Chapter 5: When People Rebel - 1857 and
After (Exam Notes)
1.0 Introduction: The Nature of the 1857 Uprising
The Revolt of 1857 was a pivotal moment in the history of modern India. Occurring after a
century of the East India Company's conquest and administration, it represented a massive and
widespread challenge to British rule. The uprising stands as one of the most significant armed
resistances to colonialism anywhere in the world during the nineteenth century.
To understand the events of 1857, it's crucial to distinguish between a 'mutiny' and a 'popular
rebellion'. A mutiny occurs when soldiers collectively disobey their officers within the army. A
popular rebellion is a much broader event where a large number of ordinary people rise up
against a common enemy, often the state or ruling power. The events of 1857 began as a sepoy
mutiny but quickly transformed into a popular rebellion, as a large number of people from
different sections of society rose up in rebellion against the Company's rule. This section will
explore the underlying causes that fueled such a widespread and powerful revolt.
2.0 Causes of the Revolt: Policies and the People
The uprising of 1857 was not a sudden event but the culmination of a century of British policies
that had systematically affected every segment of Indian society. The cumulative impact of
political, economic, military, and social changes eroded the power, wealth, and traditional
sentiments of kings, queens, peasants, landlords, and soldiers alike, creating a fertile ground for
rebellion.
2.1 Political Causes: Erosion of Power and Honour
The political grievances of Indian rulers were a major cause of the revolt. The East India
Company systematically dismantled their authority and honour through various policies.
● Loss of Authority: Since the mid-eighteenth century, the power of Nawabs and Rajas
had been steadily eroded. British Residents were stationed in their courts, limiting their
freedom. Their armed forces were disbanded, and their territories and revenues were
taken away in stages.
● Failure of Negotiations: The Company arrogantly dismissed the pleas of ruling families.
For instance, it refused Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi's request to recognise her adopted
son as the heir to the kingdom. Similarly, it turned down Nana Saheb's plea to be given
his father's pension after the death of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
, ● The Annexation of Awadh: Awadh was one of the last territories to be annexed. A
subsidiary alliance was imposed on it in 1801, and in 1856, Governor-General Dalhousie
annexed the state under the pretext of "misgovernance," claiming British rule was
necessary for proper administration.
● The Plan to End the Mughal Dynasty: The Company took deliberate steps to
undermine and end the Mughal dynasty, which still held symbolic importance for many
Indians:
○ The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the
Company.
○ In 1849, Governor-General Dalhousie announced that Bahadur Shah Zafar's
family would be shifted out of the Red Fort after his death.
○ In 1856, Governor-General Canning declared that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be
the last Mughal king, and his descendants would be recognised only as princes,
not kings.
2.2 Economic Grievances: Peasants and Zamindars
In the countryside, peasants and zamindars harboured deep resentment against the Company's
economic policies. They were burdened by high taxes and the rigid, inflexible methods of
revenue collection. Many failed to repay their loans to moneylenders and, as a result, gradually
lost the ancestral lands they had cultivated for generations.
2.3 Military and Sepoy Discontent
The Indian sepoys who formed the backbone of the Company's army had numerous reasons for
discontent, which made them a volatile element.
● Pay and Service Conditions: Sepoys were unhappy with their pay, allowances, and
general conditions of service.
● Violation of Religious Beliefs: Certain new rules went against their religious
sensibilities. A widespread belief held that crossing the sea would lead to a loss of one's
religion and caste. In 1824, when sepoys were ordered to go to Burma via the sea route,
they refused and were severely punished.
● The General Service Enlistment Act (1856): This new law mandated that every new
recruit in the Company's army had to agree to serve overseas if required, making a
potential violation of religious beliefs a condition of employment.
● Connection to the Countryside: Many sepoys were peasants themselves and had
families in the villages. Therefore, the anger and grievances of the peasantry quickly
spread among the ranks of the sepoys.
2.4 Socio-Religious Causes and Reforms
After (Exam Notes)
1.0 Introduction: The Nature of the 1857 Uprising
The Revolt of 1857 was a pivotal moment in the history of modern India. Occurring after a
century of the East India Company's conquest and administration, it represented a massive and
widespread challenge to British rule. The uprising stands as one of the most significant armed
resistances to colonialism anywhere in the world during the nineteenth century.
To understand the events of 1857, it's crucial to distinguish between a 'mutiny' and a 'popular
rebellion'. A mutiny occurs when soldiers collectively disobey their officers within the army. A
popular rebellion is a much broader event where a large number of ordinary people rise up
against a common enemy, often the state or ruling power. The events of 1857 began as a sepoy
mutiny but quickly transformed into a popular rebellion, as a large number of people from
different sections of society rose up in rebellion against the Company's rule. This section will
explore the underlying causes that fueled such a widespread and powerful revolt.
2.0 Causes of the Revolt: Policies and the People
The uprising of 1857 was not a sudden event but the culmination of a century of British policies
that had systematically affected every segment of Indian society. The cumulative impact of
political, economic, military, and social changes eroded the power, wealth, and traditional
sentiments of kings, queens, peasants, landlords, and soldiers alike, creating a fertile ground for
rebellion.
2.1 Political Causes: Erosion of Power and Honour
The political grievances of Indian rulers were a major cause of the revolt. The East India
Company systematically dismantled their authority and honour through various policies.
● Loss of Authority: Since the mid-eighteenth century, the power of Nawabs and Rajas
had been steadily eroded. British Residents were stationed in their courts, limiting their
freedom. Their armed forces were disbanded, and their territories and revenues were
taken away in stages.
● Failure of Negotiations: The Company arrogantly dismissed the pleas of ruling families.
For instance, it refused Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi's request to recognise her adopted
son as the heir to the kingdom. Similarly, it turned down Nana Saheb's plea to be given
his father's pension after the death of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
, ● The Annexation of Awadh: Awadh was one of the last territories to be annexed. A
subsidiary alliance was imposed on it in 1801, and in 1856, Governor-General Dalhousie
annexed the state under the pretext of "misgovernance," claiming British rule was
necessary for proper administration.
● The Plan to End the Mughal Dynasty: The Company took deliberate steps to
undermine and end the Mughal dynasty, which still held symbolic importance for many
Indians:
○ The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the
Company.
○ In 1849, Governor-General Dalhousie announced that Bahadur Shah Zafar's
family would be shifted out of the Red Fort after his death.
○ In 1856, Governor-General Canning declared that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be
the last Mughal king, and his descendants would be recognised only as princes,
not kings.
2.2 Economic Grievances: Peasants and Zamindars
In the countryside, peasants and zamindars harboured deep resentment against the Company's
economic policies. They were burdened by high taxes and the rigid, inflexible methods of
revenue collection. Many failed to repay their loans to moneylenders and, as a result, gradually
lost the ancestral lands they had cultivated for generations.
2.3 Military and Sepoy Discontent
The Indian sepoys who formed the backbone of the Company's army had numerous reasons for
discontent, which made them a volatile element.
● Pay and Service Conditions: Sepoys were unhappy with their pay, allowances, and
general conditions of service.
● Violation of Religious Beliefs: Certain new rules went against their religious
sensibilities. A widespread belief held that crossing the sea would lead to a loss of one's
religion and caste. In 1824, when sepoys were ordered to go to Burma via the sea route,
they refused and were severely punished.
● The General Service Enlistment Act (1856): This new law mandated that every new
recruit in the Company's army had to agree to serve overseas if required, making a
potential violation of religious beliefs a condition of employment.
● Connection to the Countryside: Many sepoys were peasants themselves and had
families in the villages. Therefore, the anger and grievances of the peasantry quickly
spread among the ranks of the sepoys.
2.4 Socio-Religious Causes and Reforms
