The Revolt of 1857

The Indian Revolt of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and

civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India. The rebellion posed a considerable threat to Company power in that region, and was contained only with the

fall of Gwalior on 20 June 1858.

Introduction

The causes for the revolt of 1857 can categorized under:-

Economic Causes Political Causes Social Religion Military Immediate causes.

Causes of Revolt

The most important cause of

popular discontent was the British

policy of economically exploiting

India. This hurt all sections of

society. A corrupt and

unresponsive administration added

to the miseries of the people.

Economic Causes

A major cause of the outbreak of the revolt was the fear among the people that the British government was determined to destroy their religion and convert Indians to Christianity.

Religious Causes

The British policy of territorial annexations led to the displacement of a large number of rulers and chiefs. The policies of Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse angered the ruling sections of the society.

Political Causes

Reforms such as abolition of ‘sati’, legalization of widow remarriage and extension of western education to women were looked upon as examples of interference in the social customs of the country. This turned them against the British.

Social Causes

Indian soldiers formed seven-eighth of the total British troops in India. As they were an integral part of the Indian society, they too suffered the consequences of the oppressive British rule. The Indian sepoys were looked upon as inferior beings. They were paid much less than the British soldiers. All avenues of the promotion were closed to them as all the higher army posts were reserved for the British.

Military Causes

Discontent and resentment against British rule had been growing among the Indians for a long time. By AD 1857, the stage was set for a massive revolt. Only a spark was needed to set the country ablaze. That spark was provided by as small a thing as a rifle cartridge which was greased with animal fat namely beef and pork. This is even today against the religious beliefs of Hindus and Muslims.

Immediate Cause

• It spread from the town of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.•

• Gradually it spread to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and the most important place, Delhi.

The Spread of Revolt

Revolution Centre Leader

Barrackpore Mangal Pandey

Jhansi Rani Laxmibai

Lucknow Begum Hazrat Mahal

Kanpur Nana Saheb

Bareilly Khan Bahudar Khan

Bihar Kunwar Singh

Kalpi Tantya Tope

Delhi Bahudar Shah Zafar

Important Revolution Centres and their Leaders

Rani Laxmibai

Bahudar Shah Zafar

Tantya TopeMangal Pandey

Actors of Revolt

Begum Hazrat Mahal

After the revolt, the Government in Britain announced the end of company rule. The British Government directly took control over India. Queen Victoria of Britain was named the ‘Empress of India.’

After the Revolt

The Revolt of 1857 is still remembered by the local people as the First War of Independence. The rebellion saw the end of the British East

India Company's rule in India. In August, by the Government of India Act 1858, the company was

formally dissolved and its ruling powers over India were transferred to the British Crown.

Conclusion

PRESENTED BY:-

RISHAV

ARORA