THE GREAT REVOLT
THE FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

Mangal Pandey

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On 9 th May 1857, on the parade ground of Meerut, 85 Indian troopers were court martialled.
Their Crime: -These troopers had refused to load their rifles with the new cartridges.

ABOUT THE NEW CARTRIDGE
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A rumour had spread that the new cartridge contained the fat of cow and pig.
HINDUS COW WAS SACRED
MUSLIMS PIG MEAT WAS FOBIDDEN BY QURAN

SPREAD OF THE REVOLT
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On 10 th May 1857 men of 3 rd Light Cavalry stormed the barracks jail and released their comrades.
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Soon the Indian civilians joined the mutineers and killed about 50 Europeans.
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The news spread like wild fire. The already simmering anger against British burst out into a violent storm.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857
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Political Causes
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Social Causes
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Religious Causes
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Economic Causes
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Administrative Causes
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Military Causes

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

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The Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai was not allowed to adopt a son.
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In case of disputed interpretation, the decision of the East India Company was binding & that of the court of the Directors was final.
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Regal titles of the Nawab of Carnatic &
Tanjore were abolished. The imperial title of the Moghul Emperor was discontinued after Bahadur Shah II.
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The pension of Nana Saheb (Peshwa Baji
Rao II’s adopted son) was stopped.

Nana Saheb

Rani of Jhansi

Rani of Jhansi

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

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

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

Namaste & Welcome!!!
In Today’s Lecture…
THE REVOLT OF 1857
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Social Causes
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Religious Causes

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

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RELIGIOUS CAUSES
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Namaste & Welcome!!!
In Today’s Lecture…
THE REVOLT OF 1857
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Economic Causes
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Administrative Causes
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Military Causes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMPORTANT CENTRES OF REVOLT
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MEERUT
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DELHI
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OUDH
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KANPUR
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JHANSI & GWALIOR

MEERUT
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9 May 1857, 85 Sepoys were court martialled.
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They had refused to use new cartridges.
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Next day their companions attacked the jail.
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Sepoys were freed.
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Officers & Europeans were killed.
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Revolters headed towards Delhi.

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

RED FORT, DELHI

ZEENAT MAHAL & BAHADUR SHAH II

GENERAL HUDSON

OUDH (LUCKNOW)
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Oudh annexed by Lord Dalhousie.
The Nawab of Oudh exiled to Calcutta.
But his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal and 11 year old son continued to live in Oudh but in very poor condition.
So people of Oudh were angry.
The revolt broke out on 4 th June 1857.
Henry Lawrence, the British Resident, with some Europeans with some hundred sepoys took refuge in a Residency.
Begum seized Residency and killed Henry & some others.
In November, Sir Colin Campbell (Commander-in-Chief) attacked with Gorkha regiment.
In March 1858, the city was finally recaptured.
The rebels driven to Nepal border to die in bad climate or captured by Gorkhas.

BEGUM HAZRAT MAHAL

COLIN CAMPBELL

KANPUR
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Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao was proclaimed the Peshwa.
He led the revolt in Kanpur with Tantia Tope, his assistant.
After a fierce battle, General Sir Hugh Wheeler surrendered on
27 th June 1857.
Nana Saheb assured safe passage of British to Allahabad.
General James O’Neil (At Allahabad & Banaras) inhumanly illtreated Indians.
Angry Indians killed the passing British citizens.
In June 1857, The General defeated Nana Sahib.
In November 1857, Nana Sahib & Tantia Tope recaptured Kanpur back.
On 6 th December 1857 General Campbell reoccupied Kanpur.
Nana fled to Nepal (died there) and Tantia joined Rani Laxmibai.

NANA SAHIB

TANTIA TOPE

JHANSI & GWALIOR
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In June 1857, the troops at Jhansi revolted.
Rani Laxmibai (widow of Raja Gangadhar Rao) declared ruler.
Tantia Tope joined her after Kanpur was lost.
On 3 rd April 1858, Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Jhansi.
Laxmibai escaped to Kalpi (near Gwalior) where Tantia joined her.
Both marched to Gwalior.
Sir Hugh Rose also marched to Gwalior and captured in June
1858.
Rani died fighting bravely.
Tantia escaped southward but was betrayed by his friend Man
Singh.
Tantia was finally hanged.

RANI LAXMIBAI

TANTIA TOPE

HANGED RUTHLESSLY

OTHER CENTRES OF REVOLT
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Bareilly:
Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed himself the ruler.
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Bihar:
Zamindar Kunwar Singh raised the revolt
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Banaras:
Banarasis organised a rebellion.
(All were subsequently suppressed by British)

OUTCOME
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CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE
REVOLT
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The revolt was localized and was poorly organized.
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The British had better resources than the rebels.
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The revolt was feudal in character.
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The leaders lacked military skills.
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The native princes did not join the revolt.

MAJOR IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
… the revolt was considered to be an awakener and the first effort towards the freedom and independence.
…the British just considered it to be a mere military revolt.

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

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

IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
3) The Indian army was reorganised.
Included Sikhs, Gurkhas & Pathans.

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

The Last Mughal Emperor

IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
5) Freedom of religion granted.

IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
6) As per Queen’s Proclamation, more
Indians joined the administration.

IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
7) Racial animosity increased.

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

IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
9) The British exploited the economy further.