INDIAN REVOLUTION OF 1857

The Great Revolution of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 was a product of the character and policies of British colonial rule . The causes of revolt emerged from all aspects-socio-cultural , economic and political . Moreover , it was not an isolated rebellion rather a chain of rebellions were already taken place in different areas of their territory , prior to 1857 . 

Early Precedents 

1. In 1806 , the sepoys at Vellore mutinied , but were crushed with terrible violence . 

2. In 1824 , the 47th Regiment of Sepoys at Barrackpore refused to go to Burma by the sea-route . 

3. In 1844 , seven battalions revolted on the question of bhatta and salaries . 

4. There were mutinies in 1825 ( Assam ) , 1838 ( Sholapur ) , 1844 ( Sind ) and 1849-59 ( Punjab ) as well . 

The Causes of Revolt 1857 

Immediate Cause 

The issue of greased cartridges and military grievances has been over emphasized , as the factor for the Revolt of 1857 . The grease was in some instances composed of beef and pig fat . The sepoys , Hindu as well as Muslim , were enraged . The use of the greased cartridges would endanger their religion . However , the recent research has proved that the cartridge was neither the only cause nor even the most important . In fact , the multiple cause i.e. social , religious , political and economic worked together to produce the rebellion . 

Social and Religious Causes 

1. The British had abandoned its policy of non-interference in the socio-religious life of the Indians. Abolition of Sati ( 1929 ) , Hindu Widow Remarriage Act ( 1856 ) were such as direct interference of colonial power into Hindu religious beliefs . 

2. Christian missionaries were allowed to enter India and carry on with their mission of proselytizing by an act in 1850 . 

3. The Religious Disabilities Act of 1850 modified the traditional Hindu law . According to it , the change in religion would not debar a son from inheriting the property of his father . 

Economic Causes 

British rule led to breakdown of the village self-sufficiency , commercialization of agriculture , which burdened the peasantry , adoption of free trade imperialism from 1800 , de-industrialization and drain of wealth all of which led to overall decline of economy . 

Military Grievances

1. The extension of British dominion in India had adversely affected the service condition of the sepoys . The were required to serve in area away from their homes without the payment of extra bhatta . 

2. An important causes of military discontent was the General Service Enlistment Act , 1856 , which made it compulsory for the sepoys to cross the seas , whenever required . The Post Officer Act of 1854 , withdrew the free postage facility for them . 

Political Causes 

1. The last major extension of the British Indian territory took place during the time of Dalhousie announced in 1849 , that the successor of Bahadur Shah II would have to leave the Red Fort . 

2. The annexation of Bengal and Udaipur were however , cancelled and they were restored to their ruling houses . 

3. When Dalhousie wanted to apply the Doctrine of Lapse to Karauli ( Rajputana ) , it was overruled by the Court of Directors . 

Doctrine of Lapse 

1. According to the policy of Doctrine of Lapse , introduced by Lord Dalhousie , the adopted sons of the deceased kings were de-recognized as heirs to the throne , which subsequently led to the annexation of large number of kingdoms . 

2. Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1856 , on the ground of misrule . The annexation of Awadh was also represented by Bengal Army , three-fifth of whom belonged to Awadh . Sir James Outram , who had been the British resident in Awadh since 1854 , was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner in 1856 , but he was replaced by Sir Henry Lawrence . He was the Chief Commissioner when revolt broke out . 

3. Dalhousie abolished the titles of the Nawab of Carnatic and the Raja of Travancore and refused to grant the pension to the adopted son ( Dhondu Pant,

better known as Nana Sahib ) of the last Peshwa , ( Baji Rao II ) after the latter's death in 1851 . 

4. Canning announced in 1856 , that the successors of Bahadur Shah were to be known only as princes and not as kings . 

Agrarian Causes 

1. The Summary Settlement of 1856 , which was first introduced in the North-Western provinces , was extended to Awadh . 

2. Heavy over-assessment of land revenue impoverished the peasants . 

3. The introduction of the institution of private property rights in land by which land became a commodity , which could be bought , sold , rented or leased . 

The Course of Revolt

March 1857 

1. The revolt was sparked on 29th March , 1857 . The 19th infantry at Berhampur ( Barrackpore ) , refused to use the newly introduced enfield rifle . The infantry was disbanded . Colonel Mitchell was its Commanding Officer . 

2. Mangal Pandey , a Sepoy of the 34th Native Infantry at Barrackpore attacked and fired at his British officers . The mutiny was suppressed and the leader of the mutiny , Mangal Pandey , was finally trial and executed . 

April - May 1857

1. 90 men of the 3rd Native Cavalry stationed at Meerut refused to use the greased cartridge . 85 of them were dismissed and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on 9th May . 

2. The next day , on 10th May , the entire Indian garrison revolted . On 11th May , 1857 , a band of sepoys from Meerut , who had defied and killed the European officers the previous day , marched to the Red Fort . 

3. Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed the Shahenshahe-Hindustan . The Sepoy then set out to capture and control the imperial city of Delhi . 

Areas Affected by the Revolt 

Very soon , the rebellion spread throughout Northern and Central India at Lucknow , Allahabad, Kanpur , Bareilly , Banaras , in some parts of Bihar , Jhansi and other places . However , the Southern India remained quiet . Mutinies took place at a few places in Punjab , but Sir John Lawrence ( Chief Commissioner of Punjab ) easily put them down . 

Reasons for Failure of Revolt 

1. The poor organization and lack of coordination among the rebels were perhaps the most important cause of its failure . English had better resources , modern weapons and materials of war . 

2. Telegraph services kept Commander-in-Chief informed about the movement of rebels . 

3. Lack of unity among Indians , many ruling chiefs and big zamindars , actively helped British to suppress the revolt . 

4. The modern educated Indians also did not support the revolt . 

5. Neither the leaders nor sepoys were inspired by any high ideals of patriotism and nationalism . 

Participation of Peasants , Zamindars and Weavers in the Revolt of 1857 

1. Excessive demands of revenue was the major cause of hardships of Indians in general peasants and zamindars in particular . Peasant participation in the rebellion was provoked first by over-taxation and secondly , by the fact that the sepoys themselves came from the villages . 

2. Apart from this , the Free Trade Imperialist Policy meant that Indians , particularly spinners and weavers , were thrown out of employment as more than a quarter of the total textile consumption of India was now met by imports from Britain .