Write a short note on the Revolt of 1857 as why it is known as first war of independence.
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What exactly should the revolt of 1857 be called is a much debated question among the historians as well. Some historians like Sir John Seeley calls it a mere“Sepoy Mutiny” while others like like V.D. Savarkar calls it “The First War Of Independence” and as per the view of R.C. Majumdar is was “Neither First, Nor National War of Independence”. Each of the views of various other historians pretty much depend on their way of interpretation of the reason and the consequence of the war. There are various things that we need to know before drawing out any conclusion like:-
Calling it the First struggle against the British India would be a wrong thing to say as many peasants and religious revolts like Wahhabi Revolt, Santhali revolt etc occurred in whole of the India between the period of 1757–1857. But yes it was the first time it was happening at such a large scale.
Calling it the war of independence would not be right thing as well as there was no idea of One Nation India at that time. It was just against the atrocities of imperialistic rule of British India where each section like princely states, peasants, zamindars, religious leaders were fighting for their own reasons which later on became the biggest weakness of the struggle. One cohesive idea of nationalism was missing.
At the same time calling it a mere Sepoy mutiny would also be not right as well because it was not just the sepoys who were fighting but also the peasants, zamindars, princely leaders who were fighting alongside.
Also other things like limited extend of the spread of the revolt as South, East, West India did not participate in it, non participation of educated class, limited the impact of the struggle.
Hence we can conclude that it was more than a mere sepoy mutiny but less than the First War of Independence. But yes, it did have its impacts like it sowed the feeling of nationalism, and need of reforms to stand and fight against the British Imperialistic Rule as a nation.
Gaurav
Varanasi
Calling it the First struggle against the British India would be a wrong thing to say as many peasants and religious revolts like Wahhabi Revolt, Santhali revolt etc occurred in whole of the India between the period of 1757–1857. But yes it was the first time it was happening at such a large scale.
Calling it the war of independence would not be right thing as well as there was no idea of One Nation India at that time. It was just against the atrocities of imperialistic rule of British India where each section like princely states, peasants, zamindars, religious leaders were fighting for their own reasons which later on became the biggest weakness of the struggle. One cohesive idea of nationalism was missing.
At the same time calling it a mere Sepoy mutiny would also be not right as well because it was not just the sepoys who were fighting but also the peasants, zamindars, princely leaders who were fighting alongside.
Also other things like limited extend of the spread of the revolt as South, East, West India did not participate in it, non participation of educated class, limited the impact of the struggle.
Hence we can conclude that it was more than a mere sepoy mutiny but less than the First War of Independence. But yes, it did have its impacts like it sowed the feeling of nationalism, and need of reforms to stand and fight against the British Imperialistic Rule as a nation.
Gaurav
Varanasi
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