1857 REVOLT
The British economic policy was the most important factor for the outbreak. The impoverished peasantry, the deposed zamindars and the unemployed youth in urban centres were the sections who participated in large number
The British policy of expansionism form the beginning was devoid of ethics and values. Lord Warren Hastings followed 'ring fencing policy' (creating friendly states around enemy states and occupying both in course of time). Lord Wellesley introduced Subsidiary Alliance System and forced upon the native princess, conquered more than half of British India with the same system. Lord Dalhousie with his 'Doctrime of Lapse' annexed the Indian States. Satara in 1848 A.D. Jaitpur in 1849 A.D., Sambalpur in 1850 A.D., Hill state of Bhagat in 1852 A.D. Jhansi in 1853 A.D. and Nagpur in 1854 A.D. However the stats. Sambalpur and Bhagat were restored back. He abolished the titles of native Nawabs, refused to sanation persion to Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the last Peshwa, Bajirao II after the death of the Peshwa in 1851 A.D.. declared that Red Fort belonged to the British and occupied, the state of Ayodhya in 1856 A.D. deposing Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab on grounds of mal - administration.
Lord Canning the successor of Dalhousie declared that Mughal Emperor would not be permitted to use the royal title, Jille illahi (The shadow of Gog).
- In the social sphere, the progressive legislation of the British was held in contempt and suspicion by the majority Hindus and Muslims.
- In the social sphere, the progressive legislation of the British was held in contempt and suspicion by the majority Hindus and Muslims.
- In 1802 A.D. Lord Wellesley abolished the custom of female infanticide practiced by the Rajputs with his Regulation VI.
- In 1829 A.D. Lord William Bentinck abolished the custom of sati at the instance of Ram Mohan Roy with his regulation XVII.
- In 1856 A.D Lord Dalhouie passed Window Remarriage Act at the instance of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
However the most controversial Act was the 1856 Religious Disabilities Act or Indian Inheritance Act that relained property rights for the converted against the spirit of Dharmashastras.
Further, the company Administration sanctioned aid to the Christian missionaries in the form of grants.
The company historian William Grant declared in the house of Commons that "It was divinely ordained task to transform India into Christianity"
GRIEVANCES OF THE SEPOYS :
The Sepooys revolted for the first time in 1675 A.D. The Burhampore Regiment was the first to revolt against Roberi Clive. It was also called White Mulinyes most of the Sepoys who revolted were English.
It 1806 A.D. the Vellore Sepay Mutiny had taken place in support of Tipu Sultan and his family. The reasons for the revolt were-
- Sepoys were discriminated No Inian Sepoy was promoted beyond the rank of a Jatendar.
- Denied additional allowance called Batta granted only to English Sepoys.
- In 1856 A.D. Service Enlishtment Act was passed prohibiting the Sepoys from observing rituals and customs in military camps.
In 1857 Jan The Royal Enfield Gun was introduced to be operated by greased catridges. The Sepoys refused to use the catridge as they suspected cow and pig fat were used. On March 29. 1857 Mangal Pandey and his cousin Iswar Pandey of the 34 Native Infantry Regiment at Barackpore organised the revolt. On May 10.1857 Capt Bakth Khan of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Meerut led the revolt .On 11th May. 1857. the Sepoys occupied Delhi. declared Bahadur Shah as the Emperor of India and head of the revolt.
CENTRAL REGION:
1. Arrah in Bihar - Kunwar Singh and his brother Amar Singh the zamindars of Jagdishpur organised the revolt.
2. Bareilly in UP - Khan Bahadur Khan. the head of the Rohillas was the leader of the revolt.
3. Delhi - Bahadur Shah was the titular head, Cpt. Bakht Khan was the real head of the revolt.
4. Faisabad - Maulvi Ahmedullah, the head of Wahabi sect led the revolt in support of Begum Hazrat Mahal, wife of Nawab Wajid Ali, It was a brilliant example of communal harmony and faint resistance of Hindus and Muslim against the British under his leadership.
The Muslims handed over the disputed site to the Hindus.
5. Jhansi - Laxmi Bai, The window of Gangadhar Rao organised the revolt for the sake of her adopted son, Manohar Rao.
6. Kanpur - the main centre of the revolt Nana Sabib actually called Dondu Pandit led the revolt assisted by Anna sahed Azimullah and Tantia Tope Nane perpetuated atrocities on all European in Kanpur.
7. Lucknow - Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt for the take of her son, Berizis Qadr.
SUPPRESSION OF THE REVOLT-
Lord Canning was the Governor General Collin Campbell was the Chief Commander of operations. Sir John Nicholson got back Delhi but died in the fight. William Taylor and Vincent Eyre defeated Kunwar Singh. Collin Campbell got back Kanpur. Sir Hugh Rose defeated Lakshmi Bai, Nana Sahib and Khan Bahadur Khan and Begum Hazrat Mahal took asylum in Nepal. Maulvi Ahmedullah was killed by the Raja of Puwain. Tantia Tope offered guerilla warfare was handed over to the English by Man Singh, a friend of Scindia was executed on April 18,1858.
The main cause for the failure of the revolt was lack of co-ordination among the leaders.
RESULTS OF THE REVOLT:
- Lord Canning held the Allahabad Durbar and read out the 'Queen's proclamation' which promised no further conquests in India; No Further interference in the internal affairs of the Indians and that Indians would be promoted in decision making.
Accordingly, the 1861 Indian Councils Act were passed.
- The administration of the Company ended, Its 2 agencies Count of Directors and Board of Control were abolished.
- The office of the Governor General also became the office of Viceroy (He was Governor General when he administered British India. He acts as Viceroy when he deals with princely States) Lord Canning was the 1st Governor General-Cum-Viceroy.
An agency of 15 members called Indian Council was created in London to monitor the functioning of Viceroy and his staff. It was to be headed by a Secretary of State for India (Lord Charles Wood became the 1st Secretary of State for India).
- There was a marked change in the Divide and Rule Policy of British. After 1857, they promoted Muslims against Hindus
- They divided the Indian Army on regional, racial and communal ground.
- To cover up the losses during the revolt, form 1860 onwards, Income Tax was levied.
The Revolt was described as mere "Sepoy Mutiny" by the British historians like Col. Malleson. For Lord Canning it was a "revolution". For nationalist historian, V.D. Savarkar, it was the Chand it was the last attempt of the medieval order to regain their lost power, prestige and privileges.
The Mutiny was
= Not Indian
= For vested interests
= Geographically centered around Central Provinces Madras/Bombay presidency were largely unaffected
= Sikbs Gorkhas intellectuals, Princely States supported the British.
= All Communities at largest didn't participate