changes were: Administrative Reforms: Indian Civil Service (ICS) reforms: The British government decided to separate the InRead more
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to significant changes in the system of administration and policy of government, which had a profound impact on Indian society. Some of the key changes were:
Administrative Reforms:
Policy Changes:
Impact on Indian Society:
- Westernization: The reforms led to increased Westernization of Indian society, with the introduction of Western education, clothing, and social norms.
- Elite formation: The new administrative system created a new class of Indian elites who were educated in English and aligned themselves with British rule.
- Rise of nationalism: The rebellion sparked a sense of nationalism among Indians, leading to the growth of movements advocating for self-rule or independence.
- Socio-economic changes: The economic policies had significant impacts on Indian agriculture, industry, and trade, leading to increased poverty and inequality in some regions.
- Urban-rural divide: The growth of cities and urban centers led to an increase in urban-rural disparities, with urban areas experiencing more modernization and development than rural areas.
See less''The so-called First National War of Independence of 1857 is neither first, nor national, nor a war of independence.'' Comment.
The "First National War of Independence of 1857" refers to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, which was a widespread rebellion against British rule in India. However, the phrase "First National War of Independence" is a subject of controversy among historians. Arguments agRead more
The “First National War of Independence of 1857” refers to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, which was a widespread rebellion against British rule in India. However, the phrase “First National War of Independence” is a subject of controversy among historians.
Arguments against the term “First National War of Independence”:
Arguments for the term “First National War of Independence”:
- Symbolic significance: The rebellion marked the beginning of a new era in Indian resistance against colonial rule, inspiring future generations to fight for independence.
- Broader implications: Although the rebellion did not achieve immediate independence, it contributed to the decline of British authority and paved the way for later movements, such as the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Inspiration for future struggles: The 1857 rebellion inspired later movements, including the non-cooperation movement (1920-1922) and the Quit India Movement (1942-1944), which ultimately led to India’s independence in 1947.
See lessDespite the fact that the revolt of 1857 failed, it gave a severe jolt to the British administration in India. The structure and policies of the British were re-established and drastically changed. Explain.
The revolt of 1857 was a major anti colonial movement and uprising against the British in India. The revolt was started when East India Company's Indian soldiers rebelled against them in Meerut. Although the East India company managed to successfully suppress the revolt, it dealt a major blow to theRead more
The revolt of 1857 was a major anti colonial movement and uprising against the British in India. The revolt was started when East India Company’s Indian soldiers rebelled against them in Meerut. Although the East India company managed to successfully suppress the revolt, it dealt a major blow to the British administration in India. It lead to widespread changes in the structure and policies of the British.
TRANFER OF POWER
The Government of India Act was passed in 1858, which transferred the power to govern India from the East India Company to the British Crown.
The authority of governing India was transferred from the Directors of the company to a Secretary of State for India who would be aided by a council.
CHANGES IN MILITARY
The proportion of European soldiers to Indian soldiers was increased drastically. Also important military positions artillery and weapons was placed in European hands.
DECENTRALISATION
The Act of 1861 established that legislative councils similar to that in the Centre be established first in the three major presidencies – Bombay, Madras and Bengal followed by other provinces.
Local government was also promoted through municipalities. This was done to avoid recurrent financial difficulties.
PRINCELY STATES
The Doctrine of Lapse was abandoned and rulers of the princely states were allowed to adopt their heirs.
This was done to reward the rulers who had stayed loyal to the British Empire even during the revolt.
CONCLUSION
Although the revolt of 1857 failed to achieve its objectives, it led to significant changes and ignited a fire of nationalism and unity among Indians which would inspire future Indian Independence struggles.
See lessDiscuss how the Doctrine of Lapse disrupted the existing power hierarchies within native states, and how it acted as a catalyst in mobilizing mass participation in the Revolt of 1857.
The Doctrine of Lapse was a controversial colonial policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848, which allowed the British East India Company to annex any princely state in India if the ruler died without a male heir or was deemed incompetent. By the use of the doctrine of lapse, the Company took oveRead more
The Doctrine of Lapse was a controversial colonial policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848, which allowed the British East India Company to annex any princely state in India if the ruler died without a male heir or was deemed incompetent. By the use of the doctrine of lapse, the Company took over the princely states of Satara (1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850)This policy not only disrupted existing power hierarchies within native states but also acted as a catalyst for mass participation in the Revolt of 1857.
Doctrine of Lapse Disrupted the Existing Power Hierarchies Within Native States in the following ways
Ways in which the Doctrine of Lapse Acted as a Catalyst in Mobilizing Mass Participation in the Revolt of 1857
The Doctrine of Lapse disrupted the existing power structures within the native states, leading to widespread discontent and disenfranchisement. The policy also fueled the fires of the Revolt of 1857, acting as a focal point that unified various classes and communities against British rule that eventually contributed to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India.
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