The Indian Revolt of 1857

Made by Manas Joshi

X ARyan International

School

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Preface• This project is meant for the students of

standard 10th so that they understand that Why India required freedom? What were the evil practices of British? What was the result of First war of Independence its drawback.

• This project in the contribution to protection of the trees.

Project By Manas Joshi Revolt Of 1857

THE OUT BURST OF 1857

• On 9th May 1857, on the parade ground of Meerut, 85 Indian troopers were court martialled.


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ABOUT THE NEW CARTRIDGE

• A rumour had broaden that the new cartridge enclosed in a paper covered with the fat of cow and pig.

HINDUS COW WAS HOLY FOR HINDUS

MUSLIMS PIG MEAT WAS TABOO BY QURANProject By Manas Joshi Revolt

Of 18574

SPREAD OF THE REVOLT


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Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• Political Causes• Social Causes• Religious Causes• Economic Causes• Administrative Causes• Military Causes


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POLITICAL CAUSES• Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation and the

Doctrine of lapse had made the Indian rulers angry and insecure.

• He said that if king dies without a natural heir then the kingdom would be annexed by Britishers

• The Muslim feelings had been badly hurt when after the death of Bahadur Shah II, Lord Canning took away regal titles and Mogul palaces.

• Thousands became unemployed when the English, under Lord Dalhousie annexed Oudh.


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• The Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai was not allowed to adopt a son.

• In case of doubtful interpretation, the decision of the East India Company was binding & that of the court of the Directors was final.

• Regal titles of the Nawab of Carnatic & Tanjore were abolished. The imperial title of the Moghul Emperor was discontinued after Bahadur Shah II.

• The pension of Nana Saheb (Peshwa Baji Rao II’s adopted son) was stopped.


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Nana Saheb


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Rani of Jhansi

SOCIAL CAUSES

• The British were rude and used abusive and insultive language.

• The practice of sati was abolished. Child marriage, infanticide and polygamy were not allowed.

• The European juries allowed European criminals with little or no punishment.


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RELIGIOUS CAUSES• Hindus and Muslims were forced into

Christianity.• British Officers abused the name of Ram

and Muhammad.• Idolatry was denounced. Hindu deities

were ridiculed.


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ECONOMIC CAUSES• The British had drained India of

all her wealth and natural resources by selfish economic policies.

• For eg.• The taxes collected by the

government were utilized by the British to pay them salaries


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ADMINISTRATIVE CAUSES• Unrest spread among the landlords of

Bengal when William Bentinck took away rent free estates from them.

• After Oudh was annexed, the estates of Zamindars and Taluqdars were confiscated.

• High posts and handsome salaries were given to the British. This caused frustration amongst Indians.


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MILITARY CAUSES• Immense discrimination between the

Indians and the British.• New recruits had to travel across the

sea. It was forbidden as per Hindu belief.(General Service Enlistment Act)

• The Indian sepoys were deprived of high salaries and promotions. The highest post for an Indian was that of the Subedar.


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• The British army exposed its vulnerability in the First Afghan war, the Sikh war and the Crimean war.

• The Indian sepoys were required to work far off without extra Bhatta or payment.

• The privilege of free postage enjoyed by the sepoys was withdrawn with the passing of the Post Office Act 1854.


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MEERUT• 9 May 1857, 85 Sepoys were court martialled.• They had refused to use new cartridges.• Next day their companions attacked the jail.• Sepoys were freed.• Officers & Europeans were killed.• Revolters headed towards Delhi.


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DELHI• On 12th May 1857, Delhi was in custody by rebels.• Some Europeans were shot dead.• Bhahadur Shah II was persuaded to support.• Loss of Delhi was a prestige loss for British.• On 20th September 1857, British regained Delhi.• 3 sons killed & the king & queen exiled to Rangoon.• The king died in 1862.


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RED FORT, DELHI


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ZEENAT MAHAL & BAHADUR SHAH II


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OUDH (LUCKNOW)• Oudh annexed by Lord Dalhousie.• The Nawab of Oudh exiled to Calcutta.• But his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal and 11 year old son continued

to live in Oudh but in very poor condition.• So people of Oudh were angry.• The revolt broke out on 4th June 1857.• In March 1858, the city was finally recaptured.• The rebels driven to Nepal border to die in bad climate or captured

by Gorkhas. Begum Hazrat Mahal


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KANPUR• Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao was proclaimed the

Peshwa.• He led the revolt in Kanpur with Tantia Tope, his assistant.• After a fierce battle, General Sir Hugh Wheeler surrendered on 27th June 1857.• Nana Saheb assured safe passage of British to Allahabad.• General James O’Neil (At Allahabad & Banaras) inhumanly ill-treated Indians.• Angry Indians killed the passing British citizens.• In June 1857, The General defeated Nana Sahib.• In November 1857, Nana Sahib & Tantia Tope recaptured Kanpur back.• On 6th December 1857 General Campbell reoccupied Kanpur.• Nana fled to Nepal (died there) and Tantia joined Rani Laxmibai.


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TANTIA TOPE


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JHANSI & GWALIOR

• In June 1857, the troops at Jhansi revolted.• Rani Laxmibai (widow of Raja Gangadhar Rao) declared ruler.• Tantia Tope joined her after Kanpur was lost.• On 3rd April 1858, Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Jhansi. • Laxmibai escaped to Kalpi (near Gwalior) where Tantia joined her.• Both marched to Gwalior.• Sir Hugh Rose also marched to Gwalior and captured in June 1858.• Rani died fighting bravely.• Tantia escaped southward but was betrayed by his friend Man Singh.• Tantia was finally hanged.

Tantia Tope hangedJhansi Ki Rani


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OTHER CENTRES OF REVOLT

• Bareilly:Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed himself the ruler.

• Bihar:Zamindar Kunwar Singh raised the revolt

• Banaras:Banarasis organised a rebellion.

(All were subsequently suppressed by British)Project By Manas Joshi Revolt

Of 185724

OUTCOME

• The revolt was completely suppressed and crushed by July 1858.


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CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE REVOLT

• The revolt was localized and was poorly planned.

• The British had better resources than the rebels.

• The revolt was feudal in character.• The leaders lacked military skills.• The native princes did not join the

revolt.


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MAJOR IMPACT OF THE REVOLT

… the revolt was considered to be an awakener and the first effort towards the freedom and independence.

…the British just considered it to be a mere military revolt.


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IMPACT OF THE REVOLT1) The control of Indian administration was form the company to the crown.2) The Queen promised to respect Rights & dignity. General pardon to all offenders except murders3) The Indian army was reorganized. Included Sikhs, Gurkhas & Pathans. 4) The Mughal dynasty ended with the extinction of Bahadur Shah II & was replaced by British Crown. 6) As per Queen’s Proclamation, more Indians joined the administration.5) Freedom of religion granted.7) Racial animosity increased.8) The British introduced the policy of Divide & Rule that led to the partition of India in 1947.9) The British exploited the economy further.


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The Great Freedom Fighters

Mangal Pandey


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News & Politics

The Indian Revolt of 1857