The Revolt of 1857

The Revolt of 1857: 11th May 1857, the day when a troop of soldiers from Merut crossed the river Yamuna and entered into Delhi. Previous night they had killed British Officials and seniors of Merut and burnt the toll house on the way to Delhi. They met Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II and wished to make him the ‘Emperor of India’. After that they started capturing Delhi. Killing the British officials and soldiers, destroying the offices. This was the advent of The Revolt of 1857.

Causes of The Revolt of 1857:

1. Political Reasons: Policies like the Subsidiary Alliance, Annexation, and Doctrine of Lapse led to the expansion of British rule, alienating native rulers like Nana Sahab, Rani Laxmi Bai, Begum Hazrat Mahal, and others.
2. Social & Cultural Grievances: British attempts to assert racial superiority, missionary activities, and interference in religious matters created resentment among the Indian population. Reforms like abolition of Sati, widow remarriage, and taxation on religious lands added to the discontent.
3. Economic and Administrative Grievances: Land revenue policies, removal of zamindars, increased taxation, and the destruction of traditional industries led to economic hardships for peasants, zamindars, and workers.
4. Military Grievances: Indian soldiers faced discrimination in terms of pay, promotion, and religious practices. The introduction of the Enfield rifle, greased with animal fats, sparked religious outrage and mutinies.

Course of The Revolt of 1857:

1. Initiation: The revolt began with soldiers from Meerut crossing the Yamuna River, entering Delhi, and meeting Bahadur Shah II, declaring him the Emperor of India.
2. Spread: The revolt spread to other regions like Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Benaras, Allahabad, and Jhansi. Local leaders, former rulers, and zamindars took charge of various centers.
3. Leadership: Leaders like Nana Sahab, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Rani Laxmi Bai, and Kunwar Singh emerged to lead the rebellion in different regions.

Also Read: Rajm Nama

Reasons for Failure of The Revolt of 1857:

1. Lack of Leadership: Despite notable leaders, there was a lack of unified leadership and coordination among the rebels. Bahadur Shah II lacked leadership qualities, and internal conflicts weakened the revolt.
2. Lack of Planning: The revolt lacked strategic planning and organization. The focus was on immediate action without considering long-term strategies, supply lines, or coordination.
3. External Support for the British: Some businessmen and rulers supported the British, providing them with resources and backing to suppress the revolt.

Outcome:

The revolt ultimately failed to achieve its goals. Delhi was recaptured by the British in September 1857, Bahadur Shah II was arrested and exiled, and other rebel leaders either fled or were killed. Despite its failure, the revolt marked a significant turning point in India’s struggle against British colonialism and served as a precursor to future movements for independence.