The Great Uprising of 1857

Questions and Answers

What event marked the beginning of foreign domination in India?

The Battle of Plassey in 1757.

What was the primary cause of the Great Uprising of 1857?

Widespread resentment against the British policies and oppression.

How did the Great Uprising of 1857 differ from previous revolts in India?

It started as a soldiers' revolt but transformed into a widespread popular uprising.

What term do many historians use to refer to the Great Uprising of 1857?

The First War of Independence. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the sepoys in the context of the Great Uprising of 1857?

Indian soldiers serving in the British or European army. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Doctrine of Lapse and how did it contribute to the Great Uprising?

The Doctrine of Lapse allowed the British to annex states without a natural heir, leading to resentment among Indian rulers. The annexation of states like Jhansi agitated local populations and contributed to the uprising. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lakshmi Bai and what role did she play in the Great Uprising?

Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi, refused to cede Jhansi to the British and became a prominent leader in the uprising. Her resistance symbolized the fight against British annexation. Signup and view all the answers

What were the implications of Lord Dalhousie's treatment of Bahadur Shah Zafar?

Dalhousie's refusal to recognize Bahadur Shah Zafar's successors and the restriction on their titles hurt Indian sentiments. This led to Bahadur Shah Zafar becoming a symbol of resistance during the revolt. Signup and view all the answers

How did the annexation of Awadh influence the attitudes of Indian soldiers?

The annexation of Awadh and the exile of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah outraged the local population and Indian soldiers, many of whom were from Awadh. This contributed to their discontent with the British army. Signup and view all the answers

What was Nana Saheb's situation under British rule, and how did it relate to the uprising?

Nana Saheb was not recognized as the legal heir by the British and was denied a pension. His grievances over British policies made him an important leader of the revolt. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of the Great Uprising of 1857

Significant landmark in Indian history marking the beginning of the struggle for freedom against foreign domination.
Began as sepoy revolt but evolved into a widespread popular uprising across northern India.
Known as the Great Revolt of 1857 or the First War of Independence.

Political Causes

Lord Dalhousie's policies, including the Doctrine of Lapse, led to widespread resentment among Indian rulers.
Annexation of states like Satara, Nagpur, and Jhansi angered local populations, particularly the widow Rani Lakshmibai.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh faced annexation by Dalhousie, inciting outrage from soldiers from that area.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was declared the symbolic leader of the uprising after the British limited his successors' rights.

Economic Causes

Exploitative land revenue systems caused struggles for peasants, deeply intertwining them in debt.
Policies led to deindustrialization, destroying traditional crafts and creating widespread unemployment among artisans.

British interference in social customs, such as the abolition of Sati and missionary activities, bred discontent.
Introduction of Western education undermined traditional Indian education systems, perceived as an attack on cultural identity.
Changing roles of casts with new infrastructures led to perceived violations of traditional Hindu practices.

Military Causes

Sepoys faced discrimination, denied promotions, and endured poor conditions, which fueled resentment.
Stop of special allowances (bhatta) for overseas deployment was considered humiliating by Indian soldiers.
General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 forced sepoys to fight overseas, harming their religious beliefs.

Immediate Triggers

Introduction of the Enfield rifle sparked the rebellion due to rumors regarding animal fat used to grease cartridges, offensive to Hindus and Muslims.

Major Centers and Leaders of the Uprising

Meerut: Uprising began on May 9, 1857; soldiers stormed jail and attacked European officials.
Delhi: Became a center for the uprising with Bahadur Shah Zafar as leader; fell to rebels within two days.
Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai emerged as a prominent leader; ultimately faced British forces in 1858.
Kanpur: Nana Saheb was a key leader; captured control but faced eventual defeat.
Lucknow: Led by Begum Hazrat Mahal; involved significant public support and intense conflict until British recapture.

Results of the Uprising

By July 1858, British forces reestablished control, concluding the uprising.
Shifted governance from the East India Company to direct British rule under the British Parliament.
Queen Victoria declared Empress of India through the Proclamation of 1858.

Historical Interpretations

Historians have varied in their perspectives, some labeling it as a "sepoy mutiny" while nationalist historians view it as a collective push for independence.
The chapati movement served as a means of communication about the uprising among villagers.

Reflections on Patriotism

Emphasized the importance of nurturing national pride and growth to foster prosperity and unity within a nation.

Description

Explore the significance of the Great Uprising of 1857 in India's history. This revolt marked the beginning of the struggle for freedom against foreign domination. Understand the factors leading up to the uprising and its impact on the Indian independence movement.