Causes of the Indian Revolt of 1857

Study Notes

Political Causes:
- British expansion and annexation of Indian territories
- Doctrine of Lapse (adopted by Lord Dalhousie)
- Discontent among Indian rulers and nobles
Economic Causes:
- Economic exploitation of India by the British
- Drain of Indian wealth and resources
- Impoverishment of Indian artisans and craftsmen
Social Causes:
- Introduction of Western education and culture
- Interference in Indian religious and social practices
- Caste-based discrimination in the Indian army
Military Causes:
- Discrimination against Indian soldiers in the British army
- Poor service conditions and low pay
- General discontent among Indian soldiers

Outbreak of the Revolt:
- May 10, 1857: Sepoys at Meerut revolt against the British
- Spread of the revolt to other parts of India
Key Events:
- Siege of Delhi (June 1857)
- Capture of Delhi by the British (September 1857)
- Battle of Kanpur (June 1857)
- Battle of Lucknow (July 1857)
- Suppression of the revolt by the British (1858)

Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II:
- Proclaimed Emperor of India by the rebels
- Played a symbolic role in the revolt
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi:
- Led the rebellion in Jhansi
- Fought against the British forces
- Died in battle (June 1858)
Nana Sahib:
- Led the rebellion in Kanpur
- Inflicted significant casualties on the British
- Eventually defeated and forced to flee

End of the Mughal Empire:
- British exiled Bahadur Shah II to Rangoon
- Mughal Empire officially came to an end
Reforms in the British Administration:
- Indian Councils Act (1858)
- Creation of the Indian Civil Service
- Reforms in the Indian army
Nationalist Movement:
- Revolt of 1857 marked the beginning of the Indian nationalist movement
- Inspired future generations of Indian nationalists

British expansion and annexation of Indian territories sparked resentment among Indian rulers and nobles
Doctrine of Lapse led to the confiscation of Indian territories, exacerbating tensions
Economic exploitation of India by the British led to the drain of Indian wealth and resources
Impoverishment of Indian artisans and craftsmen due to the destruction of Indian industries
Introduction of Western education and culture led to discontent among Indians
Interference in Indian religious and social practices contributed to the unrest
Caste-based discrimination in the Indian army fueled resentment among Indian soldiers
Poor service conditions, low pay, and discrimination against Indian soldiers in the British army contributed to the revolt

Sepoys at Meerut revolted against the British on May 10, 1857, marking the beginning of the revolt
The revolt spread to other parts of India, including Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow
The Siege of Delhi took place in June 1857, and the city was eventually captured by the British in September 1857
The Battle of Kanpur took place in June 1857, and the Battle of Lucknow occurred in July 1857
The British eventually suppressed the revolt in 1858

Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed Emperor of India by the rebels and played a symbolic role in the revolt
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi led the rebellion in Jhansi and fought against the British forces before dying in battle in June 1858
Nana Sahib led the rebellion in Kanpur, inflicted significant casualties on the British, but was eventually defeated and forced to flee

The Mughal Empire officially came to an end with the exile of Bahadur Shah II to Rangoon
The Indian Councils Act of 1858 led to reforms in the British administration
The creation of the Indian Civil Service and reforms in the Indian army followed the revolt
The Revolt of 1857 marked the beginning of the Indian nationalist movement, inspiring future generations of Indian nationalists