REBELS AND THE RAJ

REBELS AND THE RAJ

1. INTRODUCTION

• The Revolt of 1857 was the first major rebellion against British colonial rule.

• It is known by different names:

  • Sepoy Mutiny (British historians)

  • First War of Independence (Indian nationalists)

  • People’s uprising (modern historians)

• It involved sepoys, peasants, landlords, rulers, tribal groups, etc.

2. CAUSES OF THE REVOLT

A. Political Causes

• Annexation policies of British created widespread anger:

  • Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie)

  • Subsidiary Alliance

  • Annexation of Awadh in 1856 hurt nobles, taluqdars, peasants.

• Humiliation of rulers (e.g., Nana Saheb, Rani Lakshmi Bai) added resentment.

B. Economic Causes

• Heavy land revenue demands ruined peasants.

• Decline of traditional industries → misery among artisans.

• Taluqdars were replaced by British officials → loss of political power and economic control.

C. Military Causes

• Indian sepoys faced:

  • low salary

  • racial discrimination

  • limited promotional avenues

• The greased cartridge issue (rumoured to use cow & pig fat) hurt religious sentiments.

D. Social and Religious Causes

• Fears of forced conversions to Christianity.

• Social reforms were seen as interference:

  • Widow remarriage

  • Abolition of Sati

• The belief spread that British wanted to destroy Indian culture.

3. THE SPREAD OF THE REVOLT

Start

• Began at Meerut (10 May 1857) when sepoys revolted after being punished for refusing cartridges.

Major Centres

• Delhi – Bahadur Shah Zafar became symbolic leader.

• Kanpur – Led by Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope.

• Lucknow – Led by Begum Hazrat Mahal.

• Jhansi – Rani Lakshmi Bai.

• Bareilly – Khan Bahadur.

• Faizabad – Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.

Nature of Rebellion

• Not centrally planned.

• Varied motives: religious, political, agrarian, military.

• Unified by hatred of colonial rule.

4. LEADERS OF THE REVOLT

• Rani Lakshmi Bai – Jhansi; fierce fight against British; killed in battle.

• Nana Saheb – Kanpur; proclaimed Peshwa.

• Tantia Tope – Skilled military commander.

• Bahadur Shah Zafar – Symbolic Mughal leader.

• Begum Hazrat Mahal – Lucknow.

• Khan Bahadur Khan – Bareilly.

• Kunwar Singh – Bihar.

5. PARTICIPATION OF VARIOUS GROUPS

A. Sepoys

• Main force; controlled cantonments initially.

B. Peasants and Artisans

• Joined due to land grievances, revenue burdens, declining crafts.

C. Tribal & Religious Leaders

• Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah mobilized people in Awadh.

• Local leaders provided ideological unity.

D. Taluqdars of Awadh

• Reinstated their authority after annexation harmed them.

• Played an important role in Awadh rebellion.

6. WHY THE REVOLT FAILED

1. Lack of Central Leadership

• No single national leader or coordinated strategy.

2. Limited Resources

• Rebels lacked modern weapons and supplies.

3. British Military Superiority

• Better disciplined, better weapons, reinforcements from Europe.

4. Lack of Unified Vision

• Diverse motives (religious, political, local grievances).

5. Loyalty of Some Groups to British

• Sikhs, Gurkhas, Pathans, and princes like Scindia remained loyal.

7. CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVOLT

Political

• End of East India Company rule.

• Direct rule under British Crown (Queen’s Proclamation, 1858).

Administrative

• Indian Civil Service expanded; more British dominance.

• Army reorganized—ratio of British to Indians increased.

Changes in Policy

• Respect for Indian traditions promised.

• No further annexations.

• Princes were assured their kingdoms.

Social

• Reforms introduced cautiously.

8. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE REVOLT

British Perspective

• They portrayed the rebellion as:

  • Mutiny

  • Conspiracy

  • Barbaric uprising

• Paintings showed British heroes, suffering Englishwomen, loyalists.

Indian Perspective

• Nationalist historians viewed it as:

  • First War of Independence

  • A widespread people’s struggle.

Sources Used

• Official British accounts

• Indian nationalist writings

• Personal diaries, poetry (e.g., Dastan-i-Ghadar), folklore

• Photographs, paintings, newspaper reports

9. USE OF VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS

British:

• Paintings of brutal Indian rebels to justify repression.

• Rise of heroism of British officers (e.g., "Relief of Lucknow").

Indians:

• Rani Lakshmi Bai represented as a nationalist hero.

• Folklore emphasized unity.

CONCLUSION

The Revolt of 1857 remains a complex event—partly a sepoy mutiny, partly a popular uprising, and widely seen as the first major challenge to colonial rule, shaping Indian nationalism

1. What were the main causes of the Revolt of 1857?

Answer:
The revolt was caused by:

• Political: Annexation policies (Doctrine of Lapse, Awadh annexation) hurt rulers and nobles.

• Economic: High revenue demands, decline of artisans, loss of taluqdari rights.

• Military: Low pay, discrimination, greased cartridges.

• Social-religious: Fear of conversion, interference in customs.

• Immediate cause: The Enfield rifle cartridge issue.

2. Why was Awadh the centre of the revolt?

Answer:

• Annexation in 1856 hurt taluqdars and nobles.

• Heavy revenue burden hurt peasants.

• Sepoys from Awadh formed a major part of the Bengal Army.

• Leaders like Begum Hazrat Mahal provided strong leadership.
  Thus, political and agrarian grievances combined.

3. Who were the main leaders of the revolt?

Answer:

• Delhi: Bahadur Shah Zafar

• Kanpur: Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope

• Jhansi: Rani Lakshmi Bai

• Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal

• Bareilly: Khan Bahadur Khan

• Bihar: Kunwar Singh

4. Why did the revolt fail?

Answer:

• Poor coordination

• No central leadership

• Limited resources

• Superior British army

• Lack of unity among rebels

• Some rulers supported the British

5. How did the British represent the Revolt of 1857?

Answer:

• As a mutiny started by disloyal Indian sepoys.

• Visuals portrayed Indians as violent to justify repression.

• They highlighted British bravery and loyalty of some Indian groups.

6. What changes occurred after the revolt?

Answer:

• Company rule abolished → British Crown took direct control.

• Reorganization of the Indian army.

• No annexation policy.

• More cautious approach to social reforms.

• Promised respect to Indian customs.

7. Discuss the role of Rani Lakshmi Bai in the rebellion.

Answer:
Rani Lakshmi Bai resisted the annexation of Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse.
She fought bravely, led armies, and died on the battlefield, becoming a symbol of nationalism.