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.

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

REMEMBER: Mangal Pandey Started Revolt In March

• March 29 - Mangal Pandey's revolt
• Pandey - First rebel
• Sepoy - Military revolt
• Revolt - 1857
• In - India
• Meerut - Where it spread

• Compare Gandhi's methods
• Later mass movements

← Back to Indian History | Home

Sources: NCERT Class 8 History, Spectrum Modern History