Introduction – The First War of Independence?

• The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale resistance against British rule in India.
• It began as a military uprising but soon spread to civilians, including peasants and zamindars.
• Historians debate whether it was a mutiny, a nationalist movement, or a reaction to British policies.

Causes of the Revolt

The causes of the revolt were a mix of military, political, economic, and social grievances.

Military Causes

• Sepoys (Indian soldiers in the British army) were unhappy with low salaries and poor treatment.
• The introduction of Enfield rifles with greased cartridges (suspected to be made of cow and pig fat) angered Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
• High-caste soldiers were forced to serve overseas, which was against their beliefs.

Political Causes

• The Doctrine of Lapse (by Lord Dalhousie) annexed Indian states where rulers had no direct heirs.
• Rulers like Nana Saheb, Rani Lakshmibai, and Bahadur Shah II lost their kingdoms.
• The Mughal emperor was stripped of his symbolic authority.

Economic Causes

• High land revenue under the Permanent Settlement and Mahalwari system burdened peasants.
• Indians lost traditional industries due to British policies favoring British goods.
• Unemployment increased due to the destruction of local handicrafts.

Social and Religious Causes

• Reforms like the abolition of Sati and widow remarriage were seen as interference in Indian traditions.
• Missionary activities created fears of religious conversions to Christianity.

The Course of the Revolt

The revolt began in Meerut on May 10, 1857, and quickly spread across North and Central India.

Key Leaders and Centers of the Revolt

Spread and Suppression

• Sepoys killed British officers and declared war against the Company.
• British forces, led by generals like Colin Campbell and John Nicholson, brutally suppressed the rebellion.
• By 1858, the British had regained control over Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Lucknow.

The Role of Different Sections of Society

The revolt saw participation from different social groups, but support was not uniform.

Supporters of the Revolt

• Sepoys (Indian soldiers) were the main participants.
• Peasants and zamindars who suffered under British policies joined the uprising.
• Traditional rulers like Nana Saheb and Rani Lakshmibai fought to regain their lost kingdoms.

Groups That Did Not Support the Revolt

• The educated middle class and merchants mostly remained loyal to the British.
• Princes in Punjab and southern India did not join the rebellion.
• Some landlords and elites saw the British as protectors of their wealth.

Consequences of the Revolt

The Revolt of 1857 marked the end of Company rule and led to major administrative changes.

End of the Mughal Empire

• Bahadur Shah II was captured and exiled to Burma.
• The Mughal dynasty officially ended, and British rule became direct.

End of Company Rule – Beginning of British Crown Rule

• In 1858, the British government took control of India from the East India Company.
• The British Crown (Queen Victoria) ruled India directly.
• The title “Governor-General” was replaced with “Viceroy” (first Viceroy: Lord Canning).

Changes in British Policies

• More efforts were made to respect Indian customs and religious beliefs.
• Indian princely states were assured that their rule would be protected.
• Landlords and zamindars were given more power to maintain British control.

How the Revolt Was Represented in British and Indian Accounts

The Revolt of 1857 was portrayed differently in British and Indian writings.

British Accounts – “The Sepoy Mutiny”

• The British called it a “mutiny,” blaming Indian soldiers for rebellion.
• They described Indian rebels as “barbaric” and “ungrateful.”
• Paintings and reports in Britain depicted British women and children as innocent victims.

Indian Accounts – “The First War of Independence”

• Nationalist historians called it India’s first fight for freedom.
• They praised leaders like Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Saheb as freedom fighters.
• Writings like Veer Savarkar’s book argued that the revolt was a patriotic movement.

Visual Representations of 1857

Art, photographs, and paintings were used to shape public opinion about the revolt.

British Paintings and Photographs

• Depicted British soldiers as heroes and Indian rebels as violent.
• Highlighted the suffering of British women and children.

Indian Depictions

• Showed rebels as brave warriors fighting for freedom.
• Portrayed British actions as brutal and oppressive.

Conclusion