THE EVENTS OF THE WAR/BEGINNING OF THE UPRISING
(WAR OF INDEPENDENCE) ≣
(WAR OF INDEPENDENCE) ≣
*** only for information ▐ ↴
➔ The 19th Native Infantry at Berhampur in Bengal refused to accept the cartridges given to them on February 26,1857. ░
➔ The war of Independence was supposed to being on 31st May,1857. ░
➔ The war of Independence was supposed to being on 31st May,1857. ░
▶ But on 29th march 1857 a Brahmin Soldier Mangal Pandey of a regiment stationed at Barrackpore also refused to use the greased cartridge.
▶ He also killed two English officer.
▶ He was tried and executed.
▶ He became a martyr for his fellow soldiers.
▶ He also killed two English officer.
▶ He was tried and executed.
▶ He became a martyr for his fellow soldiers.
≽ The regiments of Barrackpore and Berhampur were disbanded.
≽ Then Sepoy/Soldiers of thee regiments went back to their villages in Awadh and spread the news of greased cartridge which disturbs the Indians.
≽ Then Sepoy/Soldiers of thee regiments went back to their villages in Awadh and spread the news of greased cartridge which disturbs the Indians.
Main Events
1. Events at Meerut
2. Events at Delhi
3. Events at Lucknow
4. Events at Kanpur
5. Events in Central India(Jhansi & Gwalior)
6. Other Centres
2. Events at Delhi
3. Events at Lucknow
4. Events at Kanpur
5. Events in Central India(Jhansi & Gwalior)
6. Other Centres
1. Events at Meerut
◆On May 9, 85 soldiers refused to touch the cartridges on the parade grounds.
◆They were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
◆On May 10, the very next day all the Indian soldiers(broke into open revolt) revolted and rushed to the jail and released their comrades and other convicts.
◆They killed the Europeans and burnt their houses. ↷
◆They were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
◆On May 10, the very next day all the Indian soldiers(broke into open revolt) revolted and rushed to the jail and released their comrades and other convicts.
◆They killed the Europeans and burnt their houses. ↷
❖On May 9, 85 soldiers refused to touch the cartridges on the parade grounds.
❖They were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
❖On May 10, the very next day all the Indian soldiers (broke into open revolt) revolted and rushed to the jail and released their comrades and other convicts.
❖They killed the Europeans and burnt their houses.
2. Events at Delhi
• Soldiers from Meerut came to Delhi the next morning.
• They were joined by the local infantry.
• They captured the Delhi and bahadur shah was proclaimed the Emperor of India.
• But the success of Indian soldiers was short lived as Sir John Nicholson surrounded Delhi sufficient re-inforcements from Punjab.
• The gates of the red fort were blown up and the British flag was unfurled on its rampart.
• Bahadur shah was found guilty for this movement so his two sons were shot dead in front of him. (by Lt. Hodson)
• He was exiled to Yangon(Rangoon at present) in Myanmar where he died in 1862. ↷
• They were joined by the local infantry.
• They captured the Delhi and bahadur shah was proclaimed the Emperor of India.
• But the success of Indian soldiers was short lived as Sir John Nicholson surrounded Delhi sufficient re-inforcements from Punjab.
• The gates of the red fort were blown up and the British flag was unfurled on its rampart.
• Bahadur shah was found guilty for this movement so his two sons were shot dead in front of him. (by Lt. Hodson)
• He was exiled to Yangon(Rangoon at present) in Myanmar where he died in 1862. ↷
• Soldiers from Meerut came to Delhi the next morning.
• They were joined by the local infantry.
• They captured the Delhi and bahadur shah was proclaimed the Emperor of India.
• But the success of Indian soldiers was short lived as Sir John Nicholson surrounded Delhi sufficient re-inforcements from Punjab.
• The gates of the red fort were blown up and the British flag was unfurled on its rampart.
• Bahadur shah was found guilty for this movement so his two sons were shot dead in front of him. (by Lt. Hodson)
• He was exiled to Yangon(Rangoon at present) in Myanmar where he died in 1862.
3. Events at Lucknow
⋟ The nawab of Awadh had been deprived of his domains and was leading prisoners life in Kolkata.
⋟ But his queen, Begum Hazrat Mahal enthused the soldiers & led the uprising at Lucknow.
⋟ The city was recaptured by the British in March 1858.
⋟ The chief Commissioner , Sir Henry Lawrence had converted his own residence , known as the Residency into a shelter place for all European.
⋟ The Indian soldiers besieged the Residency but British defended it.
⋟ Begum Hazrat Mahal fled towards the Nepal frontier. ↷
⋟ But his queen, Begum Hazrat Mahal enthused the soldiers & led the uprising at Lucknow.
⋟ The city was recaptured by the British in March 1858.
⋟ The chief Commissioner , Sir Henry Lawrence had converted his own residence , known as the Residency into a shelter place for all European.
⋟ The Indian soldiers besieged the Residency but British defended it.
⋟ Begum Hazrat Mahal fled towards the Nepal frontier. ↷
• The nawab of Awadh had been deprived of his domains and was leading prisoners life in Kolkata.
• But his queen, Begum Hazrat Mahal enthused the soldiers & led the uprising at Lucknow.
• The city was recaptured by the British in March 1858.
• The chief Commissioner , Sir Henry Lawrence had converted his own residence , known as the Residency into a shelter place for all European.
• The Indian soldiers besieged the Residency but British defended it.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal fled towards the Nepal frontier.
4. Events at Kanpur
• Nana Saheb led the struggle for independence at Kanpur.
• The British surrendered in June 1857.
• A large number of Englishmen, women and children were captured by an angry (infuriated) mob.
• The British defeated Nana Saheb in December 1857.
• Nana Saheb fled towards Nepal.
• His general, Tantia Tope , escaped to Kalpi.
• The British surrendered in June 1857.
• A large number of Englishmen, women and children were captured by an angry (infuriated) mob.
• The British defeated Nana Saheb in December 1857.
• Nana Saheb fled towards Nepal.
• His general, Tantia Tope , escaped to Kalpi.
• Nana Saheb led the struggle for independence at Kanpur.
• The British surrendered in June 1857.
• A large number of Englishmen, women and children were captured by an angry (infuriated) mob.
• The British defeated Nana Saheb in December 1857.
• Nana Saheb fled towards Nepal.
• His general, Tantia Tope , escaped to Kalpi.
5. Events in Central India (Jhansi and Gwalior)
• The battle began at Jhansi early in June 1857.
• Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to the fortress of Jhansi in March 1858.
• Rani Laxmi Bai resisted but Jhansi was captured by the British when traitors opened the gates of the fortress for them.
• The Rani escaped from the fortress on the night of April 4, 1858 to join Tantia Tope at Kalpi.
• The Rani and Tantia Tope then managed to capture the fort of Gwalior from Sindhia.
• The rani died fighting the British on June 17,1858 at Gwalior.
• Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to the fortress of Jhansi in March 1858.
• Rani Laxmi Bai resisted but Jhansi was captured by the British when traitors opened the gates of the fortress for them.
• The Rani escaped from the fortress on the night of April 4, 1858 to join Tantia Tope at Kalpi.
• The Rani and Tantia Tope then managed to capture the fort of Gwalior from Sindhia.
• The rani died fighting the British on June 17,1858 at Gwalior.
• The battle began at Jhansi early in June 1857.
• Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to the fortress of Jhansi in March 1858.
• Rani Laxmi Bai resisted but Jhansi was captured by the British when traitors opened the gates of the fortress for them.
• The Rani escaped from the fortress on the night of April 4, 1858 to join Tantia Tope at Kalpi.
• The Rani and Tantia Tope then managed to capture the fort of Gwalior from Sindhia.
• The rani died fighting the British on June 17,1858 at Gwalior.
**** Sir Hugh Rose paid tributes to her bravery in these words “the best and bravest military leader of the rebels.”
• Tantia Tope was betrayed by the Gwalior Chief , Man Singh and was hanged on April 18,1859.
6. Other Centres
◆ At Bareilly , Khan Bahadur , a descendent of the former ruler of Rohilkhand took command of the movement.
◆ In Bihar, the struggle was led by Kunwar Singh , the zamindar of Jagdishpur.
◆ In Bihar, the struggle was led by Kunwar Singh , the zamindar of Jagdishpur.
⋟ ◆ He had been deprived of his estates by the British.
◆ At Faizabad, the leadership was taken by Maulvi Ahmadullah,who aroused the muslim community against the British rule.
◆ Bengal, Rohilkhand , Bundelkhand, Central India , several parts of Bihar and East Punjab rose against the British policies.
◆ There were serious uprisings in Haryana particularly at Rohtak, Rewari and Hisar.
◆ In some states in India, ruler remained loyal to the British Government but their soldiers rose against the British.
◆ Common people rose up in arms and fought with their axes and spears, bows and arrows.
◆ Bengal, Rohilkhand , Bundelkhand, Central India , several parts of Bihar and East Punjab rose against the British policies.
◆ There were serious uprisings in Haryana particularly at Rohtak, Rewari and Hisar.
◆ In some states in India, ruler remained loyal to the British Government but their soldiers rose against the British.
◆ Common people rose up in arms and fought with their axes and spears, bows and arrows.
▒ ❉ Chronolgy Of Events ❉ ▒
➨ February 26,1857- Unrest among the soldiers at Berhampur , Bengal
➨ March 29,1857- Resentment by Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore.
➨ May 9,1857- Resentment by 85 sepoys of the third cavalry at Meerut.
➨ May 10,1857-The sepoys at Meerut broke out openly against the British and headed towards Delhi.
➨ May 11-30,1857- Outbreaks in Delhi, Ferozpur, Bombay, Bareilly, Aligarh, Etawah, Bulandshar, Lucknow.
➨ June 1857- Uprising at Gwalior , Bhartapur,Jhansi ,Allahabad, Faizabad
➨ August 1857- Uprising at Indore,Mjow Saugar Jhelum, Sialkot etc.
➨ September 1857-Recapture of Delhi by the English
➨ November 1857- Defeat of the British at Kanpur
➨ December 1857-Victory of the British at Kanpur, escape of Tantia Tope
➨ March 1858-Recapture of Lucknow by the British
➨ April 1858- Victory of the British at Jhansi uprising in Bihar by Kunwar Singh
➨ June 17,1858- Death of Ran of Jhansi
➨ July-December 1858- Re-establishment of British Authority in India
➨ April 1859-Tantia Tope captured and hanged to death.
➨ March 29,1857- Resentment by Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore.
➨ May 9,1857- Resentment by 85 sepoys of the third cavalry at Meerut.
➨ May 10,1857-The sepoys at Meerut broke out openly against the British and headed towards Delhi.
➨ May 11-30,1857- Outbreaks in Delhi, Ferozpur, Bombay, Bareilly, Aligarh, Etawah, Bulandshar, Lucknow.
➨ June 1857- Uprising at Gwalior , Bhartapur,Jhansi ,Allahabad, Faizabad
➨ August 1857- Uprising at Indore,Mjow Saugar Jhelum, Sialkot etc.
➨ September 1857-Recapture of Delhi by the English
➨ November 1857- Defeat of the British at Kanpur
➨ December 1857-Victory of the British at Kanpur, escape of Tantia Tope
➨ March 1858-Recapture of Lucknow by the British
➨ April 1858- Victory of the British at Jhansi uprising in Bihar by Kunwar Singh
➨ June 17,1858- Death of Ran of Jhansi
➨ July-December 1858- Re-establishment of British Authority in India
➨ April 1859-Tantia Tope captured and hanged to death.
February 26,1857
Unrest among the soldiers at Berhampur , Bengal
– Unrest among the soldiers at Berhampur , Bengal
March 29,1857
Resentment by Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore.
March 29,1857- Resentment by Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore.
February 26,1857
C- Resentment by 85 sepoys of the third cavalry at Meerut.
C- Resentment by 85 sepoys of the third cavalry at Meerut.
May 10,1857
The sepoys at Meerut broke out openly against the British and headed towards Delhi.
May 10,1857-The sepoys at Meerut broke out openly against the British and headed towards Delhi.
May 11-30,1857
Outbreaks in Delhi, Ferozpur, Bombay, Bareilly, Aligarh, Etawah, Bulandshar, Lucknow.
May 11-30,1857- Outbreaks in Delhi, Ferozpur, Bombay, Bareilly, Aligarh, Etawah, Bulandshar, Lucknow.
June 1857
Uprising at Gwalior , Bhartapur,Jhansi ,Allahabad, Faizabad.
June 1857- Uprising at Gwalior , Bhartapur,Jhansi ,Allahabad, Faizabad.
August 1857
Uprising at Indore,Mjow Saugar Jhelum, Sialkot etc.
August 1857- Uprising at Indore,Mjow Saugar Jhelum, Sialkot etc.
September 1857
Recapture of Delhi by the English
September 1857-Recapture of Delhi by the English
November 1857
Defeat of the British at Kanpur.
November 1857- Defeat of the British at Kanpur.
December 1857
Victory of the British at Kanpur, escape of Tantia Tope
December 1857-Victory of the British at Kanpur, escape of Tantia Tope
March 1858
Recapture of Lucknow by the British.
March 1858-Recapture of Lucknow by the British.
April 1858
Victory of the British at Jhansi uprising in Bihar by Kunwar Singh
April 1858- Victory of the British at Jhansi uprising in Bihar by Kunwar Singh
June 17,1858
Death of Ran of Jhansi.
June 17,1858- Death of Ran of Jhansi.
July-December 1858
Re-establishment of British Authority in India
July-December 1858- Re-establishment of British Authority in India
April 1859
Tantia Tope captured and hanged to death
April 1859-Tantia Tope captured and hanged to death.
█ Results and Consequences of The First War Of Independence ≣
░ ⇛ The First War Of Independence was not in favour of Indians but it shook the foundation of British rule in India.
✱✱ It affected socio-political and constitutional field in the following ways.
1. End of Campany’s Rule/Changes introduced in the Administrative set up
2. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation/Solemn promises made to the people of India.
3. End of Mughals and Peshwas
4. Relations with Princely States/Policy towards the Indian Princes and Chiefs.
5. Policy of Divide and Rule/Widening of the gulf between Hindus and Muslims.
6. Racial Antagnoism (Hostility)
7. Increased Racial Bitterness
8. Foreign Policy
9. Religions Changes
10. Economic Exploitation
11. Changes in the Army
12. Rise of Nationalism
2. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation/Solemn promises made to the people of India.
3. End of Mughals and Peshwas
4. Relations with Princely States/Policy towards the Indian Princes and Chiefs.
5. Policy of Divide and Rule/Widening of the gulf between Hindus and Muslims.
6. Racial Antagnoism (Hostility)
7. Increased Racial Bitterness
8. Foreign Policy
9. Religions Changes
10. Economic Exploitation
11. Changes in the Army
12. Rise of Nationalism
1. End of The Company’s Rules & changes introduced in the Administrative set-up ⇙
⇒ End of the East India Company’s Rules was the most significant result of the first war of Independence.
The British statesmen made the Government of India directly by the crown which was according to the Government of India Act of 1858.
⇒ First transfer of the power to govern India from the East India Company to the British crown.
★★★ India was now to be governed by and in the name of her majesty. ▰
⇒ Second- Company’s Board of Control and the court of Directors were abolished.
• All the powers were transferred to a Cabinet Minister known as the Secretary of States for India.
• He was responsible to the Parliament .So , the ultimate power over India remained with the British Parliament.
• He was responsible to the Parliament .So , the ultimate power over India remained with the British Parliament.
⇒ Third-The Secretary Of State was to be assisted by the India council consisting of fifteen members.
• Seven were to be elected by the court of Directors. Eight members were to be appointed by the crown.
• His Salary and allowances were to paid out of the revenues of India.
• His Salary and allowances were to paid out of the revenues of India.
⇒ Fourth-appointments to the Civil Service were to be made by open competition under rules made by the Secretary of state in Council.
⇒ Last-The Governor General received the additional title of ‘Viceroy’
• He remained the governor General of the provinces under the British rule and known as ‘Representative of the Crown’ in India.
• Lord Canning was the first Viceroy under this Act.
• Lord Canning was the first Viceroy under this Act.
2. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation & Solemn Promises made to the People of India ⇙
⇒ The Queen’s Proclamation incorporating the transfer of governance from East India Company to the British Crown was made public at Allahabad, on November 1, 1858 by Lord Canning.
⇒ The Proclamation promised that Government of India would.
⇒ The Proclamation promised that Government of India would.
• Follow a policy of non-intervention in Social and Religious matters of Indians.
• Equal treatment to all her Subjects,Indians and Europeans.
• Equal treatment to all her Subjects,Indians and Europeans.
⇒ All appointments would be strictly on the basis of education, ability and integrity.
• An official pardon was granted to people except those who had been guilty of the murder of British subjects.
• Promotion of Public utility works in India, ensurance of the material and moral progress of the people would be the main concern of the government.
• Do its best to advance the Industries in India.
• Promotion of Public utility works in India, ensurance of the material and moral progress of the people would be the main concern of the government.
• Do its best to advance the Industries in India.
3. End of Mughals and Peshwas ⇙
❑ With the death of Bahadur Shah II, the Mughal dynasty came to an end.
❑ Nana Saheb had taken an active part in the war/uprising and fled to Nepal & never returned.
❑ The office of the Peshwa was abolished.
❑ Nana Saheb had taken an active part in the war/uprising and fled to Nepal & never returned.
❑ The office of the Peshwa was abolished.
★★★★ It was the end of two most powerful enemy of the British-The Marathas and The Mughals. ≣
4. Relations with Princely States/Policy towards the Indian Princes and Chiefs
∎ The policy if Annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse were abandoned.
➔ The British Government would not annex the Indian States and the Integrity of their territories guaranteed.
➔ All the treaties that the princes had concluded with the company would be honoured.
➔ Their rights of adoption and succession were also recognized.
➔ All the treaties that the princes had concluded with the company would be honoured.
➔ Their rights of adoption and succession were also recognized.
**** In 1876, Queen Victoria assumed the titles of the ‘Empress of India’
∎ The Indian princes willingly became junior partners or agents of the British crown
∎ Because they were promised that they would continue as rulers of their states.
∎ Because they were promised that they would continue as rulers of their states.
5. Policy of Divide and Rule/Widening of the Gulf between Hindus and Muslims.
• After 1858, the British continued their policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ by turning the
➨ princes against the people
➨ province against the province
➨ caste against caste
➨ group against group
➨ province against the province
➨ caste against caste
➨ group against group
✹ And above all Hindus against Muslims. ❋
❏ They isolated the people from their rulers by giving them special protection and concessions.
❏ They created a split in educated Indians on the basis of religions.
❏ They encouraged hatred and ill-feeding among the Hindus and The Muslims.
❏ The consequences of the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ were :
❏ They created a split in educated Indians on the basis of religions.
❏ They encouraged hatred and ill-feeding among the Hindus and The Muslims.
❏ The consequences of the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ were :
➨ The princes turned against their own people
➨ A rift started between Hindus and Muslims.
➨ A rift started between Hindus and Muslims.
6. Racial Antagonism (Hostility)
► The British believed in racial superiority.
► They wanted to maintain social distance to preserve their authority over the Indians.
► Reservation in Railway compartments,parks ,hotels , clubs etc. was only for Europeans showed their racialism.
► They wanted to maintain social distance to preserve their authority over the Indians.
► Reservation in Railway compartments,parks ,hotels , clubs etc. was only for Europeans showed their racialism.
7. Increased Racial Bitterness
● After the revolt, racial bitterness increased.
● The British took all Indians as unworthy of trust and subjected them to insults and humiliation.
● The entire structure was remodelled on the idea of a superior race.
● The British took all Indians as unworthy of trust and subjected them to insults and humiliation.
● The entire structure was remodelled on the idea of a superior race.
8. Foreign Policy
✤ British Government kept their interest in India’s foreign policy
✤ Which fulfilled their two aims :-
✤ Which fulfilled their two aims :-
⇨ Protection of its Indian Empire
⇨ expansion of British economic and commercial interests in Asia and Africa.
⇨ expansion of British economic and commercial interests in Asia and Africa.
✤ Implementation of these policies affected Indians very badly.
⇨ India under the British had to wage wars with her neighbours like Nepal and Burma
⇨ Indian soldiers had to shed their blood.
⇨ The Indian taxpayers had to meet the heavy cost of the war.
⇨ Indian soldiers had to shed their blood.
⇨ The Indian taxpayers had to meet the heavy cost of the war.
9. Religious Changes
∎ The British rulers declared their policy of non-interference in the religious affairs, customs and tradition of the Indians.
10. Economic Exploitation
● India became, “the field of economic exploitation and of a single trading concern, but of the entire British people”.
➨ India was turned into colonial economy ,exporting raw material and importing finished goods.
➨ The number of Englishmen in India was increased.
➨ The number of Englishmen in India was increased.
● The salary and allowances of the Secretary of state and members of the Indian Council, the civil servants and military officers were a large drain on the country’s resources.
➨ India became a dumping ground for goods, manufactured in England.
➨ Peasants became poor under the British rule.
➨ Peasants became poor under the British rule.
● The indigo peasants of Bihar revolted on a large scale in 1866-68.
➨ Rural artisan industries such as handicrafts spinning ,weaving collapsed.
➨ The British invested their surplus capital in India in railways , coat-mines,jute mills shipping etc.
➨ The British invested their surplus capital in India in railways , coat-mines,jute mills shipping etc.
● The Indians had to pay heavy interest and dividends on the capital invested in India.
11. Changes in the Army
⇛ After 1858 the Indian Army was re organised and the ‘Policy of balance and counter check’ was adopted in the following manner :-
• The strength of European troops in India was increased.
• All important Geographical & Military positions in the army were reserved exclusively for the British.
• The earlier policy of excluding Indian from the officer corps was strictly maintained
• Artillery and other effective weapons of warfare were reserved for the British troops in India.
• Caste ,region, and religion were the basis in the recruitment to the army.
• Indian soldiers belonging to different castes and creeds were mixed up in a manner to discourage nationalism in most regiments.
• Newspapers journals and nationalist publications were prevented , so that Indian Army should be separated from the life of the rest of the population.
• All important Geographical & Military positions in the army were reserved exclusively for the British.
• The earlier policy of excluding Indian from the officer corps was strictly maintained
• Artillery and other effective weapons of warfare were reserved for the British troops in India.
• Caste ,region, and religion were the basis in the recruitment to the army.
• Indian soldiers belonging to different castes and creeds were mixed up in a manner to discourage nationalism in most regiments.
• Newspapers journals and nationalist publications were prevented , so that Indian Army should be separated from the life of the rest of the population.
12. Rise of Nationalism
★★★★ The revolt of 1857 was the first war of Indian independence from British imperialism.
★★★ According to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, “they spread terror everywhere. Vast numbers were shot down in cold blood, large numbers were shot to pieces from the mouth of cannon;thousands were hanged from the wayside trees.”
∎ People of Indian will never forget sacrifices made by revolutionaries-like Tantia Tope, Rani Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal Pandey.
∎ They became the source of inspiration for the future freedom fighters.
The Rani of Jhansi became India’s Joan of Arc whose very name revide the spirit of patriotism.
The Rani of Jhansi became India’s Joan of Arc whose very name revide the spirit of patriotism.
∎ The war became a “symbol of challenge” to the mighty British power of India.
It inspired Indians in their struggles against the British raj.
It inspired Indians in their struggles against the British raj.
Drawbacks of the First War Of Independence ≣
The Causes of our Failure
⇉ The war was over by the end of 1858.All our leaders and able commanders passed away. ▩
∳ ▶ Drawbacks of the First War of Independence were as follows :-
1. Lack of co-operation among the leaders —
◆ The uprising was supposed to begin on May 31, 1857 but due to the incident of greased cartridges it began before the fixed date.
◆ It disturbed the whole plan because it didn’t have common plans of military action or a centralised leadership.
◆ No serious effort was made by Nana Saheb or any other leader to relieve the siege of Delhi.
◆ So, it was completely uncoordinated.
◆ It disturbed the whole plan because it didn’t have common plans of military action or a centralised leadership.
◆ No serious effort was made by Nana Saheb or any other leader to relieve the siege of Delhi.
◆ So, it was completely uncoordinated.
2. Lack of Efficient Leadership:-
❏ Rani Laxmi Bai, Tantia Tope and Kunwar Singh attained notable victories against the British but their activities were confided to limited areas.
❏ The British cause was very ably promoted by leaders Lawrence,Nicholson, Havelock, Outram and Campbell etc.
❏ The British cause was very ably promoted by leaders Lawrence,Nicholson, Havelock, Outram and Campbell etc.
3. Lack of Common goal/Cause :-
● This movement had no common goal before it except for the ‘Anti-Foreign Sentiments’
4. Lack of Resources/Superior Equipment and Resources of the British :-
◆ The British empire had superior resources in terms of men, money and materials to place where they were needed.
◆ British had the advantage of a far-reaching telegraph system.
◆ British had the advantage of a far-reaching telegraph system.
✱✱✱ According to Dr. R.C Majumdar, “the military equipment of the Indians was inferior to that of the English: for example, their old muzzle-loaders were outraged by the new invented breech-loaders of the English troops.” ☜
5. Lack of Nationwide dimensions ┊(i.e. The War was localised) :-
❏ It couldn’t spread to south India and most of Eastern and western India.
❏ Punjab remained absolutely quiet
❏ India rulers like Sindhia and the Nizam of Hyderabad stood by the side of the British.
❏ Bombay and Madras armies remained loyal to the British.
❏ Even Sindh, Rajasthan and Bengal remained unaffected.
❏ Punjab remained absolutely quiet
❏ India rulers like Sindhia and the Nizam of Hyderabad stood by the side of the British.
❏ Bombay and Madras armies remained loyal to the British.
❏ Even Sindh, Rajasthan and Bengal remained unaffected.
6. No scheme of National State :-
► Independence was meant only for the ruling chiefs.
► There was no freedom for the people in it.
► Some of the ruler and the big zamindars of the Indian States refused to join the movement.
► Because they had no idea of a national state for all India.
► There was no freedom for the people in it.
► Some of the ruler and the big zamindars of the Indian States refused to join the movement.
► Because they had no idea of a national state for all India.
7. Lack of participation of all sections of society :-
❖ The moneylenders and the big merchants of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were not the part of uprising.
❖ They used to get profit from economic connections of the British merchant.
❖ Some zamindars of Bengal were loyal to the British.
❖ Educated Indians did not support because they thought British rule would help them in modernisation if they oppose the British government would take the country backward.
❖ They used to get profit from economic connections of the British merchant.
❖ Some zamindars of Bengal were loyal to the British.
❖ Educated Indians did not support because they thought British rule would help them in modernisation if they oppose the British government would take the country backward.
Nature of The War ≣
Its nature: was it a war of independence or a Sepoy Mutiny
The uprising of 1857 was a unique event.
The uprising of 1857 was a unique event.
Historians and Scholars have different views/ opinions about the mature/character of this event.
A War Of Independence ≣
V.D Savarkar described it as ‘a planned war of national independence’ in his book “The Indian War of Independence”
Historian S.N Sen also believes that the uprising of 1857 was a war of independence .It began as a fight for religion and ended as a war of independence.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referred to 1857 as the “First War of Independence”.
The struggle could unite the Hindus and Muslims in Indian history.
A Sepoy Mutiny: ≣
► According to Sir John Lawrence , “it was a mere ‘Sepoy Mutiny’.
Historical citation
The most proximate (immediate) cause of the mutiny was the cartridge affairs and nothing else.
► Marshman and R.C. Majumdar also said that the movement of 1857 should not be termed as the National war of Independence.t was localised , restricated and unorganized in character.
► It was localized , restricted and unorganized in character.
✱✱✱ The revolt developed into a war of Independence ░
∎ It was not only a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ but in certain parts – Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the movement had assumed the nature of a ‘National Revolt’.
∎ Besides Sepoys, million of people took part in the war.
∎ Besides Sepoys, million of people took part in the war.
➨ The crisis appeared as Sepoy Mutiny soon it became a National uprising.
✱✱ In November 1932, Pt. Jawahar Lala Nehru wrote : —
“The Revolt developed into war of Indian Independence against the hated foreigner.”
⇛ Whatever be the nature of the uprising of 1857 but it was the First War Of Independence, because ,
◉ It was the first mass uprising in which all the sections (except some sections) of Indian society participated against a common enemy i.e The British.
◉ It led to rise of modern national movement.
◉ The sacrifices of Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal Pandey was a source of inspiration to the leaders and people of India to fight against British for the Independence of India.
◉ It led to rise of modern national movement.
◉ The sacrifices of Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal Pandey was a source of inspiration to the leaders and people of India to fight against British for the Independence of India.
