Sepoy Mutiny-The Revolt of 1857

Sepoy mutiny -Revolt of 1857

 

 

(Part -01)

 Background:

 Struggles between rulers and ruled are a very common thing. Therefore, some struggles became widespread as a popular revolt.

 In the mid of the eighteenth century, all Nawabs and Rajas had lost their authority, honor and powers. And also, freedom of the previous ruler had been reduced. Their territory and armed forces were taken away or banned. As a result, many of them tried to negotiate with the company to protect their assets. For e.g.: Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb and many of them wanted to protect their property.

 Awadh was the last territory to be annexed. Later on, in 1801 Governor-General Dalhousie declared that Awadh was needed the British rule. Because the territory (Awadh)was misgoverned by the King. In 1849 Governor-General Dalhousie declared that after the death of Bahadur Shah Jafar whole family of the king would be shifted out from the Fort. Because British Governor-General Lord Canning had already decided that Bahadur shah Jafar would be the last Mughal king.

 

Beginning Phase of the Sepoy Mutiny 1857

 

A large number of peoples (e.g.: peasants, Zamindars, kings, begin) believed that they have a common enemy. Which was British East India Company. Zamindars and peasants both were displeased with the High taxes and rigid method of revenue collection. Many of them had failed to pay their loans. Therefore, moneylenders became more powerful and peasants gradually lost their land which they had titled for generations.

 

On the other hand, Employees of the Company also had reasons for discontent. They were also unhappy about their pay, allowances and conditions of service. New rules, violated their religious sensibilities and beliefs. Sepoys believed that if they crossed the sea, they world lose their caste and religion. Therefore, in1824 they were told to go to Burma through the sea route they refused. In 1856 British passed a new law as “every new person who took up employment in the Company’s army had to agree to serve overseas if required”.

 

Reason Behind the Revolt:

 

• Mistreatment of the sepoys by the British rulers.
• Dalhousie announced in 1849 that Bahadur Shah ii would leave the Fort.
• Abolition of the titles and suspension of their pensions.
• Christian Religious activities by Christian Missionaries.
• Religious Disabilities Act of 1856.
• Other socio-religious causes.
• Political issues.
• Economic causes.

Administrative issues.

Mistreatment by British officials: In 1856, Lord canning’s government passed ‘General Service Enlistment Act’. Which decreased the all features to the Bengal army and they would have to serve anywhere.

The religious point of view: The greased wrapping paper of cartridge of the new Enfield rifle was made of beef and pig fat(controversy). The cow was sacred to the Hindus, on the other hand, pig was a taboo for the Muslims.

 

Economic Causes: Colonial policies of the British East India Company destroyed the traditional economic structure of Indian Society. The old System of Zamindari was forced to disintegrate. Moreover, British policy totally discourages Indian handicrafts and traditional methods. Because they just promoted British goods and equipment. Therefore, highly skilled Indian traditional craftsmen were had to find out an alternative source of income.

 

Administrative Causes: Rampant corruptions among the police, petty officials and lower court was a major discontent. As we see now Corruption in India is a legacy of the East India Company rule.

 

Social Reforms: Religious Disabilities Act 1856, passed by the British Government, which modified the Hindu customs. Because, British believed that Indian society had to be reformed, such as abolition of Sati, widow marriage support, women’s education (provided by outsiders) etc. Indian peoples began to believe that the British were destroying their religion, culture, customs and traditional way of life.

 

After 1830 Christian missionaries and Company was actively promoted the English language Education. 

 

The reason behind the failure of the ‘1857 Revolt’

 

• Lack of equipment and poor quality of arms.
• Absent of All India Participation.
• Lack of Unified ideology.
• All classes of the Society did not join.

 Views:

According to Karl Marx’s view “It was the British intruder who broke up the Indian handloom and destroyed the spinning-wheel. England began with depriving the Indian cotton to the European market, it then introduced twist into Hindustan and in the end inundated the very mother country of cotton with cotton.”

According to John Lawrence “…had a single leader of ability arisen among them (the rebels). we must have been lost beyond redemption.”

 

Stanley Wolpert “It was far more than a mutiny, yet much less than the first war of independence.”

Sepoy mutiny -Revolt of 1857 to be continued..

Fact Check: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rebellion_of_1857