Revolt of 1857

Revolt of 1857

Historians refer to it as First war of independence

Political causes

Many Indian rulers came to a sense of resentment, fear and suspicion towards the British’s intentions and actions

Doctrine of Lapse

Annexation of the states Jhansi, Satara and Nagpur under this policy angered many Indian rulers

Annexation of Awadh

Under the terms of misgovernment when Awadh was annexed, it created immense resentment amongst many Indian locals

Disrespect towards Mughal ruler

Badur Shah, was heavily disrespected which angered many people

Indian discrimination

The discrimination in job employment faced by Indians also caused a lot of resentment as the educated Indians had hoped to be employed well in the govt

Economic causes

Primary motive: economic exploitation

British used their power to exploit India for its economic value and wealth which caused widespread discontentment

Impact on Indians

• Trade interests caused destruction of Indian cottage industries

• Revenue policy destroyed the local village economy with their agriculture commercialization

Indian occupation impact

• Weavers, artisans and craftsmen were forced to work in favor of the company and got very little back

• Machinery replaced Indian workers leaving them unemployed

• Demand on agriculture affected general condition of peasants

Social and religious causes

• Indians feared that British would come and convert all of them into Christianity

• The British passed various laws and changed many customs

• They overall looked down on Indians growing the Indian’s distrust

abolishment of sati and other laws

• sati - female infanticide

• Encouragement for widow remarriage

Military cause

• Bengal army - containing mostly Awadh sepoys

• Army felt very indignant while annexing Awadh

Sikhs and Muslims

Soldiers who were told that they don’t need to remove their beard/hat were later forced to do so

General order

• Terms include - All soldiers must take an oath to serve Britain at all times

• Indian disagreement - Goes against the caste to travel via sea

• Soldiers shared British intent on destroying religion

Indian army discrimination

• Paid lesser

• No bhatta (allowance)/extra money was provided

• No honor for their service

Immediate cause

Introduction of enfield rifle

Enfield rifle grease paper

• Sepoys were supposed to bite the paper before loading the gun

• Paper was rumored to have cow/pig fat

• This went against religious customs for both Hindus and Muslims

Start of revolt

When protests weren’t working the sepoys started the revolt

Regiment 19 of Barrackpur

Refused to use their cartridges and their leaders were punished and the segement was disbanded

Mangal Pandey of 34th regiment

• Fired at his sergeant major

• Revolt against British for his caste and religion

• Active comrade and himself were captured, tried and executed

Meerut

• 85 soldiers in cavalry regiment refused

• cruelly punished with 10 years of horrible imprisonment and public humiliation

In Kanpur

• Nana Sahib (the adopted son of the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II) led the revolt.

In Jhansi

• Rani Lakshmibai led the forces against the British, becoming a symbol of resistance.

In Lucknow

• Begum Hazrat Mahal played a crucial role in leading the revolt.

Suppression

• Led by Lord canning

• Collected forces

• Sent Sikh army to Delhi where rebels had already lost

Bahadur Shah

• 2 sons died

• Got deported to Rangoon and later died

Rani Lakshmi Bai

• Joined forces with Tantia Tope

• Tantia Tope - Managed army in Gwalior

• Got executed by Sir Hugh Rose

Other rulers

• Khan Bahadur Khan was suppressed

• Nana Saheb and Begum Hazrat are believed to have fled to Nepal and die later

Failure of Revolt

Originally the Indian sepoys and force was much larger in size and had the British in a tough spot

Lack of central command

The revolt lacked a unified command and coordination, with leaders operating independently.

Limited territory scope

The revolt was largely confined to northern and central India. Southern and western parts of India, and states like Hyderabad and Kashmir, remained loyal to the British.

Military inferiority

The British had superior weapons, better training, and reinforcements from Britain.

Lack of support

Most of the Indian rulers supported the Britsh, most out of fear

Changes after the revolt

EIC end

Changes made by Queeb Victoria

• Board of control - abolished

• Secretary of state for India with council members - Introduced

• Army reorganization

• Territorial annexation policy ended

• Passed the Govt of Indian Act of 1858