====== 1857 Revolt (The First War of Independence) ======

The **Revolt of 1857**, also known as the **Sepoy Mutiny** or the **First War of Independence**, was a major uprising against British colonial rule in India.

===== Background and Causes =====

==== Military Causes ====

  * **Doctrine of Lapse** - Annexation policy by Lord Dalhousie
  * **Enfield Rifle Cartridges** - Greased with cow and pig fat
  * **Religious interference** - Christian missionary activities
  * **Low pay and poor service conditions** for Indian sepoys

==== Political Causes ====

  * **Annexation of Indian states** - Oudh, Satara, Jhansi
  * **End of Mughal Empire** - Reduction of Bahadur Shah Zafar's status
  * **Loss of traditional privileges** of Indian rulers

==== Economic Causes ====

  * **Heavy taxation** and land revenue policies
  * **Destruction of traditional industries**
  * **Drain of wealth** to Britain

===== Key Events and Timeline =====

^ Date ^ Event ^ Location ^
| **March 29, 1857** | Mangal Pandey's revolt | Barrackpore (Bengal) |
| **May 10, 1857** | Revolt begins | Meerut |
| **May 11, 1857** | Delhi captured | Delhi |
| **June 1857** | Rani Laxmibai joins | Jhansi |
| **September 1857** | Siege of Delhi begins | Delhi |
| **March 1858** | Fall of Lucknow | Lucknow |
| **June 1858** | Death of Rani Laxmibai | Gwalior |

===== Important Leaders =====

==== Indian Leaders ====

  * **Bahadur Shah Zafar** - Last Mughal Emperor, reluctant leader
  * **Rani Laxmibai** - Queen of Jhansi, died fighting
  * **Mangal Pandey** - Sepoy who sparked the revolt
  * **Tatya Tope** - Military strategist and guerrilla warfare expert
  * **Nana Saheb** - Adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II
  * **Kunwar Singh** - 80-year-old leader from Bihar

==== British Officers ====

  * **John Nicholson** - Led assault on Delhi
  * **Henry Lawrence** - Defended Lucknow residency
  * **Colin Campbell** - Commander-in-chief

===== Major Centers of Revolt =====

  * **Delhi** - Political and symbolic center
  * **Lucknow** - Capital of Oudh, major resistance
  * **Kanpur** - Led by Nana Saheb
  * **Jhansi** - Led by Rani Laxmibai
  * **Bareilly** - Khan Bahadur Khan's leadership

===== Causes of Failure =====

  * **Limited geographical spread** - Mainly North and Central India
  * **Lack of unity** among leaders
  * **No clear ideology** or alternative government structure
  * **Superior British military technology** and organization
  * **Loyalty of Sikhs and Gurkhas** to British
  * **Limited participation** of educated middle class

===== Consequences =====

==== Administrative Changes ====

  * **Government of India Act 1858** - Crown rule replaced Company rule
  * **End of East India Company** rule
  * **Viceroy system** established

==== Military Reorganization ====

  * **Increase in British troops** ratio
  * **Disbanding of sepoy regiments**
  * **Recruitment from martial races**

==== Political Impact ====

  * **End of Mughal Empire**
  * **Policy of non-interference** in religious matters
  * **Respect for Indian customs** and traditions

===== Significance =====

  * **First unified resistance** against British rule
  * **Symbol of national awakening**
  * **Inspiration for future freedom movements**
  * **Exposed weaknesses** of British administration

===== UPSC Relevance =====

  * **Paper**: General Studies Paper I (Modern History)
  * **Important for**: Causes, events, consequences of 1857
  * **Previous Year Questions**:
    - Analyze causes and consequences of 1857 Revolt (2020)
    - Role of women in 1857 Revolt (2019)
    - Compare 1857 with later movements (2018)

===== Memory Techniques =====

**REMEMBER**: **M**angal **P**andey **S**tarted **R**evolt **I**n **M**arch
  * **M**arch 29 - Mangal Pandey's revolt
  * **P**andey - First rebel
  * **S**epoy - Military revolt
  * **R**evolt - 1857
  * **I**n - India
  * **M**eerut - Where it spread

===== Related Topics =====

  * [[indian_history:gandhi|Compare Gandhi's methods]]
  * [[indian_history:non_cooperation_movement|Later mass movements]]

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//Sources: NCERT Class 8 History, Spectrum Modern History//