Question

explaination of the revolt of 1857

Answer 1

THE REVOLT OF 1857

CAUSES

1) Economic cause

a) Peasants suffered due to high revenue demands and the strict policy of its collection. The British took away a large part of his produce . Most often, the peasant and his family starved. Even when the crops failed, he was forced to pay the land revenue.

b) Artisans and craftsmen were ruined by unfair competition. In Britain, goods were manufactured on machines. Hence, they were cheaper. But the Indian artisans made goods by hand. These cost more than the machine made goods. People preferred to buy the British goods bcoz if their low prices. So, traditional industry of India got ruined.

c) The old ruling classes were displaced by the British. Due to the withdrawal of royal patronage, people who earned a living by following religious and cultural professions, such as priests , poets and musicians , lost their source of livelihood.

2) Political causes

a) The rulers who accepted the terms of Subsidiary Alliance lost their independence.

b) The strict enforcement of the Doctrine of Lapse turned Rani Lakshmi Bai against the British.

c) Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh in 1865. This annexation was seen as an act of betrayal and sentiments of the people , particularly the sepoys , because most of them were from Awadh.

3) Social causes

a) British passed laws banning sati and legalizing widow remarriage. Women were encouraged to take up western education .Some sections of Indian society looked at these measures with suspicion.

b) The British attitude of racial superiority led to much resentment. For example, Indians were not allowed to travel in first class compartments in trains.

c) Educated Indians were denied promotions and the opportunity to be appointed to high posts.

4) Religious causes

Indians had a fear that the East India Company wanted to convert all Indians to Christianity . Christian missionaries ere very active at this time. As many natives converted to Christianity, these conversions were taken as a proof of this fear.

5) Military causes

a) Sepoys were paid less than British soldiers. They were treated unfairly by the British officers.

b) All high posts in the army were reserved for the British. No Indian could rise higher than a subedar.

c) Sepoys were not allowed to wear caste and religious marks.

d) Foreign service allowance or 'BHATTA' which the sepoys got when they were sent to fight outside the country , was discontinued.

THE BIGGEST CAUSE WAS THE GREASED CARTRIDGES INCIDENT

The cartridges of the Enfield rifle was covered with a greased paper wrapper. News spread that the grease was made from the fat of cows and pigs. Hindus consider cows sacred. Muslims considered the pugs dirty and do not eat pork. Hence, sepoys of both the communities were enraged at such disrespect shown to their religious sentiments. They felt that it was an attempt to make them outcasts.

BEGINNING

1) On 29 March 1857, Mangal pandey fired at a British Commander and asked the other sepoys to join him to end the rule of the company . He was, however, soon arrested and hanged on 8 April.

2) On 24 April 1875, sepoys of the 3rd Bengal light cavalry , stationed at Meerut , refused to use the cartridges.

3) on 10 May 1875, these soldiers raised the banner of revolt. They killed the British officers , released the imprisoned sepoys, seized arms and ammunition, and set fire to British properties.

4) Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared as the Emperor of India and their leader by the sepoys.

SUPPRESSION

By mid -1875 , it appeared that the rule of the company was over , at least in North India. But the British reorganised and fought back. One by one , they stated recapturing the areas lost to the rebel sepoys. British commanders such as COLIN CAMPBELL AND HENRY HAVELOCK were particularly successful . In September 1857, British forces recaptured Delhi. This was a big blow to the rebels. Bahadur Shah Zafar was taken prisoner and deported to Rangoon in Burma. Bakht Khan , Rani Lakshmi Bai, Khan Bahadur Khan and Kunwar Singh died fighting the British. Nana Saheb and Begum Hazrat Mahal escaped to Nepal and continued the struggle. Tatya Tope was arrested and hanged.

THE REVOLT FAILED DUE TO THE FOLLOWING CAUSES :-

1) Many Indian rulers refused to help the rebels.

2) The revolt was not organised properly.

3) The leaders of the movement were weak. Most of the leaders fought to liberate their own territories only.

4) The rebels were short of weapons and finances.
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Hope it helps!!!

Answer 2

Heya!!!

The causes of revolt of 1857 are:-

Economic Cause
Socio-Religious Cause
Political Cause
Military Cause
Immediate Cause

Military Cause

1 Low salaries to the indian soldiers
2 No chance of any promotions

Political cause

1 Doctrine Of Lapse Policy
2 Annexation Of Indian States

Socio-Religious Cause

1 Abolition Of Sati
2 Spread Of Christianity 

Immediate Cause

There is only one cause in this and it is the main immediate cause

1 USING OF THE GREASED CARTRIDGES WITH FAT OF PIG AND COW.

Economic Cause

1 Ruining of indian industries and handicraft
2 Exploitation of natural resources and wealth

The Beginning:-

On 29 March 1857, Mangal pandey, a Brahmin sepoy refused to use the greased cartridges later he was arrested and executed.

Centres of revolt of 1857

1.Meerut
2 Delhi
3 Kanpur
4 Lucknow
5 Jhansi

Meerut:- Mangal Pandey
Delhi - Bahadur Shah Zafar 
Kanpur- Nana Sahib 
Lucknow- Begum Hazarat Mahal
Jhansi- Rani Lakshmibai

In Kanpur Nana Sahib was denied his pensions by britishers and was declared a peshwa and led the rising.

In Lucknow Begum Hazarat Mahal was the regent of her son led the rising.

In Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai was a brave and patriotic women and was disallowed to adopt a son.

Revolt of 1857 was the first war of indian independence for the following reasons:-

1 First this revolt had the people's support behind that's why it had spread so suddenly.

2 Secondly both the hindus and muslims fought against the british rule together as they were inspired with nationalist feelings.

3 thirdly people from all walks of life supported the revolting soldiers as well as the rulers to throw british out of their country.

The result of rising.

1 The british parliament passed a new act called THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT. And transferred the powers of the east india company to the british crown.

2 All rulling chiefs were assured that their  territory will not be annexed in the future.

3 It was decided that the porpotions of the indian soldiers would be reduced.

4 the land and property of muslims were confiscated on large scale and they were treated with suspicion and hostility.

5 the british decided to respect the customs. religious and social practices of people of india.

6 policies were made to protect the landlords and the zamindars and give them security of rights over their land

Failure of revolt of 1857:-

1 The revolt was not organized properly

2 Indian rulers and the people had not accepted the Company's rule

3 It was an outburst of nationalist sentiments 


Hope this helps!!