Revolt of 1857

How it Started ?

How It Started ?

• East India company was formed in 1600 AD

• After the battle of Plassey and Buxar they gained political power in India.

• Their main Aim was to exploit Indians and drain their wealth

• Their exploitation led to dissatisfaction among the Indians which led to first political upsurge which was the revolt of 1857.

• It was the most significant movement of resistance again European colonial rule.

• It marked an important landmark in our struggle of independence as it was the first time all sections of society came together fought against the british.

• First war of independence

• Indian rebellion

• Sepoy mutiny

Different Names

Different Names of The Revolt of 1857

East India Company

• 1600-East India Company was formed

• 1757-Battle of Plassey. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula lost to British East India Company

• 1765-Mughal emperor gives rights to EIC for revenue collection in Bengal

• 1767-First Anglo Mysore War between Hyder Ali and EIC

• 1773-British EIC gets monopoly to sell opium in Bengal

• 1799-Tipu Sultan killed at Battle of Srirangapatnam

• 1803-Second Anglo Maratha war and fall

• 1843-Doctrine of lapse came into force to capture Sindh province

• 1857-Indian Sepoy Mutiny

Robert Clive

Lord Wellesley

• Introduction of doctrine of lapse by Lord Dalhousie-(1848)
• if the king died without the male child the kingdom would be taken away by the britishers.

• Example -Rani Laxmi Bai and Nana sahib’s kingdom was taken away by the British

• Subsidiary Alliance by Richard wellesely-(1798)
• Indian rulers were not allowed to have their own army .

• They would be protected by the company and had to maintain the British army

• If the rulers failed to pay the alliance their territories were taken by the british

• Example -Nawab of Hyderabad and Awadh in 1801 was affected by this policy
• Claim of paramountcy by Lord Hastings-(1813)
• The company claimed that it’s authority was supreme hence it’s power is greater than that of Indian states.

Political causes

Political Causes

Rani Laxmi Bai

Industrialization

Economic causes

Economic Causes

• Agriculture :
• The farmers were forced to grow indigo .
• The crops were sold to British at a low price.

• Heavy taxation :
• The peasants and farmers had to pay taxes which led to poverty and indebtedness.

• Zamindari system or permanent settlement system:
• Under this system the land rights of the peasants were taken away and given to landlords(Zamindars)

• Destruction of trade:
• The Indian traders were only allowed to trade with the British at low prices.

• Industrialization:
• Cotton mills were setup in Britain and raw materials for the industries was purchased from India at a very low price
• the craftsmen and artisans became unemployed.
• This destroyed Indian industries.
• The clothes produced in the industry was sold at a cheap price in India

Indigo Factory in West Bengal

Sati System

Social & Religious Causes

Social and Religious causes

• Interference of British in Indian religion by :
• Abolition of Sati
• Hindu widow remarriage act
• Ban on child marriage

• Racial discrimination :
• Indians were considered inferior by the Britishers.

• Fear of converting them into Christianity

• Introduction of western culture in India

Military causes

Military Causes

• Low salaries to soldiers

• Highest post given to Indians was Subedar.

• No special allowance was given.

• They were forced to take pledge for fighting outside the country.

• Indian armies was disbanded.

• The ratio of Indian soldiers was less as compared to the British in the army.

Enfield Rifle

SPREAD OF RUMOURS:

• Introduction of new rifle ‘ENFIELD'

(1853)

Rumour spread that the cartridges for the new rifle was greased with pig and cow fat which led to widespread anger between Hindu and Muslims that they were forced to change their religion into Christianity.

Immediate causes

Immediate Causes

Worksheet

Q1. Who introduced subsidiary alliance?

a) William Bentink

b) Lord Dalhousie

c) Richard wellesley

Q2. Who introduced doctrine of lapse?

a. Warranty Hastings

b. Lord Dalhousie

c. Charles cornwallis

Q3. Who introduced claim of paramountacy?

a) Lord Dalhousie

b) Lord Hastings

c) Charles Cornwallis

Q4. East India company was formed in __

a) 1591 AD

b) 1600 AD

c) 1602 AD

Q5 The revolt of 1857 is also called __

a) The First War of Independence

b) Indian Rebellion

c) Sepoy Mutiny

d) All of the above

Q6 Under which system land rights were taken away from peasants?

a) Mansabdari system

b) Jagirdari system

c) Zamindari system

Q7Who abolished sati ?

a) Lord Dalhousie

b) Lord Wellesley

c) Lord William Bentick

When was Mangal Pandey hanged?

a) 28th March

b) 29th March

c) 8th March

Q. Who was declared as the ruler of the revolt?

a) Rani laxmi Bai

b) Bahadur Shah Zafar

c) Kunwar singh

GIVE ONE WORD

Q. Where did the revolt of 1857 start from?

Q.Who led the revolt from Delhi?

Q. Name some leaders that led the revolt of 1857?

Questions

Q) Delhi was taken over by Britishers on____

a) 21st September

b) 15th September

c) 20th September

Q) Bahadur Shah Zafar was deported to ___where he died in __

a) Rangoon, 7th November 1862

b) Rangoon, 1st November 1862

c) Lucknow, 7th November 1862

Questions

Q.What is claim of paramountcy?

Q.How was revolt of 1857 Suppressed?

What Lead to the Failure of Revolt

• Lack of coordination among the Sepoys and leaders.

• Movement was limited to northern and central India

• Use of outdated weapons

• British generals were well trained

• Educated middle class did not participate in the revolt

• It created an uncertain situation in the country for which the people were not mentally prepared.

Give reasons

Q. Why did the revolt of 1857 failed?

Q. Why did the educated middle class did not participate in the revolt?

Q. Why was Mangal Pandey hanged?

Q. What was the impact of revolt of 1857 ?

Q. What was the immediate cause of the revolt?

Correct the following statements if false

• Subsidiary alliance was introduced by Lord Dalhousie

• The company claimed that it’s authority was supreme

• The peasants were forced to give up their land

• Indians were given equal rights

• Doctrine of lapse was not abolished after the revolt of 1857

• The East India company was formed in 1600 AD

IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING

IDENTIFY

LONG QUESTION

Q. Why did east India company came to India ?

Q.Why were indians mocked by Britishers?

Q. Why the revolt of 1857 failed?

Q. How the revolt of 1857 impact India?

Q Explain the causes of Revolt of 1857?

Q.What were the rumors that spread and led to the revolt of 1857?

Q. What were the military causes of revolt of 1857?

Q. Explain the following

a) Subsidiary Alliance

b)Doctrine of Lapse