The Revolt of 1857
– Historian S.N. Sen.
The year 1857 marks the dividing line in Indian History. It was the violent end of the East India Company's rule and the beginning of the British Raj. For aspirants, this topic is not just about "Mangal Pandey"; it is about understanding the Causes, The Leaders, and The Failures.
Bahadur Shah Zafar declared Emperor.
Begum Hazrat Mahal led the fiercest battles.
Rani Lakshmibai vs Hugh Rose.
80-year-old Kunwar Singh.
Did not participate; Sikhs/Gurkhas helped British.
1. The Gunpowder: Why did it happen?
The revolt didn't happen overnight. It was a volcano building up for 100 years (since Battle of Plassey, 1757).
The Immediate Trigger: The introduction of the Enfield Rifle. The cartridges had to be bitten off before loading. Rumors spread that the grease was made of Cow fat (sacred to Hindus) and Pig fat (taboo to Muslims).
2. The Heroes & The Villains
This table is the "Gold Mine" for matching questions in UPSC and SSC.
| Center of Revolt | Indian Leader | British Suppressor |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Bahadur Shah II (Nominal) Gen. Bakht Khan (Real Command) |
John Nicholson (He died during the siege) |
| Kanpur | Nana Saheb (Adopted son of Peshwa) Tatya Tope |
Sir Colin Campbell |
| Lucknow | Begum Hazrat Mahal (Refused to surrender) |
Henry Lawrence (Died) Sir Colin Campbell (Recaptured) |
| Jhansi | Rani Lakshmibai | General Hugh Rose (Called her "The only man among rebels") |
| Bihar (Jagdishpur) | Kunwar Singh (Oldest leader, aged 80) |
William Taylor |
| Faizabad | Maulvi Ahmadullah | General Renard |
3. Why did the Revolt Fail?
Despite the bravery, the revolt was crushed within a year. Why?
- Lack of Unity: India was not a nation yet. Scindia of Gwalior, Holkar of Indore, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Kings of Jodhpur actively helped the British.
- Limited Spread: The revolt was confined to North India. The South, Narmada, and Punjab remained silent.
- Poor Equipment: Indians fought with swords and old muskets; British fought with Enfield rifles and telegraph communication.
- No Future Vision: The rebels wanted to go back to the old medieval system (Mughals/Peshwas). The educated middle class did not support this "backward-looking" movement.
4. The Aftermath: Queen's Proclamation (1858)
The revolt failed, but it ended the East India Company. Parliament passed the Government of India Act, 1858.
- Viceroy: The Governor-General was now called the Viceroy (Direct representative of the Crown). Lord Canning was the first Viceroy.
- No More Annexation: The British promised not to take over any more Princely States.
- Divide and Rule: The Army was reorganized on caste lines (Martial vs Non-Martial races) to prevent future unity.
Revision Flashcards
Which Regiment did he belong to?
34th Native Infantry
Barrackpore (Bengal). He fired the first shot on March 29, 1857.
Who said this about whom?
Hugh Rose -> Laxmibai
Gen. Hugh Rose said Rani Lakshmibai was "The only man among the rebels" due to her bravery.
Who took charge after 1858?
Lord Canning
He was the Governor-General during the revolt and became the first Viceroy after the Act of 1858.
What objects were used to spread the message?
Lotus & Roti
Red Lotus (for soldiers) and Chapatis (for villages) were passed around to signal the uprising.
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