Revolt of 1857
The First War of Independence
A Jobwill.in Publication
Table of Contents
Early Revolts Against British Rule
Rani Kittur Chennamma Revolt (1824)
- Occurred before 1857; one of the earliest organized resistances against British expansion.
- The British attempted to annex Kittur, a princely state in present-day Karnataka.
- Rani Chennamma, the queen of Kittur, led her army and defeated the British forces.
- Significance: Demonstrated early resistance against British imperialism.
The nature of such revolts reflects “the last effort of the old political order to regain power”, as the old feudal rulers tried to resist foreign domination.
Overview of the 1857 Revolt
The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Sepoy Mutiny, First War of Independence, or Hindu-Muslim Revolt, was the first large-scale uprising against British rule in India. It took place in 1857 against the British East India Company’s authority.
- Governor-General: Lord Canning
- British Prime Minister: Benjamin Disraeli described it as a national revolt.
- Historian R.C. Majumdar: Considered it “neither the first, nor truly national,” but it marked a significant turning point in Indian resistance.
The revolt united soldiers, peasants, and rulers against the British, showing a blend of political, religious, and social grievances.
Beginning of the Revolt
- 🗓️Date of Outbreak: 10 May 1857
- 📍Place: Meerut
- 💥Immediate Cause: Introduction of new Enfield rifles (by Henry Hardinge). Their cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. Since cartridges had to be bitten open, it offended both Hindus (who consider cows sacred) and Muslims (who consider pigs unclean). When sepoys refused, they were punished, sparking the revolt.
- 🔥Event: On 10 May 1857, sepoys at Meerut killed their British officers and marched to Delhi, capturing it on 12 May 1857.
- 👑Result: The aged Bahadur Shah Zafar II was declared Emperor of India. Delhi became the symbol of Indian unity.
Comprehensive Causes of the 1857 Revolt
👑 Political Causes
- The Doctrine of Lapse (annexed Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi).
- The Subsidiary Alliance System.
- Annexation of Awadh in 1856 on pretext of misgovernance.
- These policies were seen as deliberate attacks on the power and prestige of Indian rulers.
🙏 Social & Religious Causes
- Interference with customs: abolition of Sati, female infanticide, legalization of widow remarriage.
- Western education & missionary activities created fear of conversion.
- Rampant racial discrimination.
💰 Economic Causes
- Heavy taxation and land policies ruined peasants.
- Local industries destroyed by British goods.
- Traditional zamindars lost their estates.
- Severe distress from economic exploitation and “drain of wealth.”
⚔️ Military Causes
- Indian sepoys were poorly paid and discriminated against.
- No promotion beyond a certain rank.
- The Enfield Rifle cartridges became the immediate trigger.
Thus, the revolt represented “the last effort of the old political order to regain power.”
Major Centres of the Revolt
| Centre | Indian Leader(s) | British Leader(s) | Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Bahadur Shah Zafar | Henry Lawrence | Rebels declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as Emperor; Delhi became the revolt’s centre. |
| Lucknow (Awadh) | Begum Hazrat Mahal | Henry Lawrence | Led resistance in Awadh after annexation; organized rebel forces. |
| Kanpur (Bithoor) | Nana Saheb | Sir Colin Campbell | Nana Saheb, adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, led fierce battle against British. |
| Jhansi | Rani Lakshmi Bai | General Hugh Rose | Fought bravely for her adopted son’s rights; died heroically at Gwalior (June 1858). |
| Gwalior | Rani Lakshmi Bai & Tantia Tope | General Hugh Rose | Captured Gwalior; later defeated; Tantia Tope executed in 1859. |
| Bareilly | Khan Bahadur Khan | Sir Colin Campbell | Declared himself ruler; later defeated. |
| Allahabad & Banaras | Maulvi Liaquat Ali | Colonel Oncell | Led local uprisings against British authority. |
| Bihar | Kunwar Singh | William Taylor | Fought bravely even in old age; symbol of patriotism. |
| Rajasthan | Thakur Singh | — | Fought but later surrendered. |
| Faizabad | Ahmadullah Shah | Henry Lawrence | Prominent religious leader who united Hindus and Muslims. |
| Assam | Maniram Dutta Baruah, Gomdhar Konwar | — | Organized rebellion against British authority. |
Key Personalities of the 1857 Revolt
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II: Last Mughal emperor; poet and calligrapher; exiled to Rangoon (Burma) where he died in 1862.
- Mangal Pandey: Sepoy of 34th Bengal Native Infantry; first spark of revolt at Barrackpore on 29 March 1857; executed on 8 April 1857.
- Rani Lakshmi Bai: Queen of Jhansi; born 19 Nov 1828; fought bravely and died in Gwalior on 18 June 1858.
- Tantia Tope: General of Nana Saheb; captured in April 1859 and executed by the British.
- Shah Mal: Jat leader from Barout, Uttar Pradesh; mobilized 84 villages to revolt; killed in July 1857.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal: Wife of ex-king of Awadh; led revolt from Lucknow after annexation.
- Nana Saheb: Led revolt at Kanpur; palace at Bithoor was his headquarters.
Timeline & Key Battles
Extent and Duration
- The revolt began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut and spread across North and Central India.
- It ended effectively in Gwalior on 13 May 1858.
- The final declaration of peace was made by Lord Canning on 8 July 1858, 14 months after the outbreak.
| Battle/Event | Year | Leaders | Result/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meerut Uprising | 1857 | Sepoys of Bengal Army | Beginning of the revolt. |
| Siege of Delhi | 1857 | Bahadur Shah Zafar | Delhi recaptured by British. |
| Battle of Kanpur | 1857 | Nana Saheb | Fierce fight; British regained control. |
| Battle of Jhansi | 1858 | Rani Lakshmi Bai | Died heroically in battle. |
| Battle of Chinhat | 30 June 1857 | Ahmadullah Shah vs. Henry Lawrence | British defeated; Lawrence died of wounds. |
| Battle of Gwalior | 1858 | Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tantia Tope | Last stronghold of rebels; revolt ended. |
Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt
- Lack of Unified Leadership: While leaders like Rani Lakshmi Bai and Nana Saheb were brave, there was no single, coordinated leadership to unite all the rebel forces under one command.
- Limited Territorial Spread: The revolt was mainly concentrated in North and Central India. Large parts of the country, including the Bengal and Madras Presidencies, remained largely unaffected.
- Disunity Among Indians: Many Indian rulers and zamindars, fearing the loss of their privileges, sided with the British. The educated class also did not support the revolt.
- Superior British Resources: The British had better weapons, a more organized army, and vast resources from their global empire. They also controlled the railways and telegraph, allowing for faster movement and communication.
- No Clear Vision for the Future: The rebels had a common enemy but lacked a unified plan or a clear vision for what would replace British rule, leading to conflicting goals among different groups.
Historians’ Views
R.C. Majumdar
“Neither first, nor national, nor a war of independence.”
V.D. Savarkar
“The first national war of independence.”
Ashok Mehta
“It was a national revolt.”
Aftermath & Consequences of the Revolt
📜 1. End of the East India Company Rule:
The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act of 1858, transferring control from the East India Company to the British Crown.
👑 2. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1 November 1858):
Declared India would be governed by the British Monarch through a Secretary of State. It assured non-interference in religion and traditions.
🛡️ 3. Military Reforms:
- Peel Commission recommended reorganization of the Indian Army.
- Ratio of European to Indian soldiers was increased.
- Artillery kept exclusively under British officers.
- Arms Act of 1878 restricted Indians from possessing weapons.
🏛️ 4. Political Reforms:
- India was placed under the British Crown.
- Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India.
- British adopted a cautious and repressive policy towards Indians.
🤝 5. Social Impact:
- Strengthened the racial divide between British and Indians.
- Sparked a new sense of unity and nationalism among Indians.
Notable Facts & Additional Points
- 41st Native Infantry: Killed all white officers in Sitapur during the revolt on 3 June 1857.
- Song of Lament: “The life has gone out of the body” was sung after the annexation of Awadh, expressing sorrow of the people.
- Maharaja Mehtab Chand (1820–79): Raja of Burdwan; supported British during Santhal Rebellion and 1857 Revolt.
- Henry Hardinge (1844–48): Introduced Enfield Rifles, indirectly causing the mutiny.
End and Significance
The Revolt of 1857 marked the first major challenge to British rule in India. Though it failed due to lack of coordination, modern weapons, and unified leadership, it ignited the spirit of nationalism and paved the way for future struggles leading to India’s freedom.
It ended the rule of the British East India Company and brought India directly under the British Crown, marking the beginning of the British Raj (1858–1947).