1857 Revolt:
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| Revolt 1857 |
There is a widespread agreement that the Revolt of 1857 was something more than a sepoy
mutiny, but something less than a national revolt. Elucidate. (250 words, 15 Marks)
Approach:
- Introduction: Give a brief introduction to the Revolt of 1857.
- Body:
- Mention the different viewpoints about the nature of revolt.
- Highlight how the Revolt of 1857 was something more than a sepoy mutiny and lessthan a national revolt.
- Conclusion: Conclude suitably.
Answer:
The Revolt of 1857 marks a turning point in the history of India. There is a long-drawn debate about
the Revolt of 1857 and its nature.
Different Viewpoints about the Nature of the Revolt:
The historians from the colonial school largely comprised British historians who termed this
event as a mutiny of Bharatiya troops in the British army.
- Those following the Marxist school of history have termed it as an outcome of the distressamong the peasants.
- V.D Savarkar interpreted the Revolt of 1857 as “a planned war of national independence”.
- Benjamin Disraeli, who later became the Prime Minister of Britain accepted in the House of Commons on July 27, 1857, “The revolt was more than a mutiny of Indian troops.”
- S.N. Sen, in his officially sponsored centennial history of the revolt, echoed the same colonial argument; "The movement began as a military mutiny”.
- R.C. Majumdar's thoughts are also identical: "What began as a mutiny ended in certain areas inan outbreak of civil population", which was sometimes organised by self-seeking local leadersand sometimes was only "mob violence" caused by the breakdown of the administrative machinery.
Revolt of 1857; More than a Sepoy Mutiny:
- It involved more than simply the sepoys; it also included other segments of the civilian population (artisans, peasants, etc.). More than half of the fatalities are believed to be civilians.
- According to Nehru, the insurrection also targeted the feudal class. The occasions where locals attacked and set moneylender books on fire demonstrate the revolt's revolutionary nature.
- The , which was not only led by sepoys and military leaders but also included a number of princes and local chieftains, extended throughout north India.
- The mutineers trusted the Mughal King to guide them toward self-rule. This demonstrates that there was more than simpy sepoy discontent; there was a desire for escape from British authority.
- The entire Awadh was open to rebellion. The same thing happened in several districts of Bihar.
Revolt of 1857; Less than a National Revolt:
- There were important groups of collaborators. Some of the regions and groups that experienced the benefits of British rule remained loyal.
- Bengali middle class remained loyal as they had material interests in the new order and often a deep, ideological commitment to new ideas, according to Judith Brown.
- The absence of unity was another crucial aspect. Punjabi princes hated the Hindustani soldiers.
- As per C A Bayly, those who rebelled had various motives which were not always connected to any specific grievance against the British. Often, they fought against each other.
- Although there are many debates about the nature of the 1857 movement, 1857 stands firmly in a historical continuum which sowed the seeds of nationalism and the quest for freedom from British rule.
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Every year, the 10th of May serves as a reminder that the historic First War of Independence
began on this day in 1857, which ignited a spirit of patriotism among our fellow citizens and
contributed to the weakening of colonial rule. Comment. (150 words, 10 Marks)
Approach:
- Introduction: Justify the comment.
- Body:
- Discuss the immediate causes of the 1857 Revolt.
- Discuss the significance and the period following 10th May 1857.
- Conclusion: Conclude by stating how the Revolt had shaken the very foundation of British
colonial rule.
Answer:
“I pay homage to all those who were a part of the events of 1857 for their outstanding courage”-
The Indian Prime Minister said on 10th May 2022.
He said the uprising had ignited a spirit of patriotism and contributed to the weakening of colonial rule.
Immediate Causes of the 1857 Revolt:
- An issue as small as a greased cartridge led to a revolt in such a tense atmosphere. However, the issue of greased cartridges was big enough to cause a revolt on its own.
- “Brown Bags” were replaced with “Enfield rifles” after greased cartridges were introduced in 1856.
- The method of loading the Enfield rifle involves eating off the top of the cartridge before it is loaded.
- The Sepoys in January 1857 began spreading rumours that the greased cartridge contained cow and pig fat.
- The cow is considered holy by Hindus, while the pig is forbidden by Muslims.
- As soon as the greased cartridges were introduced, the sepoys were convinced that it was designed to harm the Hindus and Muslims, triggering the Sepoy Revolt on 29th March 1857.
Significance of 10th May 1857:
- A young soldier from Barrackpore revolted against British officers on 29th March 1857.
- There were almost 100 members of the Third Native Cavalry stationed at Meerut on 24th April who refused to use greased cartridges.
- The rest of the Indian sepoys rallied around them, and a revolt broke out on 10th May, led by the entire garrison.
- During one of the events of May 10, 1857, Indian sepoys, fuelled by anger over the issue of new gunpowder cartridges for the Enfield rifle, attacked British officers and marched towards Delhi.
- The uprising that began in Meerut later spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
Period Following 10th May 1857:
- Having liberated their comrades and killed the British officers, the soldiers marched on to Delhi, cutting the telegraph lines and intercepting warning messages.
- When the sepoys from Meerut reached Delhi, the simple mutiny had been transformed into a full-scale political uprising. They proclaimed Bahadur Shah as Emperor of India.
- In the period immediately following a month of revolt, the entire Bengal Army rose against the British, as well as North and North-West India.
- Azimullah and Tantya Tope commanded Nana Sahib’s troops in Kanpur.
- The Revolt spread from Delhi to several other places.
- Maulvi Ahmadullah assisted Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow, while
- Rani Lakshmi Bai and Kunwar Singh led the revolts in Jhansi and Arrah, respectively.
- Khan Bahadur Khan led the revolt in Bareilly.
- It is true that the Revolt of 1857 was suppressed completely, but it had shaken the very foundation of British colonial rule and created a sense of nationalism among the Indians.
