The Revolt of 1857

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• British economic policies, social reforms, and discriminatory policies sparked discontent among Indians.
• The policy of annexation further fueled the anger among Indians.

The Spark that Ignited the Revolt

• Cartridges greased with cow and pig fat introduced into the army in 1857 enraged Hindu and Muslim sepoys.

The Revolt Unfolds

• The Revolt started at Meerut in May 1857 when soldiers released their imprisoned colleagues and killed British officers.
• The soldiers then marched to Delhi.

Key Centres of the Revolt

• Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Arrah, Jhansi, Gwalior, and Barrackpore were the main centres of the Revolt.

Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt

• Lack of unity among Indian rulers hindered the Revolt's success.
• Absence of a central leadership contributed to the Revolt's failure.
• Indian forces lacked modern weapons to match the British.

Aftermath of the Revolt

• The British government took over the administration of India from the East India Company after the Revolt.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• British economic policies, social reforms, and discriminatory policies sparked discontent among Indians.
• The policy of annexation further fueled the anger among Indians.

The Spark that Ignited the Revolt

• Cartridges greased with cow and pig fat introduced into the army in 1857 enraged Hindu and Muslim sepoys.

The Revolt Unfolds

• The Revolt started at Meerut in May 1857 when soldiers released their imprisoned colleagues and killed British officers.
• The soldiers then marched to Delhi.

Key Centres of the Revolt

• Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Arrah, Jhansi, Gwalior, and Barrackpore were the main centres of the Revolt.

Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt

• Lack of unity among Indian rulers hindered the Revolt's success.
• Absence of a central leadership contributed to the Revolt's failure.
• Indian forces lacked modern weapons to match the British.

Aftermath of the Revolt

• The British government took over the administration of India from the East India Company after the Revolt.

Importance of a Constitution

• Every country, regardless of government type, needs a constitution to establish laws governing government powers, functions, and citizen rights.

The Constitution of India

• The Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, after being drafted by a Constituent Assembly in 1946.
• The Constitution emphasizes separation of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Key Features of the Indian Constitution

• Ensures fundamental rights, equality, and secularism, reflecting the diverse beliefs of the Indian community.
• Prevents power misuse through the establishment of Fundamental Rights, upholding the rule of law and separation of powers.
• Maintains balance and accountability through the division of powers.

Fundamental Rights

• Ensure equal treatment, regardless of caste, religion, or gender, promoting inclusivity.
• Include the rights to equality, freedom, religion, protection against exploitation, cultural preservation, and legal recourse if rights are violated.

Governance Structure

• Establishes a federal government, dividing powers to prevent dominance and ensure regional autonomy.
• Grants every adult Indian citizen voting rights through Universal Adult Franchise, preventing minority interests from being marginalized.

Secularism

• Forbids religious discrimination, treating all religions equally to maintain harmony in democratic societies.