British Empire

Causes of The Indian Mutiny

. Growing discontent among Indian Soldiers due to:

. Violation of local customs increasing their resentment

. Dissatisfaction over cartridges filled with animal casings used in new Enfield rifle

. Poor treatment and low pay

. Hostility over spread of Christianity and Western reform

. Doctrine of Lapse 1848-58, stated if ruler of princely state died without heir, Brit would annex state

The Spark

.Introduction of greased cartridges rumoured to be greased with pork and animal fat

.Combined with existing concerns about forced conversions to Christianity

.March 29th 1857 Sepoy Mangal Pandey wounds Brit soldiers in mutiny, attempted to get others to join, fellow sepoys reluctant to act against him, shoots himself in chest once he realises he'll be arrested,not fatal so arrested by officials, hanged.

. May 1857 85 soldiers in Meerut imprisoned refusing to use cartridges, fellow soldiers rebelled to free them, sparked mutiny

Events

. May 1857: Mutiny began at Meerut, 85 soldiers refused to use new cartridges so sentenced to jail, entire sepoy army at Meerut mutinied killing all Brit officers as a result.

. Mutiny spread quickly: Delhi, Oudh, Cawnpore, Lucknow.

. Brits short on soldiers only 35k there, long way to call for reinforcements.

. However, majority of Princes remained loyal & sepoys forces too in Bengal, Bombay

.At Delhi mutineers received reluctant support Emperor of Hindustan, likely were looking to turn clock back with Mughal Empire. Big Blow to Brits as Delhi strategically important

.Took 3 months for Brits to restore order in Delhi

.Cawnpore - 1000 Brit women, men, kids were starved into submission, sepoys refused to surrender, Brit women and kids slaughtered, Brits soon crushed revolt

. Punishments brutal for both sides, Brits executed mutineers by strapping them to canon.

. 25 March 1858: Battle of Jhansi between Brits and rebels, Brits began besieging city, breaching walls on 30th M, then stormed Jhansi on April 3 1858

.1st Sep 1858: Transfer of administration to Brit Crown.

Scale And Scope of Indian Mutiny: Geographical

. Not a national rebellion, majority loyal to Brit rulers

. Real focus of Mutiny, North-Central of India: North West Providences & Oudh - 1/6th of India, 1/10th of pop.

. Punjab (NW) & Bengal (NE) outbreaks but Brit held on with difficulty.

. South - little trouble, Madras quiet, Bombay two small outbreaks & Muslim conspiracy but dealt with ease

Social Scope

.Was not a united vision of future India just common hatred of Brits due to policies that seized their lands, humiliated their rulers and impoverished the people with taxes.

.Who revolted? : Sepoys, Urban Workers, Peasants & Landowners.

Failure of Mutiny

Brit advantage:

.Technology: e.g., electric telegraph helped Brit generals keep track of of Indian movements & maritime technology enabled movement of military resources with troops moved to garrisons at Calcutta from Singapore by sea.

.Native Allies: Madras totally loyal, Bombay largely loyal (not Calcutta), Support from Princes

.Leadership & Common Goal

Indian Weaknesses

.Lack of Unity & Planning: rebels not a cohesive force, diff groups had diff agendas. Uprising weren't planned nor coordinated

.Majority of Indian did not rise up.

.Lack of Leadership: Aims of leaders diff, some negotiated with Brits for safety other remianed loyal. No coordination around common goal. Revolts scattered easier for Brits to deal with.

Impact

Administration:

1858: India passed into direct rule of the crown with EIC rule ending.

Earl of Canning: from Genreal to Viceroy (same post)

Responsible for fiances, law, military etc.

Running of Raj done by civil service of 1k

40% of Princely State retained by native rulers with 'agent' installed in each to oversee affairs behalf of Raj

.DOL dropped

.Showed the creation of a new colonial state, where empire would intervene less, become more seperated but also policied allowing Brit to surveil & control