Question

Some Nationalist historians have called the revolt of 1857 the First War of Independence. However many modern historians refute this claim by saying that neither was it was the first nor was it was a war for independence. What do they mean

Answer 1

When they say that it "wasn't the first" they mean that there were many small revolutions and movements before the revolt of 1857 which were either not successful or were not brought in the limelight. As to when they say that it "wasn't a war of independence" they mean that it was a revolution against the cruel british rule NOT a war for independence. Some historians also say that the revolt of 1857 was merely a 'Sepoy mutiny'. I, however, do not agree with the fact that it was MERELY a sepoy mutiny, because it was a rebellion joined by many.

Answer 2

Answer:

Many modern historians do not agree that the revolt of 1857 was the first nor was it a war of independence. For them it was Sepoy Mutiny as it has been started by a group of sepoys.It cannot be called as the first war of independence because many small uprisings did take place from time to time against the British in india.�Moreover, the revolt started mainly in the army cantonment for the use of greased catridges. It was not a planned or organised movement against the british. The spirit of nationalism did not even formed its base in india till the outbreak of the revolt. The historians failed to recognise the involvement of a vast section of the indians who participated in this struggle. For them the main focus was on the Indian sepoys and their demand to remove the greased catridges