Introduction

The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale armed uprising against British rule in India.

• Began: 10 May 1857, Meerut
• Symbolic leader: Bahadur Shah Zafar
• Nature: Sepoy mutiny → Civil rebellion

It marked a watershed in British policy towards India.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

A. Political Causes

Doctrine of Lapse

• Introduced by Lord Dalhousie
• Annexed states without a natural heir
• Affected: Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur

Annexation of Awadh (1856)

• On grounds of misgovernance
• Alienated taluqdars, sepoys & peasants

Humiliation of the Mughal Emperor

• Successors barred from Red Fort
• Title to be abolished

Exclusion of Indians from high posts

• Civil & military discrimination

B. Economic Causes

• Drain of Wealth
• Destruction of handicrafts
• Heavy land revenue (Permanent, Ryotwari, Mahalwari)
• Indigo & Opium exploitation
• Peasant indebtedness
• Zamindari displacement

C. Social & Religious Causes

• Racial arrogance
• Missionary activities
• Fear of forced conversion
• Abolition of Sati, Widow Remarriage Act seen as interference
• Loss of privileges of pandits & maulvis

D. Military Causes

• Low pay & poor treatment
• No promotions to higher ranks
• General Service Enlistment Act (1856)
• Discontent among the Bengal Army

E. Immediate Cause

• Introduction of the Enfield Rifle
• Cartridges allegedly greased with cow & pig fat
• Religious sentiments hurt

Timeline of Events

Major Leaders & Centres

Delhi

• Bahadur Shah Zafar
• Bakht Khan

Jhansi

• Rani Lakshmibai
• Fought Hugh Rose
• Allied with Tatya Tope

Kanpur

• Nana Saheb
• Declared himself Peshwa

Lucknow

• Begum Hazrat Mahal
• Supported by Maulvi Ahmadullah

Bihar

• Kunwar Singh

Causes of Failure

• Lack of unified ideology
• No central leadership
• Limited geographical spread
• Punjab & South India stayed loyal
• Many princes supported the British
• Educated Indians did not support the revolt
• British military superiority
• Poor communication

Consequences of Revolt

A. Political

Government of India Act, 1858

• End of the East India Company rule
• Power transferred to the British Crown
• The Secretary of State for India was created

B. Policy Towards Princes

• The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished
• Adoption rights restored

C. Military Reorganisation

• Increase in European troops
• Divide regiments on caste & community lines

D. Divide and Rule Policy

• Deliberate Hindu–Muslim divisions

E. Psychological Impact

• End of Mughal rule
• Rise of organised nationalism

Features of the Revolt

• Mainly North & Central India
• Sepoy and Peasant participation
• Hindu-Muslim unity
• Anti-colonial in nature
• Lacked modern nationalist ideology