Question

The Revolt of 1857 sowed the seed of nationalism in India. Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

The Indian Mutiny of 1857-59 was a widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against the rule of British East India Company in India which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British crown.

The Revolt

It was the first expression of organised resistance against the British East India Company

It began as a revolt of the sepoys of the British East India Company’s army but eventually secured the participation of the masses.

The revolt is known by several names: the Sepoy Mutiny (by the British Historians), the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion (by the Indian Historians), the Revolt of 1857, the Indian Insurrection, and the First War of Independence (by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar).

Causes of The Revolt

Political Cause

British policy of expansion: The political causes of the revolt were the British policy of expansion through the Doctrine of Lapse and direct annexation.

A large number of Indian rulers and chiefs were dislodged, thus arousing fear in the minds of other ruling families who apprehended a similar fate.

Rani Lakshmi Bai’s adopted son was not permitted to sit on the throne of Jhansi.

Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Jaitpur, Sambalpur and Udaipur were also annexed.

The annexation of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie on the pretext of maladministration left thousands of nobles, officials, retainers and soldiers jobless.

This measure converted Awadh, a loyal state, into a hotbed of discontent and intrigue.