The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale rebellion against British rule in India. It is often called India’s First War of Independence because it was the first time different sections of Indian society united against British rule. Although the revolt failed, it was a turning point in Indian history and laid the foundation for future struggles for independence.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the causes, events, consequences, and reasons for failure of the revolt is crucial for the Modern Indian History section. Let’s go step by step to understand this important event.
Causes of the Revolt of 1857
The revolt was caused by a combination of political, economic, social, and military grievances. Let’s explore each of them in detail.
1. Political Causes
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Annexation of Indian States: The British followed aggressive expansion policies like the Doctrine of Lapse, under which they annexed Indian states if a ruler died without a male heir. Some of the states affected were:
- Satara (1848), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1854), Awadh (1856)
- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was particularly affected by this policy.
- Annexation of Awadh (1856): The British took over Awadh, claiming that its Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was ruling inefficiently. This angered both the nobility and the common people.
- Disrespect for Indian Princes: Indian rulers were humiliated and deprived of their power, leading to widespread resentment.
Dwonload notes of Land Revenue System in British India
2. Economic Causes
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Exploitation of Peasants:
- The British introduced new land revenue systems like Permanent Settlement, Mahalwari, and Ryotwari, which forced farmers to pay high taxes.
- If they failed to pay, their lands were taken away.
- This led to extreme poverty among peasants.
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Destruction of Indian Handicrafts and Industries:
- The British promoted their own industries by imposing high taxes on Indian goods while allowing British products to enter India without any duties.
- This ruined Indian artisans and weavers.
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Unemployment: Many people, including soldiers, craftsmen, and farmers, lost their livelihoods due to British policies.
3. Social and Religious Causes
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Interference in Indian Customs:
- The British introduced social reforms like the abolition of Sati (1829) and the Widow Remarriage Act (1856).
- Although these reforms were progressive, many Indians saw them as an attack on their traditions.
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Promotion of Christianity:
- British missionaries actively tried to convert Indians to Christianity.
- Laws like the Religious Disabilities Act of 1856, which allowed Hindu converts to Christianity to inherit property, angered traditional Hindus.
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Racial Discrimination:
- British officials considered Indians inferior and did not allow them into high administrative positions.
4. Military Causes
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Discrimination Against Indian Soldiers:
- Indian sepoys were paid much less than British soldiers.
- They were not promoted to high ranks.
- They were forced to serve in distant regions without additional pay.
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General Service Enlistment Act (1856):
- This law required sepoys to serve anywhere in the British Empire, including overseas.
- Many Hindus believed that crossing the sea would make them lose their caste.
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Enfield Rifle Incident (Immediate Cause):
- The new Enfield rifles required soldiers to bite off the cartridges before loading them into the gun.
- It was rumored that the cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat, which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims.
- This became the immediate cause of the revolt.
Spread of the Revolt
The revolt began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, when Indian sepoys refused to use the Enfield cartridges. They were imprisoned, but their comrades rebelled, killed British officers, and marched to Delhi.
- Delhi (May 11, 1857): The rebels reached Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the emperor of India.
- Kanpur (June 1857): Led by Nana Saheb, the revolt was intense but later suppressed.
- Jhansi (June 1857): Rani Lakshmibai fought bravely but was killed in battle.
- Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt in Awadh.
- Bareilly, Banaras, Allahabad, and Bihar also saw revolts under leaders like Kunwar Singh.
Despite the widespread uprising, many areas like Punjab, Bengal, and South India remained loyal to the British, which helped them suppress the rebellion.
Consequences of the Revolt
Even though the revolt failed, it had major consequences for India:
1. End of East India Company Rule
- The British government abolished the East India Company and took direct control of India through the Government of India Act, 1858.
2. Change in British Policies
- End of Expansion: The British stopped annexing new Indian states.
- Religious Tolerance: Queen Victoria’s proclamation (1858) promised not to interfere in Indian religions.
3. Changes in the Army
- The proportion of British soldiers in the army was increased, and Indian soldiers were carefully divided to prevent unity.
4. Rise of Indian Nationalism
- Though the revolt failed, it created a sense of unity among Indians and inspired later independence movements.
Why Did the Revolt Fail?
Despite its intensity, the revolt did not succeed due to several reasons:
1. Lack of Unity
- The rebels had no common leadership or ideology.
- Different groups fought for different reasons.
2. Limited Geographical Spread
- The revolt was mainly concentrated in North and Central India.
- Bengal, Punjab, and South India did not actively participate.
3. British Military Superiority
- The British had better weapons, communication, and leadership.
- They received reinforcements from Britain.
4. Lack of Support from Indian Rulers
- Many Indian princes, including Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Nepal, supported the British.
- The Sikhs and Gurkhas helped the British suppress the revolt.
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The Revolt of 1857 was a landmark event in Indian history. Even though it failed, it exposed the weaknesses of British rule and laid the foundation for future independence movements. The sacrifices of leaders like Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, and Bahadur Shah Zafar inspired generations of freedom fighters.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding this revolt is essential as it helps in understanding the nature of British rule, the emergence of nationalism, and the transformation of Indian society in the 19th century.
