Introduction – The First War of Independence

• The Revolt of 1857 was the first major uprising against British rule in India.
• It involved soldiers (sepoys), landlords, peasants, and former rulers.
• The British called it the “Sepoy Mutiny,” but Indians consider it the First War of Independence.

Why Is the Revolt of 1857 Important?

• It was the first large-scale armed rebellion against British rule.
• It brought Hindus and Muslims together in a united struggle.
• Though it failed, it inspired future freedom movements.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

The revolt had multiple causes, including political, economic, military, and social issues.

Political Causes

• Doctrine of Lapse (Lord Dalhousie’s Policy) – If an Indian ruler died without a son, the British took over the kingdom.
• Examples: Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur, and Awadh were annexed.
• Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II was humiliated – His descendants were denied the right to rule.

Economic Causes

• Heavy taxes on peasants – Many lost their land.
• Destruction of local industries – British goods replaced Indian handicrafts.
• Unemployment – Indian artisans suffered due to British machine-made products.

Social and Religious Causes

• British interference in Indian customs – People feared the British wanted to convert them to Christianity.
• Banning of Sati (1829) and Child Marriage laws – Seen as interference in Hindu traditions.

Military Causes

• Indian soldiers (sepoys) were mistreated – Paid less and given fewer promotions than British soldiers.
• General Service Enlistment Act (1856) – Forced Indian soldiers to serve overseas, violating religious beliefs.
• Introduction of Enfield Rifle (Immediate Cause) – The new cartridges were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindus and Muslims.

The Beginning of the Revolt – The Uprising in Meerut (May 1857)

• March 1857: Sepoys at Barrackpore refused to use the new cartridges.
• April 1857: Mangal Pandey, a sepoy in Barrackpore, attacked British officers and was hanged.
• May 10, 1857: Indian soldiers in Meerut rebelled, killed British officers, and marched to Delhi.
• They declared Bahadur Shah II as their leader, which inspired other revolts across India.

Centers of Revolt and Their Leaders

The revolt spread across North and Central India, led by various leaders.

Suppression of the Revolt – How the British Crushed the Uprising

• The British used modern weapons and reinforcements to crush the revolt.
• September 1857: Delhi was recaptured, and Bahadur Shah II was exiled to Rangoon.
• June 1858: Rani Lakshmibai was killed in battle.
• Nana Sahib and Tantia Tope were defeated (Tantia Tope was captured and hanged in 1859).

Consequences of the Revolt of 1857

End of Mughal Rule in India

• Bahadur Shah II was exiled, and the Mughal Empire officially ended.
• The British took direct control over India.

End of Company Rule – British Government Takes Control

• The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act (1858).
• The East India Company was abolished, and India was directly ruled by the British Crown.
• A Viceroy was appointed to govern India (Lord Canning was the first Viceroy).

Changes in British Policies

• No more Doctrine of Lapse – Indian rulers were allowed to pass their kingdoms to heirs.
• British stopped interfering in Indian customs and traditions.
• Army was reorganized – More British soldiers, fewer Indian soldiers.

Why Did the Revolt of 1857 Fail?

Even though the revolt was widespread, it failed due to several reasons.

Lack of Unity

• No national leader – Different leaders fought in different areas without coordination.
• Many Indian rulers supported the British, such as the Scindias of Gwalior and the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Limited Resources

• British had better weapons, railways, and communication systems.
• Indian soldiers lacked modern guns and were poorly organized.

No Support from Educated Indians

• Many rich Indians and educated classes did not support the revolt, as they believed British rule was beneficial for reforms.

Legacy of the Revolt – How It Inspired Future Freedom Movements

• Even though the revolt failed, it inspired future struggles against British rule.
• It created a sense of national identity and unity among Indians.
• Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders later considered it the first step toward independence.

Conclusion

• The Revolt of 1857 was caused by British economic policies, land laws, social interference, and military issues.
• It began in Meerut and spread to Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow, and Bihar.
• Leaders like Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope, and Bahadur Shah II led the struggle.
• The British crushed the revolt by 1858 and took direct control of India.
• The revolt failed due to lack of unity, poor leadership, and British military strength.
• It remains a symbol of India’s first major attempt at independence.