When People Rebel (1857 and After)

From the mid-18th century, Nawabs and Rajas gradually lost their power and authority to the East India Company.

A treaty between the East India Company and Indian rulers where the Company placed its troops in the rulers' territory, reducing their autonomy and eventually leading to annexation.

The East India Company took over the territory of Awadh in 1856, claiming poor governance as a justification.

The queen of Jhansi, who sought the Company's recognition of her adopted son as heir.

The adopted son of Peshwa Bajirao II, who demanded his father's pension.

Policies implemented by the East India Company affecting various segments of Indian society, including rulers and common people.

People challenged policies or actions that harmed their interests or disrupted their sentiments.

Indian rulers gradually had their revenues and territories taken by the British East India Company.

The British East India Company planned to eliminate the Mughal dynasty, culminating in Bahadur Shah Zafar being declared the last Mughal king in 1856.

The last Mughal emperor, whose family was shifted from the Red Fort and whose descendants were no longer recognized as kings after his death.

High taxes and rigid revenue collection methods by the Company angered peasants and zamindars.

Indian soldiers (sepoys) in Company's employ were unhappy with pay, allowances, and service conditions, as well as new rules violating their religious beliefs.

Peasants and zamindars resisted high taxes and strict revenue collection methods, often losing land due to debt.

British East India Company's growing power led to gradually ending Mughal authority and increasing its control over India.

Some new rules implemented by the Company contradicted the religious beliefs of Indian sepoys.

Peasants and zamindars lost land due to inability to repay loans and high taxes from the British.

Sepoys in 1824 refused to travel by sea to Burma, agreeing instead to a land route. This triggered a negative response.

In 1856, the East India Company implemented a policy needing new recruits to agree to serve overseas.

Sepoy discontent stemmed from the widespread anger and frustration among peasant populations.

British attempts to change Indian society through laws like banning "sati", promoting widow remarriage, and spreading English education.

After 1830, the Company allowed missionaries greater freedom, including owning land.

A 1850 law simplified converting to Christianity and allowed inheritances for converts.

Indians felt the British policies threatened their religion, customs, and way of life

Sepoys sharing information and rumors in bazaars reflecting on British rule and contributing to discontent.

A set of rules imposed by the British on Indian rulers in Calcutta, ostensibly designed to regulate their policies, but with the intention of weakening traditional practices and governance systems.

Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the British East India Company's army who were unhappy with pay, allowances, service conditions, and new rules that violated their religious beliefs.

A significant uprising, sparked in part by sepoy unrest and the imposition of Eighty-Four Rules, that spread across north India.

The British East India Company's growing power and influence over Indian territories in the north.

A religious ceremony (yajna) taking place in Mathura.

First-hand accounts written by Indian soldiers, giving insights into events surrounding the rebellion and the thoughts of soldiers.

Secret plans made by Indian soldiers aiming to challenge British rule.

Policies developed and implemented in Calcutta, the centre of British rule in India.

Indian soldiers (sepoys) had complaints about their pay, allowances, and service conditions, along with new rules that clashed with their religious beliefs.

Stories spread that rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat, upsetting Indian soldiers.

Individuals who incited sepoys to mutiny, promoting rebellion against the British.

The goal of the rebellion was to reinstate the Delhi Emperor.

Soldiers were sent to different garrisons for instruction on using a new type of rifle.

Reports about the rifle cartridges triggered strong feelings of dissatisfaction among soldiers in various regiments.

These people represented the thoughts and worries of ordinary people during the rebellion.

People thought the rulers were focusing on things other than the well-being of their people.

Key figures like Bakht Khan and Kunwar Singh led troops against British rule during the revolt.

Delhi was a central location for the rebellion, with many fighters gathering to oppose the British.

The British East India Company used military force and new laws to suppress the rebellion.

The rebellion occurred across various regions of India, involving different organizations and leaders.

The British used a strategically positioned siege train to retake important forts like the Red Fort.

The British successfully regained control of Delhi in September 1857.

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor tried and the end of Mughal rule.

The British brought additional troops from England to crush the rebellion.