The Great Revolt of 1857- Causes and Consequences

<–2/”>a >The Great Revolt of 1857 (also Indian rebellion of 1857, the Great uprising of 1857, the Great rebellion, Indian Sepoy mutiny) is regarded as India’s First War of Independence against the British rule. It was the most remarkable single event in the history of India after the establishment of British rule. It was the result of the century-old British rule in India. In comparison to the previous uprisings of the Indians, the Great Revolt Of 1857 was of a greater dimension and it assumed almost an all-India character with participation of people from different sections of the Society. This Revolt was initiated by the sepoys of the company. So it has been commonly termed as `Sepoy Mutiny‘. But it was not simply a revolt of the sepoys.

Causes

The causes of the Great Revolt of 1857 and Sepoy Mutiny may be studied in the following heads:

Political cause: Major political cause for the outbreak of the Revolt was the policy of annexation followed by Dalhousie. On application of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ or on the ground of mis-governance he annexed states after states deploring their rulers. Satara, Jhansi, Sambalpur, Nagpur, etc. fill victim in his aggressive policy. All these states came under British rule. In 1856, he captured Oudh on the plea of misrule. He looked the palaces of Nagpur and Oudh. Not only the ruling house, but also the employees and other dependent families were deprived of their livings for the policy of Dalhousie. His maltreatment towards the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah-II hurt the sentiment of the Muslim community. Discontinuation of the pension of the Peshwa Nana Sahib shocked the Marathas. This discontent of royal families, army men and common people jointly exposed in the Great Revolt of 1857.

Economic cause: The Great Revolt of 1857 was also an outburst of grievances due to the economic exploitation of the company. India’s traditional economy collapsed as a result of the British ‘Investment’ policies and revenue administration. The company’s Trade Policy destroyed Indian Handicrafts. Huge numbers of Indians were thrown out of EMPLOYMENT. The British, opened a new avenue of exploitation on the peasants By introducing permanent settlement. Exploitation of the Zamindars gave rise 10 landless laborers who became restless by and by. Thus out of discontent the artisans and peasantry joined hands with the sepoys in the mutiny.

Military cause: The sepoys of the company regiment had been feeling dissatisfied with the English for various reasons.

Thus was a great disparity in salaries between the Indian and European soldiers.
The Indian sepoys were treated with contempt by their European officers.
The sepoys were sent to distant parts of the empire, but were not paid any extra allowance.
Indian sepoys were refused promotion in service as like their European counterparts. Out of such discontent the Indian sepoys led to a mutiny.

Social cause: The English could not establish any social relationship with the Indians. The racial arrogance of the British created a difference between the rulers and the ruled.

Enactment of some Acts greatly offended the sentiment of the people. Some of these acts were taken as deliberate blow at the Hindu religion, custom and right of inheritance.

Direct cause: At that time, Enfield rifles were introduced in the army. The bullets of these rifles were covered by paper with grease like thing. The Sepoys were to cut the cover by teeth before using it. The Hindu and Muslim soldiers refused to cut the covers. They protested against this and were arrested. That ignited the fire.

Under the Leadership of Mangal Pandey the agony of the Sepoys exposed at Barrackpore in Calcutta (March, 1857 A.D.). But the planned revolt started at Meerut (May, 1857 A.D.). Gradually it spread from Punjab in the north to Narmada in south, from Rajputana in the west to Bihar in the east. As the revolt was started by the Indian sepoys in the British army, the revolt became known as Sepoy mutiny. When the sepoys of Meerut reached Delhi there was huge upsurge. They declared old Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah as the Badshah of India. He was accepted as the symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. With the outbreak of mutiny among Sepoys common men joined the revolt. Farmers and artisans put further force behind the mutiny. The second reason for this mass revolt was the unity among the Hindus and Muslims. On observing this historians thought that, up to this period there was no communal feelings among the masses.

End of the Revolt

The British government came out with all the powers to suppress the revolt. The sepoys fought the battle with their limited strength for four months. Then, the sepoys had to retreat. On 25th September British troops regained Delhi. Bahadur Shah was arrested. Nana Saheb lost the battle of Kanpur. His commander Tantia Topi continued the fight up to April, 1859 A.D. and surrendered to the British force. Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi lost her life in the battleground. Kunwar Singh, Bakht Khan of Bihar, Bahadur Khan, Moulavi Ahmed of Faizabad lost their lives one after the other. By the end of 1859 A.D. the British power was reestablished in troubled areas.

Reason of failure of the revolt

There were several reasons behind the failure of this revolt.

There was no central organization of the sepoys. There was no unified action also. Bahadur Shah, Nana Saheb, Lakshmi Bai, no one had acceptance as a real leader. They had different goals and times again they had contradictions.
The British had a huge number of forces. New groups of soldiers were sent to India after the end of Crimean war. Fresh army men came from Singapore. As a result of these, in the middle of the revolt the strength of the British force was doubled. The chance of a win became remote.
The sepoys had no improved arms with them. On the other hand, the British force had huge and improved armory. They could not match improved guns and rifles with their old model musket, spears and sword. So the defeat was almost certain.
Further the leaders of this revolt could not get the support of several native states like Holker, Scindia and Rajput sardars and kings. They supported the British. Educated middle-class people also were behind the British power.

Nature of the Great Revolt of 1857

There are differences of opinions amongst historians about the character of this great revolt. Some historians are of opinion that the revolt in the North-Western province was a lawless revolt by a group of sepoys.

On the other hand, some historians believe that it was more than just a sepoy mutiny as it had a large mass base. Though in the beginning it was like sepoy mutiny, but later on it turned out to be a real mass upsurge.

Karl Marx in his several essays described this revolt as nationalist fight for independence. Marxist writers looked at this event as uprising of peasants against feudal system of exploitation. V.D. Savarkar, the great revolutionary, described this revolt as the first struggle for independence. M.N. Roy said that it was the reaction of the feudal against capitalism.

On the centenary of the great revolt Dr. Ramesh Chandra Majumder wrote and published a book entitled ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ and ‘Revolt of Eighteen Fifty Seven’. Dr. Majumder thought that this was nothing but a revolt of the sepoy. He also said that in some places few non-military persons came out in support of the sepoys but they were local landlords, talukdars and feudal leaders. In his opinion it was nothing better than feudalistic reaction of the revolt.

But many historians are of opinion that the Great movement of 1857 A.D. cannot be termed as narrow, isolated and reactionary. The sepoys established a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity by electing Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India. In the Ajamgarh declaration a call was given to people of all classes of mass to unite against the British rule. It may be righty that they had no idea about national government, but nationalism was there. So it can be called a national movement.

Importance and Outcome of the Great Revolt of 1857

It can be said that the great revolt of 1857 A.D. was a failure, but was not fruitless.

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 Indian-ness in those revolts. The revolt of 1857 A.D. was a collected effort of different sections of people.
Awakening of Peasants class: The peasants joined this revolt which was out and out against the British. This was unique.
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.
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.
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 organize any revolt. In the important positions of the government no native people (Indian) was given any chance.

The Great Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising in India in 1857 against the rule of the British East India Company. The revolt began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut, and quickly spread to other parts of northern India. The rebels were motivated by a variety of factors, including religious and economic grievances, as well as resentment of British rule. The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, but it had a profound impact on British rule in India.

The following are some of the causes of the Great Revolt of 1857:

Religious and economic grievances: The rebels were motivated by a variety of religious and economic grievances. For example, they were angered by the British practice of using Hindu and Muslim soldiers to fire on each other, and they were also resentful of the British economic policies, which they believed were designed to enrich the British at the expense of the Indians.
Resentment of British rule: The rebels were also resentful of British rule in general. They felt that the British were arrogant and disrespectful of Indian culture and traditions. They also believed that the British were exploiting India’s Resources and wealth for their own benefit.
The introduction of the Enfield rifle: The introduction of the Enfield rifle was a major factor in the outbreak of the revolt. The cartridges for the rifle were greased with animal fat, which was considered to be sacrilegious to both Hindus and Muslims. This led to widespread rumors that the British were trying to convert Hindus and Muslims to Christianity by force.
The role of the sepoys: The sepoys, or Indian soldiers in the British East India Company’s army, played a key role in the revolt. Many sepoys were unhappy with their pay and conditions, and they were also resentful of the British officers who commanded them.

The following are some of the consequences of the Great Revolt of 1857:

The end of the East India Company’s rule: The revolt led to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India. The British government took direct control of India, and the Company was dissolved.
The establishment of the British Raj: The British Raj, or British rule in India, was established in 1858. The British Raj lasted for nearly 100 years, until India gained independence in 1947.
The decline of the Mughal Empire: The Mughal Empire was already in decline before the revolt, but the revolt accelerated its decline. The Mughal Empire collapsed in 1857, and its territory was divided up among the British and the Indian princely states.
The Rise of Nationalism in India: The revolt led to the rise of nationalism in India. The revolt showed that the Indians were capable of uniting against the British, and it inspired a new generation of Indian nationalists.
The impact on British rule in India: The revolt had a profound impact on British rule in India. The British government was shaken by the revolt, and it took steps to reform its administration of India. The revolt also led to a greater awareness of Indian culture and traditions among the British.

The Great Revolt of 1857 was a major turning point in Indian history. It marked the end of the East India Company’s rule in India and the beginning of the British Raj. The revolt also led to the rise of nationalism in India and a greater awareness of Indian culture and traditions among the British.

What was the Great Revolt of 1857?

The Great Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The revolt began on May 10, 1857, when a group of Indian soldiers, or sepoys, mutinied at the British East India Company’s garrison in Meerut. The revolt quickly spread to other parts of India, and by the end of 1857, it had engulfed much of the country. The British were eventually able to suppress the revolt, but it had a profound impact on British rule in India.

What were the causes of the Great Revolt of 1857?

The Great Revolt of 1857 was caused by a number of factors, including religious and cultural differences between the British and the Indians, economic grievances, and political reforms.

One of the main causes of the revolt was religious and cultural differences between the British and the Indians. The British were Christians, while the majority of Indians were Hindus or Muslims. The British often viewed Indian culture as inferior to their own, and they made little effort to understand or respect Indian customs. This led to resentment among many Indians.

Another cause of the revolt was economic grievances. The British East India Company had a monopoly on trade in India, and this led to high prices and low wages for many Indians. The British also imposed high taxes on the Indian people, which further exacerbated their economic problems.

Finally, the British had recently instituted a number of political reforms that had angered many Indians. These reforms included abolishing the traditional Indian system of Justice and replacing it with a British-style system, and replacing the Indian princes with British officials. These reforms were seen by many Indians as a threat to their traditional way of life.

What were the consequences of the Great Revolt of 1857?

The Great Revolt of 1857 had a profound impact on British rule in India. The British were shocked by the extent of the revolt, and they realized that they needed to make changes to their way of governing India. In 1858, the British government took direct control of India from the East India Company. The British also made a number of reforms, including abolishing the practice of sati (widow burning) and improving the conditions of Indian soldiers.

The Great Revolt of 1857 also had a significant impact on Indian nationalism. The revolt showed that the Indians were capable of uniting against the British, and it inspired a new generation of Indian nationalists. The revolt also led to the formation of the Indian National Congress, which would eventually lead India to independence.

What are some of the myths and misconceptions about the Great Revolt of 1857?

There are a number of myths and misconceptions about the Great Revolt of 1857. One myth is that the revolt was a purely religious uprising. In reality, the revolt was caused by a number of factors, including religious and cultural differences, economic grievances, and political reforms.

Another myth is that the revolt was led by a single leader. In reality, the revolt was led by a number of different leaders, including Mangal Pandey, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and Rani Lakshmibai.

Finally, there is a myth that the revolt was a failure. In reality, the revolt had a significant impact on British rule in India. The British were shocked by the extent of the revolt, and they realized that they needed to make changes to their way of governing India. In 1858, the British government took direct control of India from the East India Company. The British also made a number of reforms, including abolishing the practice of sati (widow burning) and improving the conditions of Indian soldiers.

The Great Revolt of 1857 was a major event in Indian history. It had a profound impact on British rule in India, and it inspired a new generation of Indian nationalists. The revolt is still remembered today, and it is a source of pride for many Indians.

The Great Revolt of 1857

The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Revolt of 1857, the Sepoy War, or the First War of Indian Independence, was a Major Armed Uprising against British rule in India that took place from 10 May 1857 to 1 November 1858. It began in Meerut, in the North-Western Provinces (modern Uttar Pradesh), and quickly spread to the Ganges Plain and central India. The rebellion was largely suppressed by the British by 1858, but it had a profound impact on British attitudes towards India and its empire.

Causes of the Great Revolt of 1857

The Great Revolt of 1857 was caused by a number of factors, including:

Religious and cultural tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
Economic grievances among the Indian Population, such as high taxes and land revenue.
Discontent with British rule, which was seen as oppressive and exploitative.
The introduction of new technologies, such as the Enfield rifle, which required soldiers to bite off the cartridges that were greased with cow or pig fat. This was seen as sacrilegious by both Hindus and Muslims.
The role of the East India Company, which was a private company that had been granted a monopoly on trade with India. The Company was seen as corrupt and exploitative, and its rule was increasingly unpopular.

Consequences of the Great Revolt of 1857

The Great Revolt of 1857 had a number of consequences, including:

The end of the East India Company’s rule in India. The Company was dissolved in 1858, and India was brought under direct British rule.
The establishment of the British Raj, which was the period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947.
The introduction of a number of reforms in India, such as the Indian Councils Act of 1861, which gave Indians a greater role in government.
The strengthening of British nationalism, as the British saw the revolt as a challenge to their imperial power.
The development of a sense of Indian nationalism, as Indians began to see themselves as a distinct nation with a common history and culture.

MCQs

The Great Revolt of 1857 was a major armed uprising against British rule in India.
The revolt began in Meerut, in the North-Western Provinces (modern Uttar Pradesh), and quickly spread to the Ganges Plain and central India.
The rebellion was largely suppressed by the British by 1858, but it had a profound impact on British attitudes towards India and its empire.
The causes of the Great Revolt of 1857 were complex and varied, but they included religious and cultural tensions, economic grievances, discontent with British rule, and the introduction of new technologies.
The consequences of the Great Revolt of 1857 were far-reaching, including the end of the East India Company’s rule in India, the establishment of the British Raj, the introduction of a number of reforms, the strengthening of British nationalism, and the development of a sense of Indian nationalism.

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