About the Revolt of 1857
The Revolt of 1857 was the first great and widespread challenge to British rule in India. It began as a mutiny of sepoys on 10 May 1857 at Meerut and spread quickly through North and Central India. It is called the First War of Independence by V. D. Savarkar, the Sepoy Mutiny by many British writers, and the Great Revolt by others. Although it failed, it ended the rule of the East India Company and brought India directly under the British Crown.
Political Causes
The British policy of annexation created deep fear among Indian rulers. Lord Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex Satara, Jhansi, Nagpur and other states, and the rich state of Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the excuse of misgovernment. The adoption of heirs was disallowed, and pensions and titles were abolished. Many rulers and soldiers therefore felt that the British wanted to destroy Indian states and traditions.
Economic, Social and Religious Causes
Heavy land revenue, the ruin of artisans due to British goods, the drain of wealth and the loss of employment made people unhappy. The spread of Western education, missionary activity and social reforms created the fear that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity and destroy their religion and caste. These fears were strengthened by laws such as the abolition of sati and the Widow Remarriage Act.
Military Causes and the Immediate Cause
Indian sepoys were paid less than the British, were denied promotion, and felt humiliated. The General Service Enlistment Act (1856) required them to serve overseas, which was against their religious beliefs. The immediate spark was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle, whose cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. Soldiers had to bite the cartridge, which offended both Hindus and Muslims. On 29 March 1857 Mangal Pandey of the 34th Native Infantry attacked his officers at Barrackpore and was hanged on 8 April 1857.
Course of the Revolt
The revolt began at Meerut on 10 May 1857. The sepoys marched to Delhi and proclaimed the aged Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader. Delhi became the centre of the uprising. The British recaptured Delhi in September 1857, and Bahadur Shah was arrested and exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862. The revolt also spread to Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, Arrah and other places. Kanpur was led by Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope; Lucknow by Begum Hazrat Mahal; Jhansi by Rani Lakshmibai; and Bihar by Kunwar Singh. Rani Lakshmibai died fighting near Gwalior on 17 June 1858.
Important Leaders and Centres
- Delhi: Bahadur Shah Zafar and Bakht Khan.
- Kanpur: Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope and Azimullah Khan.
- Lucknow (Awadh): Begum Hazrat Mahal and Birjis Qadr.
- Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai.
- Bihar (Arrah/Jagdishpur): Kunwar Singh.
- Bareilly: Khan Bahadur Khan.
- Faizabad: Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah.
Why the Revolt Failed
The revolt failed because it had no central leadership and no common plan, it was localised and did not spread to the whole country, and many rulers such as the Sikhs, Gurkhas, Scindia, the Nizam and the Rajputs helped the British. The British had better arms, money, discipline and the telegraph, while the rebels were poorly organised. The revolt also did not have the support of all classes.
Results of the Revolt
The most important result was the end of the East India Company’s rule. By the Government of India Act of 1858, the Company was abolished and India came under the direct rule of the British Crown. Queen Victoria issued a Proclamation on 1 November 1858, and Lord Canning became the first Viceroy. The British reorganised the army, promised to respect the treaties of Indian princes, and followed a policy of divide and rule. The revolt became a source of inspiration for the later freedom movement.
Timeline of the Revolt of 1857
- 1856: Annexation of Awadh; General Service Enlistment Act.
- 29 March 1857: Mangal Pandey attacks officers at Barrackpore.
- 8 April 1857: Mangal Pandey hanged.
- 10 May 1857: Revolt begins at Meerut.
- September 1857: British recapture Delhi.
- 17 June 1858: Rani Lakshmibai dies near Gwalior.
- 1 November 1858: Queen Victoria’s Proclamation; Crown rule begins.
Main Facts about the Revolt of 1857 (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Beginning: 10 May 1857, Meerut.
- Immediate cause: greased cartridges of the Enfield rifle.
- First martyr: Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore, 29 March 1857).
- Proclaimed leader: Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor.
- Kanpur leader: Nana Saheb with Tantia Tope.
- Lucknow leader: Begum Hazrat Mahal.
- Jhansi leader: Rani Lakshmibai.
- Bihar leader: Kunwar Singh.
- End of Company rule: Government of India Act, 1858.
- First Viceroy: Lord Canning.
Important Persons and Terms
- Mangal Pandey: sepoy whose action sparked the revolt.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar: last Mughal emperor; nominal leader of the revolt.
- Nana Saheb: leader at Kanpur; adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
- Tantia Tope: brave general of the revolt.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal: leader of the revolt in Awadh.
- Rani Lakshmibai: Rani of Jhansi; symbol of resistance.
- Kunwar Singh: leader of the revolt in Bihar.
- Doctrine of Lapse: Dalhousie’s policy of annexing states without a natural heir.
- First War of Independence: name given by V. D. Savarkar.
Why This Topic Matters for Exams
Common questions: When did the Revolt of 1857 begin? (10 May 1857.) Where did it begin? (Meerut.) Who was the first martyr? (Mangal Pandey.) Who was proclaimed the leader of the revolt? (Bahadur Shah Zafar.) Who led the revolt at Jhansi? (Rani Lakshmibai.) Who was the first Viceroy of India? (Lord Canning.) A common trap is to confuse the immediate cause (greased cartridges) with the political causes (Doctrine of Lapse, annexation of Awadh).
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the causes. Political, economic, social, religious, military and immediate.
- Learn the centres and leaders. Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi and Bihar.
- Learn the key dates. 29 March, 10 May 1857, 1858 Act and the Queen’s Proclamation.
- Learn the results. End of Company rule and beginning of Crown rule.
- Learn why it failed. No unity, no central leadership and limited spread.
Common Exam Traps
- The revolt began at Meerut, not at Delhi, though Delhi became its centre.
- Mangal Pandey acted at Barrackpore, not at Meerut.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was a nominal leader and was exiled to Rangoon.
- Nana Saheb led Kanpur; Begum Hazrat Mahal led Lucknow.
- The Government of India Act 1858 ended Company rule and made Lord Canning the first Viceroy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did the Revolt of 1857 begin?
The Revolt of 1857 began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut, when Indian sepoys rose against their British officers. They then marched to Delhi and proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader.
What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857?
The immediate cause was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle, whose cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. Since soldiers had to bite the cartridge, it offended both Hindu and Muslim religious feelings. Mangal Pandey’s action at Barrackpore on 29 March 1857 was the first spark.
Who were the main leaders of the Revolt of 1857?
The main leaders were Bahadur Shah Zafar and Bakht Khan at Delhi, Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope at Kanpur, Begum Hazrat Mahal at Lucknow, Rani Lakshmibai at Jhansi, Kunwar Singh in Bihar, Khan Bahadur Khan at Bareilly and Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah at Faizabad.
Why did the Revolt of 1857 fail?
The revolt failed due to the lack of a central leader and a common plan, its localised spread, and the help that many Indian rulers such as the Sikhs, Gurkhas, Scindia, the Nizam and the Rajputs gave to the British. The British also had better arms, money, discipline and the telegraph.
What were the results of the Revolt of 1857?
The main result was the end of the East India Company’s rule. The Government of India Act of 1858 abolished the Company and transferred power to the British Crown. Queen Victoria issued a Proclamation on 1 November 1858 and Lord Canning became the first Viceroy. The army was reorganised and the policy of divide and rule was followed.
What is meant by the Doctrine of Lapse?
The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy of Lord Dalhousie under which a state was annexed if its ruler died without a natural heir, and adopted heirs were not recognised. It was used to annex states such as Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur, and it created great resentment that contributed to the Revolt of 1857.