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Questions and Answers
What event marked the beginning of foreign domination in India?
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?
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?
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?
What term do many historians use to refer to the Great Uprising of 1857?
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Who were the sepoys in the context of the Great Uprising of 1857?
Who were the sepoys in the context of the Great Uprising of 1857?
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What was the Doctrine of Lapse and how did it contribute to the Great Uprising?
What was the Doctrine of Lapse and how did it contribute to the Great Uprising?
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Who was Lakshmi Bai and what role did she play in the Great Uprising?
Who was Lakshmi Bai and what role did she play in the Great Uprising?
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What were the implications of Lord Dalhousie's treatment of Bahadur Shah Zafar?
What were the implications of Lord Dalhousie's treatment of Bahadur Shah Zafar?
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How did the annexation of Awadh influence the attitudes of Indian soldiers?
How did the annexation of Awadh influence the attitudes of Indian soldiers?
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What was Nana Saheb's situation under British rule, and how did it relate to the uprising?
What was Nana Saheb's situation under British rule, and how did it relate to the uprising?
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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.
Social and Religious Causes
- 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.
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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.
