The Revolt of 1857 – The First War of Independence

1. Background and Causes

• Political Causes: Doctrine of Lapse (Lord Dalhousie), dethronement of native rulers, annexation of Awadh, etc.
• Economic Causes: Heavy taxation, destruction of handicrafts, Zamindari system, rural distress, peasant exploitation.
• Military Causes: Discrimination in promotions and salary, Indian sepoys not treated equally.
• Religious and Social Causes: Reforms perceived as threats to traditional beliefs (e.g., abolition of Sati, legalization of widow remarriage).
• Immediate Cause: Introduction of Enfield rifle with cartridges greased with cow and pig fat offended both Hindus and Muslims.

2. Major Leaders and Centers

3. Nature of the Revolt

• Started as a military mutiny but soon became a mass uprising in some regions.
• Lack of coordination and unified ideology limited its impact.
• Remained confined to Northern and Central India.

4. Reasons for Failure

• Lack of proper leadership and coordination.
• No modern weapons or communication system.
• No support from Southern India, Western India, and Punjab.
• Modern educated class and most Indian rulers remained loyal to British.

5. Aftermath

• The British Crown took direct control of India (Government of India Act, 1858).
• End of East India Company's rule.
• Introduction of new British policies – racial superiority, divide-and-rule, princely loyalty.
• The Indian Army was reorganized to prevent future rebellions.

6. Views on the Revolt

• V.D. Savarkar: Described it as the “First War of Independence.”
• R.C. Majumdar: Believed it was neither the first, nor a national, nor a war of independence.
• British historians: Called it a "Sepoy Mutiny."

Previous Year Questions (15+)

• SSC CGL 2022: Who was the last Mughal emperor involved in the 1857 revolt?
  → Bahadur Shah Zafar
• RRB NTPC 2021: Who led the revolt in Bihar?
  → Kunwar Singh
• HSSC 2019: What was the immediate cause of the 1857 revolt?
  → Greased cartridges in Enfield rifles
• SSC CHSL 2020: Who led the revolt in Jhansi?
  → Rani Laxmibai
• UPSC CAPF 2017: What was the result of the 1857 revolt?
  → End of East India Company’s rule
• SSC MTS 2018: What was the title given to the revolt of 1857 by the British?
  → Sepoy Mutiny
• RRB Group D 2019: Who called the 1857 revolt the First War of Indian Independence?
  → V.D. Savarkar
• SSC JE 2020: Who was the Governor-General during the 1857 revolt?
  → Lord Canning
• SSC GD 2019: Who led the revolt in Kanpur?
  → Nana Sahib
• HPSC 2022: In which year was the Government of India Act passed after the revolt?
  → 1858
• UPSC CDS 2016: Who led the revolt in Lucknow?
  → Begum Hazrat Mahal
• SSC CGL 2017: What was the main reason for the failure of the revolt?
  → Lack of coordination among leaders
• RRB ALP 2018: Who led the revolt in Bareilly?
  → Khan Bahadur Khan
• SSC CGL 2021: Which revolutionary was associated with Faizabad during the revolt?
  → Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah

Conclusion

The Revolt of 1857 remains a landmark event in Indian history. Though it failed, it awakened the spirit of resistance and set the foundation for future national movements that ultimately led to independence.