outbreak of revolt of 1857
Answers
The Revolt of 1857 was a valiant effort to overthrow the colonial power. It shook the foundations of the British rule in India. It is also known as the First War of Independence.
Indian soldiers were discontented with the British rule. The main reasons were:
1. Indian soldiers formed a major part of the British army. But they were not given any high posts or promotion.
2. The wages of the Indian soldiers were very less compared to the British soldiers.
3. Indian soldiers were sent across the sea to fight. It was against their religious sentiments.
4. In 1857 a new Enfield Rifle was introduced. Its cartridge had to be bitten to be used. It was said that the cartridge had been smeared with the fat of the cow and pig. Hindus regard the cow as sacred. Pork was offensive to the Muslims. So it hurt their sentiments.
It was crushed by the British in the following ways:
1. The British used superior weapons like the Enfield rifle while the mutineers used swords and spears. They had very few guns and muskets. The British had unlimited artillery at their disposal while the rebels had limited military supplies.
2. The British used the modern Railways and Telegraph to communicate and plan quickly.
3. The British gained the support of the Princely rulers and big Zamindars. They actively sided with the British.
Besides this, there were some other reasons for the failure of the revolt. They were:
1. There was no planning among the rebels.
2. The leadership was weak.
3. All sections of society did not participate in it.
4. The rebels did not put forth any alternative to feudalism.
The revolt of 1857 had many reasons which aggressively encourage the Indian soldiers and other citizens to revolt.
Indian soldiers were sent across the sea to fight. It was against their religious sentiments.
The "British East India company" had "upgraded to the "new Pattern" 1853" Enfield rifle, "which used greased paper cartridges" and to open up the bags and load guns the "sepoys had to bite" the paper with their teeth. It was rumored that this grease was made from made from a "mixture of beef tallow" and "pork lard".
The soldiers who were working in the army was either Hindu or Muslims and for both of them eating beef and pork was forbidden.
All the Indian soldiers were on low posts and only British soldiers were on high posts.