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
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: Mangal Pandey Started Revolt In March