The Revolt Of 1857

   From 1857 to 1859, the Indian Mutiny which is also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence was a massive but ultimately failed revolt over British control in Indian Territory. The rebellion began in the city of Meerut and then expanded to Kanpur, Agra, Delhi, and the city of Lucknow becoming the centres of the revolt in 1857, with Indian sepoys serving in the East India Company of the British Empire in India.

The insurrection of 1857 marked the formal start of the fight for independence from British colonial control in India. 

The insurrection started as a sepoy mutiny on 10th May 1857 in the city of Meerut. This was started by Bengalese sepoys to be precise the initiative was taken by the sepoy Mangal Pandey against British officials in the British Indian empire in Bengal Province.

The British realised that their ending of rule in India is coming to an end.  

Let us understand the consequences and cause that led to this revolt and what were the effects of this.

Cause of the Sepoy Mutiny

There are various reasons like social and political reasons, military reasons, economic reasons, and religious reasons for the happening of this sepoy mutiny. Let us understand all these.

Economic Reason for mutiny: Various modifications in the taxes and collection systems had a significant impact on farmers. To extend its area, the British law instituted and implemented a variety of organisational procedures such as the malware and ryotwari settlements in central and southern India respectively as well as in Bengal which brought the permanent settlement. That brought the farmers under high threat and exploitation. Moreover, the peasants in that region became highly angry and ready to rebel against the British government.

Political Reason: The British ascendancy had resulted in the growth of unfair legislation, due to which the zamindars were losing their authority dwelling throughout India. The emergence of unjustified policies such as the strategy of international commerce, the strategy of oblique subjugation, the legislation of battle and invasion and occupation, the strategy of straightforward subjugation, as well as the strategy of misgovernance hindered the preferences of the leaders of the corresponding province highly, and they have become vulnerable to British territorial expansion individually. As a result, those monarchs who had lost their nations to the people of British province became naturally anti-British and sided with the rebels throughout the revolution.

Religious Reasons: We can see racism to be one of the key causes of the 1857 insurrection, in which Indian people were mistreated and prohibited from interacting with White people. Whites began intervening in the religious matter of Indian people, along with torturing them.

Military Reasons: In terms of salary, pensions, and advancements, Indian soldiers encountered a lot of prejudice from the authorities of the British Empire. Moreover, In the army, Indians were treated as second-class citizens, but their European colleagues were not. This sparked resentment and served as a significant military component in the revolt of the 1857 insurrection.

Importance

            The revolt of 1857 brought initial courage to the people of India. And ultimately the birth province started seeing that the ending of the British raj is coming to an end in India. Moreover, the exploitation issues that came along with because of which the revolt had started. They then made the introduction of the Government of India Act, 1858. Under this, the legislation of India would be done through the Indian representatives. And all other rules that the British made came to an end.

            Ultimately after the revolt of 1857, people became more and more courageous and more activists like Bhagat Singh, and Lal Bal Pal came to force and then more activities started emerging in different cities of India against the British government such as the boycotting British products during 1905 and many more.

 Ultimate Outcome of the Revolt

            If we look at the outcome of the revolt the mutiny failed to conquer its motive due to the following reasons:

•       The group of activists didn’t have a clear leader who would lead them to success, moreover, they didn’t have any clear plan to execute the rebellion. This was started in just an instance when Mangal Pandey was fed up with the rule of the British and yelled out the slogan “Maro Firangi Ko” and everybody started rebelling.
•       The Indian people who encouraged the revolt did not make any plan on what to do when they would win the revolt.
•       Moreover, the major provinces that were in control of the British didn’t get affected by the revolt. It only affected a few of the northern parts of India.

Nevertheless, this revolt failed. But as said above this brought courage to the people that yes, they can attain their freedom from the British people and can live freely. Moreover, the settlements that the British brought came to end and the legislation started by taking an Indian Representative.

Conclusion

            To sum up, the revolt of 1857 is also known as the sepoy mutiny or the Indian Mutiny as the major cause of the initiation of this revolt was done by Indian sepoys working for the British people. Initially, it started in Meerut and then propagated to other cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, etc. mostly in northern India. There are many religious causes like racism, military causes like rationalism among sepoys, political causes like ruling in India and economical causes like bringing settlements that would exploit farmers were the cause that fueled this mutiny.

However, this revolt was not successful due to various reasons like lack of leadership and others. But it ultimately brought some changes in the legislation of India and took back the settlements that were not proper for the Indian people by bringing the Government of India act, 1858.