1857 Revolt: Causes and Key Figures

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Questions and Answers

What was a primary reason for the revolt of 1857 among sepoys?

Interference in religious matters including the greased cartridges (correct)

Support from their local leaders

Dissatisfaction with social inequalities

Increased wages and better working conditions

Which of the following leaders was NOT associated with the revolt of 1857?

Begum Hazrat Mahal

Rani Lakshmi Bai

Bahadur Shah II

Mahatma Gandhi (correct)

What did the rebels of 1857 attempt to establish after capturing British centers of power?

A religious state based on Hindu traditions

A parallel administration (correct)

A capitalist economic system

A monarchy under foreign rule

Which policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie contributed directly to the revolt of 1857?

Doctrine of Lapse Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following centers was NOT a significant location for the 1857 Revolt?

Calcutta Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of British repression after the revolt?

Heightened military presence in North India Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the imageries used to represent the revolt of 1857?

Pictorial images emphasized the heroism of rebels Signup and view all the answers

Which event embittered the people of Awadh and contributed to the revolt?

Direct annexation of Awadh by the British Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the military causes that contributed to the revolt of 1857?

British officers displayed a sense of superiority Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly contributed to the anger of the population in Awadh during the revolt?

The dethronement of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the economic causes for the revolt of 1857?

Rise of British manufactured goods over local products Signup and view all the answers

What does the doctrine of lapse refer to?

The practice of merging states without natural heirs into British territories Signup and view all the answers

Which cities were identified as key centers of aggression during the revolt?

Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Gwalior Signup and view all the answers

Why did the mutinous sepoys seek the leadership of native rulers during the revolt?

Native rulers had a natural connection with the populace. Signup and view all the answers

What measure did the British take to suppress the revolt?

Implementing Marshall Law across northern India Signup and view all the answers

In what way did religious beliefs shape the revolt of 1857?

The introduction of Christianity was met with resistance. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests that rebels had a level of planning and coordination?

Messengers transmitted information between revolting groups. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant strength of the revolt of 1857?

There was a united effort among various communities. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the weaknesses of the revolt of 1857?

Many significant rulers sided with the British. Signup and view all the answers

What did the rebels ultimately want to achieve during the revolt?

Restoration of traditional Indian authority and independence from British rule Signup and view all the answers

How did visual representations portray the events of the revolt of 1857?

The British artists portrayed British forces as saviors. Signup and view all the answers

What was a demand from the peasant class during the revolt?

Reduction of land revenue and liberation from exploitation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

1857 Revolt: Representations and Causes

Key Figures and Locations: The 1857 revolt involved numerous leaders (Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, Bakht Khan, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Tatya Tope) and centered in key locations like Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly, Meerut, and Arrah (Bihar).

Causes of the Revolt

Social and Religious Grievances: British policies of perceived social superiority and interference in religious matters (greased cartridges) fueled resentment.
Economic Exploitation: Peasants suffered from British exploitation of resources and moneylenders; artisans faced joblessness due to British competition.
Political Annexations: The Doctrine of Lapse and the direct annexation of Awadh (1856) angered rulers, landlords, and common people. The dispossession of taluqdars and injustice to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh exacerbated the situation.
Military Causes: British officers displayed a sense of superiority, which, combined with the greased cartridge controversy, created a major spark that ignited the fire.

Structure and Unity of the Revolt

Diverse Participation: People from various backgrounds participated, including sepoys, peasants, landlords, and rulers, united by their dissatisfaction with British rule.
Attempts at Unity: There were efforts to establish alternative governments in captured centers like Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur. While these ultimately failed, Hindu-Muslim unity and a shared desire for independence were evident.

Repression and Aftermath

British Response: The British response involved a comprehensive military campaign to crush the revolt, including extensive punishment of those involved (27000 Muslims hanged). Strict laws were implemented across north India.
Images and Narratives: Both British and Indian artists created various representations (posters, cartoons), shaping and reflecting perspectives of the revolt.

Key Questions and Answers

Subsidiary Alliance: Lord Wellesley introduced the Subsidiary Alliance. Important powers that adopted it include Hyderabad, Awadh, Mysore, Surat, and Tanjor.
Military Causes: Two key military causes of the revolt of 1857 were the perceived racial superiority of British officers and the issue of greased cartridges.
Awadh Revolt: The revolt in Awadh was widespread due to the British dethronement of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the discontent among zamindars, talukdars, and peasants.
Economic Causes: Two economic factors fuelling the 1857 revolt were exploitation of peasants by British and moneylenders, and the joblessness faced by Indian artisans.
Doctrine of Lapse: This doctrine empowered the British to annex Indian states without a natural successor.
Aggressive Revolt Centers: The most aggressive centers against British rule included Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Gwalior.
Rebel Leadership: Sepoys turned to pre-existing rulers for leadership during the revolt because of their familiarity and perceived legitimacy.
Unity Measures: Rebels attempted to foster collaboration across both religious lines and through joint proclamations and shared sentiments.
British Suppression: The British used martial law, arbitrary punishment, and combined military forces to crush the uprising.
Religious Influence: Religious beliefs played a role by causing dissatisfaction with the new education system (without discrimination), missionary schools, and the enforcement of Christianity in certain areas.
Planning and Coordination: Examples illustrating planning and coordination included coordinated movements from cantonments to Delhi, the use of messengers, and the establishment of new administrations.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths of the revolt included united participation of various social groups, while weaknesses included geographical limitations in widespread support and internal conflicts amongst leaders.
Awadh's Widespread Revolt: The exceptionally widespread revolt in Awadh stemmed from the anger toward British policies of exploitation, the dethroning of Wajid Ali Shah, and the resentment of both local and peasant populations against British economic and social agendas.
Rebel Goals: The rebels aimed to overthrow British rule and restore the pre-British order, with differing priorities and interests amongst various social classes like rulers, traders, peasants, and artisans.
Visual Representations: Visual representations (paintings, cartoons) offer insights into the revolt by portraying heroes(British) and villains(rebels), highlighting various perspectives. Historians utilize these images to understand the different interpretations surrounding the revolt.

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Explore the various causes that led to the 1857 Revolt in India, including social, economic, political, and military factors. Learn about the key figures involved and the significant locations affected by the uprising. This quiz will help you understand the complexity behind one of India's first independence movements.