Revolt1857

THE GREAT REVOLT

THE FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

The Sepoy Mutiny was a violent and very The Sepoy Mutiny was a violent and very bloody uprising against British Rule in 1857. It bloody uprising against British Rule in 1857. It is also known by other names: the Indian is also known by other names: the Indian Mutiny, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, or the Mutiny, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, or the Indian Revolt of 1857.Indian Revolt of 1857.

In Britain and in the West, it was almost In Britain and in the West, it was almost always portrayed as a series of unreasonable always portrayed as a series of unreasonable and bloodthirsty uprisings spurred by and bloodthirsty uprisings spurred by falsehoods about religious insensitivity.falsehoods about religious insensitivity.

In India, it has been viewed quite differently, In India, it has been viewed quite differently, and events of 1857 have been considered the and events of 1857 have been considered the first outbreak of an independence movement first outbreak of an independence movement against British rule.against British rule.

The Revolt 1857The Revolt 1857

Mangal PandeyMangal Pandey

The Great Revolt The Great Revolt 18571857

THE OUT BURSTTHE OUT BURSTOn 9On 9thth May 1857, on the parade May 1857, on the parade

ground of Meerut, 85 Indian ground of Meerut, 85 Indian troopers were court martialled.troopers were court martialled.

Their Crime: -These troopers had refused to load their rifles with the new cartridges.

ABOUT THE NEW ABOUT THE NEW CARTRIDGECARTRIDGE

A rumour had spread that A rumour had spread that the new cartridge contained the new cartridge contained the fat of cow and pig.the fat of cow and pig.

HINDUS COW WAS SACRED

MUSLIMS PIG MEAT WAS FOBIDDEN BY QURAN

SPREAD OF THE REVOLTSPREAD OF THE REVOLT

On 10On 10thth May 1857 men of 3 May 1857 men of 3rdrd Light Light Cavalry stormed the barracks jail and Cavalry stormed the barracks jail and released their comrades. released their comrades.

Soon the Indian civilians joined the Soon the Indian civilians joined the mutineers and killed about 50 mutineers and killed about 50 Europeans.Europeans.

The news spread like wild fire. The The news spread like wild fire. The already simmering anger against already simmering anger against British burst out into a violent storm.British burst out into a violent storm.

Causes of the Revolt of Causes of the Revolt of 18571857

Political CausesPolitical CausesSocial CausesSocial CausesReligious CausesReligious CausesEconomic CausesEconomic CausesAdministrative CausesAdministrative CausesMilitary CausesMilitary Causes

POLITICAL CAUSESPOLITICAL CAUSES

Lord Dalhousie’s policy Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation and the of annexation and the Doctrine of lapse had Doctrine of lapse had made the Indian rulers made the Indian rulers angry and insecure.angry and insecure.

The Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai was not allowed to The Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai was not allowed to adopt a son.adopt a son.

In case of disputed interpretation, the decision In case of disputed interpretation, the decision of the East India Company was binding & that of the East India Company was binding & that of the court of the Directors was final.of the court of the Directors was final.

Regal titles of the Nawab of Carnatic & Tanjore Regal titles of the Nawab of Carnatic & Tanjore were abolished. The imperial title of the Moghul were abolished. The imperial title of the Moghul Emperor was discontinued after Bahadur Shah Emperor was discontinued after Bahadur Shah II.II.

The pension of Nana Saheb (Peshwa Baji Rao The pension of Nana Saheb (Peshwa Baji Rao II’s adopted son) was stopped.II’s adopted son) was stopped.

Nana SahebNana Saheb

Rani of JhansiRani of Jhansi

Rani of JhansiRani of Jhansi

In case of a dispute, the In case of a dispute, the decision of the East India decision of the East India Company was binding Company was binding and that of the court of and that of the court of the directors was final.the directors was final.

The Muslim feelings had The Muslim feelings had been badly hurt when after been badly hurt when after the death of Bahadur Shah the death of Bahadur Shah II, Lord Canning took away II, Lord Canning took away regal titles and Moghul regal titles and Moghul palaces.palaces.

Thousands became Thousands became unemployed when the unemployed when the English, under Lord English, under Lord Dalhousie annexed Dalhousie annexed Oudh.Oudh.

Namaste & Namaste & Welcome!!!Welcome!!!

In Today’s Lecture… In Today’s Lecture…

THE REVOLT OF 1857THE REVOLT OF 1857 Social CausesSocial Causes Religious CausesReligious Causes

SOCIAL CAUSESSOCIAL CAUSES

The British were The British were rude and used rude and used abusive and abusive and insultive language.insultive language.

The practice of sati The practice of sati was abolished. Child was abolished. Child marriage, infanticide marriage, infanticide and polygamy were and polygamy were not allowed.not allowed.

The European juries The European juries allowed European allowed European criminals with little criminals with little or no punishment.or no punishment.

RELIGIOUS CAUSESRELIGIOUS CAUSES

Hindus and Hindus and Muslims were Muslims were forced into forced into Christianity.Christianity.

British Officers British Officers abused the name abused the name of Ram and of Ram and Muhammad.Muhammad.

Idolatry was Idolatry was denounced. Hindu denounced. Hindu deities were deities were ridiculed.ridiculed.

Namaste & Namaste & Welcome!!!Welcome!!!

In Today’s Lecture… In Today’s Lecture…

THE REVOLT OF 1857THE REVOLT OF 1857 Economic CausesEconomic Causes Administrative CausesAdministrative Causes Military CausesMilitary Causes

ECONOMIC CAUSESECONOMIC CAUSES

The British had drained The British had drained India of all her wealth India of all her wealth and natural resources and natural resources by selfish economic by selfish economic policies.policies.

ADMINISTRATIVE CAUSESADMINISTRATIVE CAUSES

Unrest spread among Unrest spread among the landlords of Bengal the landlords of Bengal when William Bentinck when William Bentinck took away rent free took away rent free estates from them.estates from them.

Lord Dalhousie Lord Dalhousie confiscated confiscated thousands of jagirs thousands of jagirs in the Deccan.in the Deccan.

After Oudh was After Oudh was annexed, the estates annexed, the estates of Zamindars and of Zamindars and Taluqdars were Taluqdars were confiscated.confiscated.

High posts and High posts and handsome salaries were handsome salaries were given to the British. This given to the British. This caused frustration caused frustration amongst Indians.amongst Indians.

MILITARY CAUSESMILITARY CAUSES

Immense Immense discrimination discrimination between the between the Indians and the Indians and the British.British.

The Indian sepoys were The Indian sepoys were deprived of high salaries deprived of high salaries and promotions. The and promotions. The highest post for an Indian highest post for an Indian was that of the Subedar.was that of the Subedar.

New recruits had to New recruits had to travel across the travel across the sea. It was sea. It was forbidden as per forbidden as per Hindu belief.Hindu belief.

The British army The British army exposed its vulnerability exposed its vulnerability in the First Afghan war, in the First Afghan war, the Sikh war and the the Sikh war and the Crimean war.Crimean war.

The Indian sepoys The Indian sepoys were required to were required to work far off without work far off without extra extra BhattaBhatta or or payment.payment.

The privilege of free The privilege of free postage enjoyed by the postage enjoyed by the sepoys was withdrawn sepoys was withdrawn with the passing of the with the passing of the Post Office Act 1854.Post Office Act 1854.

IMPORTANT CENTRES OF IMPORTANT CENTRES OF REVOLTREVOLT

MEERUTMEERUTDELHIDELHIOUDHOUDHKANPURKANPURJHANSI & GWALIORJHANSI & GWALIOR

MEERUTMEERUT

9 May 1857, 85 Sepoys were court 9 May 1857, 85 Sepoys were court martialled.martialled.

They had refused to use new cartridges.They had refused to use new cartridges. Next day their companions attacked the jail.Next day their companions attacked the jail. Sepoys were freed.Sepoys were freed. Officers & Europeans were killed.Officers & Europeans were killed. Revolters headed towards Delhi.Revolters headed towards Delhi.

On 12On 12thth May 1857, Delhi was seized by rebels. May 1857, Delhi was seized by rebels. Some Europeans were shot dead.Some Europeans were shot dead. Bhahadur Shah II was persuaded to support.Bhahadur Shah II was persuaded to support. Loss of Delhi was a prestige loss for British.Loss of Delhi was a prestige loss for British. On 14On 14thth September 1857, British attacked. September 1857, British attacked. On 20On 20thth September 1857, British regained Delhi. September 1857, British regained Delhi. Bahadur Shah & Zeenat Mahal fled to Humayun’s tomb.Bahadur Shah & Zeenat Mahal fled to Humayun’s tomb. But were followed & captured by General Hudson.But were followed & captured by General Hudson. 3 sons killed & the king & queen exiled to Rangoon.3 sons killed & the king & queen exiled to Rangoon. The king died in 1862. The king died in 1862.

DELHIDELHI

RED FORT, DELHIRED FORT, DELHI

ZEENAT MAHAL & BAHADUR SHAH ZEENAT MAHAL & BAHADUR SHAH IIII

GENERAL HUDSONGENERAL HUDSON

Oudh annexed by Lord Dalhousie.Oudh annexed by Lord Dalhousie. The Nawab of Oudh exiled to Calcutta.The Nawab of Oudh exiled to Calcutta. But his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal and 11 year old son continued to live But his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal and 11 year old son continued to live

in Oudh but in very poor condition.in Oudh but in very poor condition. So people of Oudh were angry.So people of Oudh were angry. The revolt broke out on 4The revolt broke out on 4thth June 1857. June 1857. Henry Lawrence, the British Resident, with some Europeans with some Henry Lawrence, the British Resident, with some Europeans with some

hundred sepoys took refuge in a Residency.hundred sepoys took refuge in a Residency. Begum seized Residency and killed Henry & some others.Begum seized Residency and killed Henry & some others. In November, Sir Colin Campbell (Commander-in-Chief) attacked with In November, Sir Colin Campbell (Commander-in-Chief) attacked with

Gorkha regiment.Gorkha regiment. In March 1858, the city was finally recaptured.In March 1858, the city was finally recaptured. The rebels driven to Nepal border to die in bad climate or captured by The rebels driven to Nepal border to die in bad climate or captured by

Gorkhas.Gorkhas.

OUDH (LUCKNOW)OUDH (LUCKNOW)

BEGUM HAZRAT MAHALBEGUM HAZRAT MAHAL

COLIN CAMPBELLCOLIN CAMPBELL

Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao was proclaimed the Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao was proclaimed the Peshwa.Peshwa.

He led the revolt in Kanpur with Tantia Tope, his assistant.He led the revolt in Kanpur with Tantia Tope, his assistant. After a fierce battle, General Sir Hugh Wheeler surrendered on 27After a fierce battle, General Sir Hugh Wheeler surrendered on 27 thth

June 1857.June 1857. Nana Saheb assured safe passage of British to Allahabad.Nana Saheb assured safe passage of British to Allahabad. General James O’Neil (At Allahabad & Banaras) inhumanly ill-treated General James O’Neil (At Allahabad & Banaras) inhumanly ill-treated

Indians.Indians. Angry Indians killed the passing British citizens.Angry Indians killed the passing British citizens. In June 1857, The General defeated Nana Sahib.In June 1857, The General defeated Nana Sahib. In November 1857, Nana Sahib & Tantia Tope recaptured Kanpur back.In November 1857, Nana Sahib & Tantia Tope recaptured Kanpur back. On 6On 6thth December 1857 General Campbell reoccupied Kanpur. December 1857 General Campbell reoccupied Kanpur. Nana fled to Nepal (died there) and Tantia joined Rani Laxmibai.Nana fled to Nepal (died there) and Tantia joined Rani Laxmibai.

KANPURKANPUR

NANA SAHIBNANA SAHIB

TANTIA TOPETANTIA TOPE

In June 1857, the troops at Jhansi revolted.In June 1857, the troops at Jhansi revolted. Rani Laxmibai (widow of Raja Gangadhar Rao) declared ruler.Rani Laxmibai (widow of Raja Gangadhar Rao) declared ruler. Tantia Tope joined her after Kanpur was lost.Tantia Tope joined her after Kanpur was lost. On 3On 3rdrd April 1858, Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Jhansi. April 1858, Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Jhansi. Laxmibai escaped to Kalpi (near Gwalior) where Tantia joined her.Laxmibai escaped to Kalpi (near Gwalior) where Tantia joined her. Both marched to Gwalior.Both marched to Gwalior. Sir Hugh Rose also marched to Gwalior and captured in June Sir Hugh Rose also marched to Gwalior and captured in June

1858.1858. Rani died fighting bravely.Rani died fighting bravely. Tantia escaped southward but was betrayed by his friend Man Tantia escaped southward but was betrayed by his friend Man

Singh.Singh. Tantia was finally hanged.Tantia was finally hanged.

JHANSI & GWALIORJHANSI & GWALIOR

RANI LAXMIBAIRANI LAXMIBAI

OTHER CENTRES OF OTHER CENTRES OF REVOLTREVOLT

Bareilly:Bareilly:Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed himself the ruler.Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed himself the ruler.

Bihar:Bihar:Zamindar Kunwar Singh raised the revoltZamindar Kunwar Singh raised the revolt

Banaras:Banaras:Banarasis organised a rebellion.Banarasis organised a rebellion.

(All were subsequently suppressed by British)(All were subsequently suppressed by British)

OUTCOME OUTCOME

The revolt was The revolt was completely completely suppressed and suppressed and crushed by July crushed by July 1858.1858.

CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE REVOLTREVOLT

The revolt was localized and was poorly The revolt was localized and was poorly organized.organized.

The British had better resources than The British had better resources than the rebels.the rebels.

The revolt was feudal in character.The revolt was feudal in character.The leaders lacked military skills.The leaders lacked military skills.The native princes did not join the The native princes did not join the

revolt.revolt.

MAJOR IMPACT OF THE REVOLTMAJOR IMPACT OF THE REVOLT

… … the revolt was considered to be an the revolt was considered to be an awakener and the first effort towards awakener and the first effort towards

the freedom and independence.the freedom and independence.

…the British just considered it to be a mere military revolt.

IMPACT OF THE REVOLTIMPACT OF THE REVOLT

1) The control of Indian administration 1) The control of Indian administration was transferred form the company to was transferred form the company to the crown by the GOI Act 1858the crown by the GOI Act 1858


2) The Queen promised to respect 2) The Queen promised to respect Rights & dignity. General amnesty to Rights & dignity. General amnesty to all offenders except murders.all offenders except murders.


3) The Indian army was reorganised. 3) The Indian army was reorganised. Included Sikhs, Gurkhas & Pathans.Included Sikhs, Gurkhas & Pathans.


4) The Mughal dynasty ended with the 4) The Mughal dynasty ended with the extinction of Bahadur Shah II & was extinction of Bahadur Shah II & was replaced by British Crown.replaced by British Crown.

The Last Mughal EmperorThe Last Mughal Emperor


5) Freedom of religion granted.5) Freedom of religion granted.


6) As per Queen’s Proclamation, more 6) As per Queen’s Proclamation, more Indians joined the administration.Indians joined the administration.


7) Racial animosity increased.7) Racial animosity increased.


8) The British introduced the policy of 8) The British introduced the policy of Divide & Rule that led to the partition Divide & Rule that led to the partition of India in 1947.of India in 1947.


9) The British exploited the economy 9) The British exploited the economy further.further.

Presented by :Presented by :

Education

Revolt1857