General Awareness The Revolt of 1857
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Introduction

`color{blue} ✍` It was the first rebellion against the East India Company which took the massive form.

`color{blue} ✍` The main persons behind this rebellion were the soldiers [sepoy]. That is why it is also called sepoy Mutiny.

`color{blue} ✍` Though the revolt did not remain limited to the soldiers, later it spread and took a massive form. Some people also called this-India's first war of Independence.

`color{blue} ✍` The revolt was started on 10th May of 1857 in the town of Meerut. Though in some places, fractional clashes began before that. It ended on 20 June 1858.

`color{blue} ✍` The first martyr of 1957 revolt was Mangal Pandey. He attacked his British sergeant on 29 March 1857 at Barrackpore.

`color{blue} ✍` Some of the leaders of the rebellion were- Rani Lakshmibai (Jhansi), Kunwar Singh (Bihar), Bahadur Shah (Delhi), Nana Saheb (Kanpur), Tatia Tope (Kanpur), Begum Hazrat Mahal (Lucknow).
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Causes of the Revolt

The revolt was started due to the induction of enfield riffles in the army.

`color{blue} ✍` It was believed that the cartridges used in the riffles were made of pig fat and cow fat which were restricted for the Muslims and Hindus respectively. They protested against these.

`color{blue} ✍` Military Discrimination as Indian soldiers were paid low salaries, they could not rise above the rank of subedar and were racially insulted.

`color{blue} ✍` The Doctrine of lapse is also considered as one of the reasons for the revolt.

`color{blue} ✍` Other than that, heavy taxation, evictions, discriminatory tariff policy against Indian products and destruction of traditional
handicrafts that hit peasants, artisans and small zamindars .

`color{blue} ✍` British social reforms, be it widow remarriage, abolition of sati, education for girls, Christian missionaries.

`color{blue} ✍` Lord Canning was the governor general at that time.

Centres of Revolt

`color{blue} ✍` The main centres of revolt in these regions were the following:

`"Centres" " Leaders"`

`"Varanasi" " - Liaquat Ali"`

`"Delhi" " - Bahadur Shah II, Bakht Khan"`

`"Lucknow" " - Hazrat Mahal (Begum of Awadh)"`

`"Kanpur" " - Nana Saheb, Tantia tope, Azimullah Khan"`

`"Jhansi" " - Rani Lakshmi Bai"`

`"Bareilly" " - Khan Bhadur Khan"`

`"Awadh" " - Veer Kunwar Singh"`

Impact of the Revolt

`color{blue} ✍` East India Company's rule ended in India and the ruler ship was handed over to the Queen Victoria.

`color{blue} ✍` Reforms were introduced in the army and all the steps were taken so that no such incident occurs in the future.

`color{blue} ✍` Indians were assured of better governance.

`color{blue} ✍` It was declared that there will be no discrimination and people will have more power and respect.

`color{blue} ✍` The Doctrine of Lapse was withdrawn.

Reasons for Failure of Revolt

`color{blue} ✍` There was communication gap between the leaders of different parts of India.

`color{blue} ✍` There was no central leadership and the rebellion got limited to some parts of India only.

`color{blue} ✍` Rebels did not have enough weapons and finance where British people had advanced weapons and enough finance.

`color{blue} ✍` Lack of planning and discipline among the rebels.

Importance and Outcome of the Revolt

`color{blue} ✍` United Effort : From this revolt, we can have a picture of India's struggle for keeping the rights. There were several revolts before this, but there was no feeling of Indianness in those revolts. The revolt of 1857 A.D. was a collected effort of different sections of people.

`color{blue} ✍` Awakening of Peasants class: The peasants joined this revolt which was out and out against the British. This was unique.

`color{blue} ✍` Development of National Feeling : Dr. K. M Panikkar wrote that though the sepoys had limitations and weaknesses, but their efforts to make India free from British rule was patriotic work and a progressive step. If we do not consider any historical event on the basis of its success then the revolt of 1857 A.D. was never a tragedy. Even inspite of failure that served a great purpose, it was a source of inspiration in India's freedom struggle.

`color{blue} ✍` End of Company Rule: The political result of this great revolt was the end of company's rule in India. By a new act introduced in the British Parliament British government took the charge to rule India. From then onward a Viceroy as a representative of British King ruled India.

`color{blue} ✍` Queen's proclamation: The Queen's Proclamation showered many promises in 1858 A.D. Government service was promised irrespective of cast, religion and on the basis of merit only. Ill framed 'doctrine of lapse' of Lord Dalhousie was cancelled. New recruitment policy of the army men was announced to see that they could not organise any revolt. In the important positions of the government no native people (Indian) was given any chance.

 
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