Explore the Revolt of 1857, including its causes, major events, and prominent leaders. Learn about the spark that ignited the revolt, the spread across India, and the significant figures such as Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Saheb, and Rani Laxmibai. Discover how the rebellion shaped India's history.
Administrative Changes: The revolt of 1857 marked a significant turning point, leading to substantial changes in British administration and policy. On August 2, 1858, the British Parliament passed the Act for the Better Government of India, declaring Queen Victoria as the sovereign of British India and appointing a Secretary of State for India from the British cabinet. This abolished Company rule and transferred direct responsibility to the British Crown.
Queen's Proclamation: Lord Canning announced the assumption of Indian government by the British Crown at a durbar in Allahabad on November 1, 1858, issuing the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’. This proclamation ended the era of annexations and promised to respect the dignity and rights of native princes, providing freedom of religion, equal protection under the law, and respect for Indian customs and practices.
Reorganization of the Army: The British Army was reorganized following the revolt. Indian soldiers were drastically reduced in number, and European soldiers were increased. The army was restructured with separate units based on caste, community, or region, and recruits were drawn from 'martial' races loyal to the British. The Army Amalgamation Scheme of 1861 moved Company’s European troops to the Crown's service, and Indian artillery units were made defunct. Higher posts in the army and artillery were reserved for Europeans.
White Mutiny: After the transfer of power, a section of European troops, known as the White Mutiny, resented the move to the Queen's army and the cessation of extra allowances (batta) previously received under the Company. The unrest, seen as a potential threat, led to demands for enlistment bonuses or release, with the latter being accepted.
End of Reformist Zeal: The earlier liberalism of Victorian Britain waned, replaced by a conservative approach. This shift, supported by conservative and aristocratic classes, led to a non-interference policy in traditional Indian society, ending the era of reforms.
Policy of Divide and Rule: The British adopted a divide and rule strategy, exacerbating social divisions and exploiting the Indian economy. The Indian Civil Service Act of 1861 aimed to project equality, but in reality, it kept higher services reserved for colonizers. Racial hatred and suspicion grew, deepening the gulf between rulers and the ruled.
Significance of the Revolt: For the British, the revolt highlighted deficiencies in Company administration and army, leading to reforms. For Indians, it influenced the struggle for freedom, revealing genuine grievances and the limitations of violence. The revolt established traditions of resistance that would aid future national struggles.
Conceptual Change: The revolt shifted British rule from being seen as that of 'outsiders' to 'insiders,' with sovereignty vested in the British monarch, according to Bernard Cohn.
The revolt was finally suppressed when the British captured Delhi on September 20, 1857, after prolonged and bitter fighting.
John Nicholson, the leader of the siege, was badly wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. Bahadur Shah was taken prisoner, and the royal princes were captured and publicly executed by Lieutenant Hudson at point-blank range.
The emperor was exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862, marking the end of the great House of Mughals.
Terrible vengeance was inflicted on the inhabitants of Delhi, and with Delhi's fall, the focal point of the revolt disappeared.
All major leaders of the revolt fell one by one:
Sir Colin Campbell occupied Kanpur on December 6, 1857. Nana Saheb, defeated at Kanpur, escaped to Nepal in early 1859 and was never heard from again.
Tantia Tope escaped into the jungles of central India but was captured while asleep in April 1859 and was executed.
The Rani of Jhansi had died on the battlefield earlier in June 1858. Jhansi was recaptured by Sir Hugh Rose.
By 1859, Kunwar Singh, Bakht Khan, Khan Bahadur Khan of Bareilly, Rao Sahib (brother of Nana Saheb), and Maulvi Ahmadullah were all dead, while the Begum of Awadh was compelled to hide in Nepal.
In Benaras, a rebellion was organized but was mercilessly suppressed by Colonel Neill, who executed all suspected rebels and disorderly sepoys.
By the end of 1859, British authority over India was fully re-established. The British government had to pour immense supplies of men, money, and arms into the country, which the Indians later repaid through their own suppression.
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