Revolt of 1857

Introduction : The Indian Mutiny of 1857-59 was a widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against the rule of British East India Company in India which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British crown. The Revolt It was the first expression of organised resistance against the British East India Company . The revolt is known by several names like the Sepoy Mutiny (by the British Historians), the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion (by the Indian Historians), the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence etc.

Immediate Reason of Revolt of 1857 : The immediate factor was the introduction of the 'Enfield' rifle. The cartridge had to be bitten off before loading it into the gun. Indian sepoys believed that the cartridge was greased with either pig fat or made from cow fat.

Major Causes of the Revolt are as Follows:-

Destruction of Economy- The Economic drain also destroyed the Indian Industry, disintegrating the traditional fabric of the country. The Industrial revolution of England made the machines huge comsumer of Indian Raw material and destroyed the Foreign Trade of the country. India was reduced to a mere exporter of the raw materials.

Low position of Indians in Administration : Indians were debarred from the important and high posts in their own country. The notorious signboards ‘Dogs and Indians not allowed’ were common in the British places of activities in India.

Doctrine of Lapse- The annexation of Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi, Sambhalpur, Karauli, Udaipur, Baghat etc. by the notorious Doctrine of Lapse caused the general hateful sentiments among the Indian public. In Nagpur, there was an open auction of the Royal belongings.

Biased Police and Judiciary- The Judiciary was biased. The British officers were hated and considered aliens in the land of Hindus and Muslims. The people were shrinking of the oppressive loot of the officers, including British appointed Indian Daroghas.

Christian Missionaries- The increased activities of the Christian missionaries were seen with suspicion and mistrust. The tried their best to convert as many people they could and indulged in the false propaganda against the faiths and religions of Hindus and Muslims. The Padris were appointed in the army to “teach” the sepoys about Christianity.

Education- The education policy was not taken positively in Indian public. They thought that the new schools opened by the British and where the “English” is taught will convert their sons to “Christians.

Discrimination with Sepoys- The Indian sepoys were victims of discrimination. They were paid low wages and faced constant verbal and physical abuses from their bosses. The Indian sepoys were chaffed of the new customs which forbade them putting caste marks on their foreheads, keeping beards and wearing turbans.

Overall effects of Revolt of 1857: The major impact was the introduction of Government of India act which abolished the rule of British East India Company and marked the beginning of British Raj that bestowed powers in the hands of the British government to rule India directly through Maharani Victoria , through representatives like Governor generals.

Chapters

Pastoralists in The Modern World I

The Story of Cricket II

The Story of Cricket I

Clothing A Social History

World History

Nationalism in India

Peasants and Farmers II

Peasants and Farmers I

Pastoralists in The Modern World II

Nazism and Rise of Hitler - I

Forest Society and Colonialism II