Revolt of 1857

Introduction

The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale armed uprising against British rule in India. It shook the foundations of the East India Company's power and led directly to the abolition of Company rule. V.D. Savarkar called it the "First War of Independence" in 1909. Whether one views it as a sepoy mutiny, a feudal rebellion, or a war of independence, its consequences were undeniable: the East India Company was dissolved, the British Crown assumed direct control, and the modern framework of colonial governance was established. For AP aspirants, this chapter requires careful attention to the often-overlooked Andhra dimension of the revolt.

Historical Context

By the 1850s, the East India Company had provoked nearly every section of Indian society. Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse (1848-1856) had annexed Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur by denying adopted heirs' succession rights. The annexation of Awadh in 1856 for alleged "misgovernance" displaced thousands and cut off the livelihood of 75,000 sepoys who came from Awadh. Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the last Peshwa, was denied his pension. The General Services Enlistment Act (1856) required sepoys to serve overseas, violating caste taboos. De-industrialisation had destroyed Indian handicraft industries. Into this volatile atmosphere came the final spark: rumours that the new Enfield rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat — offensive to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

Core Content

The Outbreak

On 29 March 1857, Mangal Pandey of the 34th Native Infantry refused to use the greased cartridges at Barrackpore. He was hanged on 8 April 1857. On 9 May, 85 sepoys at Meerut were court-martialed for refusing cartridges. The next day — 10 May 1857 — the full revolt erupted at Meerut. The sepoys broke open the jail, freed their comrades, and marched to Delhi. By 11 May, they had captured Delhi and proclaimed the aged Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of India.

Centres and Leaders

The revolt spread across North and Central India, with each centre producing its own leadership:

Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured after Delhi was recaptured on 20 September 1857 and exiled to Rangoon (Myanmar), where he died in 1862. Tantia Tope was a master of guerrilla warfare who fought on after other centres fell. Rani Lakshmi Bai was killed fighting at Gwalior in June 1858.

A significant feature of the revolt was Hindu-Muslim unity — both communities fought together against British rule. Begum Hazrat Mahal's principal complaints included the Company's demolition of both temples and mosques to build roads.

Suppression and Aftermath

Delhi was recaptured by the British on 20 September 1857. Peace was proclaimed on 8 July 1858 — the revolt lasted approximately 14 months.

Reasons for Failure:

• Limited geographic spread — concentrated in North and Central India; the South was largely unaffected
• No unified command — each centre fought independently without coordination
• Key states like Hyderabad, Mysore, and Kashmir remained loyal to the British
• The British had superior weapons, better communications (telegraph), and reinforcements from other regions

Consequences:

• East India Company abolished; Crown rule established through the Government of India Act 1858
• Doctrine of Lapse abolished; adoption rights were restored
• Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858) promised religious tolerance and non-interference
• British increased the proportion of European soldiers and restructured Indian regiments to prevent unity among soldiers
• The term "First War of Independence" was coined by V.D. Savarkar in 1909

AP Connection

While the revolt's main theatres were in North India, the Andhra region was not untouched. Coastal Andhra witnessed anti-British uprisings from Ganjam to Nellore. In September 1857, rebellion broke out in Rajahmundry district. There was an uprising at Masulipatam (Machilipatnam) in Krishna district.

In November 1857, approximately 400 Rohillas and Telugus attacked Jaggaiahpet, looting the treasury — one of the most significant incidents in the Andhra region. In August 1857, Telugu-language placards against the British appeared on the walls of Visakhapatnam. Hill and forest communities, including the Koyas and Savaras, participated in localised uprisings.

However, the Nizam of Hyderabad remained firmly loyal to the British — a fact that is critical for exam purposes (commonly asked as a negative question: "Which state did NOT participate in 1857?").

Key Points

1. Revolt began at Meerut on 10 May 1857; Delhi captured on 11 May 1857.
2. Immediate trigger: rumour of greased cartridges (cow and pig fat) for the Enfield rifle.
3. Mangal Pandey — refused cartridges at Barrackpore (29 March 1857); hanged 8 April 1857.
4. Bahadur Shah Zafar proclaimed Emperor of India; later exiled to Rangoon, died 1862.
5. Key leaders: Begum Hazrat Mahal (Lucknow), Nana Sahib (Kanpur), Rani Lakshmi Bai (Jhansi), Kunwar Singh (Bihar).
6. Rani Lakshmi Bai killed at Gwalior, June 1858 — "the best and bravest."
7. Hindu-Muslim unity was a notable feature of the revolt.
8. Delhi recaptured by British on 20 September 1857; revolt ended 8 July 1858.
9. Revolt failed due to limited geographic spread, no unified leadership, and loyalty of key states.
10. Hyderabad, Mysore, and Kashmir did NOT join the revolt.
11. Consequence: EIC abolished; Crown rule began (GoI Act 1858).
12. Doctrine of Lapse abolished; adoption rights restored after the revolt.
13. Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858) promised religious tolerance.
14. V.D. Savarkar coined "First War of Independence" in 1909.
15. In AP: Jaggaiahpet attack (November 1857) and Telugu placards in Vizag (August 1857).
16. Awadh contributed 75,000 sepoys to the Company army — its annexation was a major trigger.
17. After suppression, British restructured Indian regiments to prevent soldier unity.

Exam Strategy

• Match centre to leader — this is a perennial APPSC question: Delhi = Bahadur Shah; Lucknow = Begum Hazrat Mahal; Kanpur = Nana Sahib; Jhansi = Rani Lakshmi Bai; Bihar = Kunwar Singh.
• Hyderabad did NOT revolt — this is the single most important AP-specific fact. Expect a negative-phrasing question.
• Key consequence: Company rule ended, Crown rule began. Know the specific act (GoI Act 1858).
• In AP: Jaggaiahpet attack (November 1857) and Telugu placards in Visakhapatnam (August 1857) are the most frequently asked incidents.
• V.D. Savarkar coined "First War of Independence" in 1909 — know both the term and the coiner.
• Distinguish Doctrine of Lapse from Awadh: Awadh was annexed for "misgovernance," not under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Key Terms Glossary