The Revolt of 1857, also called the First War of Indian Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India. It began on May 10, 1857, in Meerut as a mutiny by Indian sepoys of the British East India Company's army. The revolt quickly spread to major regions like Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and Gwalior. It was driven by a combination of political, economic, socio-religious, and military grievances, and was triggered by the use of greased cartridges that offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers. Though eventually suppressed by the British, the revolt marked a turning point in Indian history, ending Company rule and bringing India directly under the British Crown.

The Revolt of 1857 UPSC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Modern History subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article on the Revolt of 1857 UPSC, let us discuss in detail the various causes that led to the revolt of 1857, the prominent leaders of the revolt of 1857, nature of 1857 revolt upsc, its suppression, and its significance. 

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What was the Revolt of 1857?

The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company. The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 in the form of a mutiny of sepoys of the Company's army in the garrison town of Meerut. It then erupted into other mutinies and civilian rebellions, chiefly in the upper Gangetic plain and central India.

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The expansionist and imperialist policies of the British East India Company had negative impacts on all sections of society, including rulers, peasants, and traders. The revolt of 1857 was not solely triggered by one policy or event; instead, it arose from a combination of political, economic, administrative, and socio-religious factors. These causes are discussed briefly below: 

Read the article Political & Economic Causes of Revolt of 1857 here.

Political Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• British expansion through the Doctrine of Lapse led to the annexation of several princely states like Jhansi, Satara, and Nagpur.
• The annexation of Awadh (1856) angered both nobles and the common people.
• The British showed disrespect to the Mughal dynasty, declaring the end of the Mughal title after Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• Indian rulers and nobles lost trust in British promises and governance.

Economic Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• High land revenue policies burdened peasants and led to land loss.
• Traditional artisans and weavers suffered due to competition from British factory-made goods.
• Indian industries declined; many lost their livelihood (deindustrialization).
• Sepoys received low salaries and faced economic hardships.
• Farmers and zamindars were equally distressed by British economic exploitation.

Socio-Religious Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• British reforms like the abolition of Sati and Widow Remarriage Act were seen as interference in Indian customs.
• Christian missionary activities increased fear of religious conversion.
• Social laws threatened the caste system and religious practices.
• Both Hindus and Muslims feared loss of their identity under British rule.

Military Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• Discrimination in promotions and pay between Indian sepoys and British soldiers.
• High ranks were reserved only for Europeans.
• Posting sepoys overseas went against religious beliefs (loss of caste).
• The issue of greased cartridges with cow and pig fat hurt both Hindu and Muslim sentiments.
• Sepoys felt humiliated and betrayed by the British.

Immediate Causes of the Revolt of 1857

• In 1857, Indian sepoys were issued Enfield rifles with cartridges allegedly greased with cow and pig fat.
• Refusing to use the cartridges led to the court-martial of 85 sepoys in Meerut.
• On May 10, 1857, the revolt began in Meerut, which soon spread to other parts of North India.

Know more about the Social Causes of the Revolt of 1857!

Course of the Revolt of 1857

The simmering discontent among the Indian sepoys against the British East India Company was further fuelled by the order to use those greased cartridges. Sepoys refused to use the greased cartridges. This was considered insubordination by the British officials, who began to impose harsh punishments for sepoys. Thus began the revolt of 1857.

Let us discuss the course of the revolt of 1857 briefly.

To know about Robert Clive, check the linked article.

Leaders of the Revolt of 1857

In the following table, the storm centres of the revolt of 1857, the leaders who led the revolt at those centres and the British generals who suppressed the revolt are listed.

To know about the Military causes of the revolt of 1857, check the linked article.

The causes for the failure of the revolt of 1857 are listed below.

• Lack of coordination and unified leadership among the rebel forces.
• Superior military strength and resources of the British East India Company.
• Divide among different groups involved in the revolt, including regional, religious, and social divisions.
• Inadequate communication and slow dissemination of information among rebel forces.
• Lack of widespread support from Indian rulers and nobility.
• Strategic mistakes made by rebel leaders, such as poor planning and execution of military campaigns.
• Limited access to modern weaponry and military training for the rebel forces.
• British ability to exploit internal conflicts and rivalries within the rebel groups.
• British success in winning over or neutralizing key sections of Indian society, including some princely states.
• Reinstatement of British control and reinforcement of colonial rule after the suppression of the revolt.

Read the Second Anglo-Maratha War for UPSC here.

Impact of the 1857 Revolt

The effects of the 1857 Revolt have been listed below.

• End of the East India Company's rule: The East India Company had ruled India for over a century. The Revolt of 1857 showed that it was no longer able to maintain control of the colony. The British government decided to abolish the company and take direct control of India.
• Establishment of direct British rule: After the revolt, India was ruled directly by the British Crown. This meant that the British government had more control over the administration of India. They could make decisions without having to consult the East India Company.
• Creation of the Indian Civil Service: The Indian Civil Service was created in 1858. This was to provide a cadre of British officials to administer India. The ICS was recruited through a competitive examination. It was trained in British law and administration.
• Rise in nationalism among Indians: The Revolt of 1857 showed Indians that they could unite against the British and fight for their independence. This led to a rise in nationalism among Indians. It also led to the formation of new political organizations, such as the Indian National Congress.
• Renewed interest in Indian culture and heritage: Many Indians began to look back to their past and take pride in their traditions. This led to a revival of Indian art, literature, and music.
• Reorganization of the Army: The British army was reorganized to reduce the risk of another mutiny. The proportion of British soldiers in the Indian army was increased. Indian soldiers were no longer allowed to serve in groups from the same region.

To know about the Santhal Revolt, check the linked article.

The Revolt of 1857, an anti-colonial movement that fought against the imperialist policies of the British East India Company, is an important event that took place in Indian history. Though the revolt was suppressed later, it shook the foundation of British rule in India. With the end of the revolt of 1857, the era of territorial aggrandizement also ended. However, it paved the way for India's economic exploitation era.

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