Science History Chapter 5: When People Rebel Class 8 Notes

Causes of the Rebellion of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 was not a sudden incident but the culmination of a century of brewing discontent across diverse segments of Indian society. Nawabs and Kings felt threatened as their authority and honor eroded under British expansionist policies like the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse. Crucial states like Awadh were annexed in 1856 on charges of misgovernment.

Economically, peasants and zamindars suffered under heavy taxation and aggressive revenue collection methods, often losing ancestral lands to moneylenders. In the military domain, sepoys serving the British East India Company faced severe discrimination. They were paid lower wages, denied promotions, and faced constant threats to their religious beliefs. The enforcement of the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 (mandating overseas travel, which violated upper-caste Hindu taboos) and the introduction of greased cartridges for the Enfield rifle (believed to contain cow and pig fat) served as the immediate trigger for this historical military mutiny turned popular uprising.

Important Terminology

Mutiny

A collective rebellion or active resistance against established authority, specifically by soldiers or sailors.

Sepoy

An Indian soldier serving under British or other European orders in the colonial Indian army.

Doctrine of Lapse

An annexation policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, stating that any princely state under direct influence of the East India Company would be annexed if the ruler died without a male heir.

Firangi

A Persian term used in India to denote foreigners, especially Europeans, often carrying a derogatory tone during times of conflict.

Ghazis

Religious crusaders or fighters who participated in the rebellion, motivated by holy or cultural causes.

Paramount Power

The supreme political and military authority claimed by the British Crown over Indian states.

Chronological Timeline of the Revolt

1. March 29, 1857 — Outbreak at Barrackpore — Mangal Pandey, a young soldier of the 34th Native Infantry, mutinies at Barrackpore, attacking his officers. He is subsequently arrested and hanged on April 8.
2. May 9, 1857 — Disobedience in Meerut — Eighty-five sepoys in Meerut refuse to use the new greased cartridges. They are dismissed from service and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
3. May 10, 1857 — Outbreak of Mutiny — Soldiers in Meerut storm the jail, release their comrades, attack British officers, and capture ammunition, declaring a formal war against British rule.
4. May 11, 1857 — March to Delhi — The Meerut sepoys ride through the night to reach Delhi. Local regiments join them, kill British officers, and proclaim Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the symbolic leader of India.
5. Mid-1857 — The Rebellion Spreads — Uprisings flare up across major northern centers. Key local leaders—such as Nana Saheb in Kanpur, Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi, and Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow—mobilize local populations.
6. September 1857 onwards — British Counter-offensive — The British mobilize reinforcements, systematically recapture Delhi, try and exile Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon, and execute major rebel leaders, suppressing the rebellion by 1859.

Comparison: British Policies Before vs. After 1857

Must Remember Key Points

• The revolt of 1857 is historically regarded as the First War of Independence of India.
• Mangal Pandey’s action at Barrackpore set off the spark, but the formal military rebellion broke out in Meerut on May 10, 1857.
• Bahadur Shah Zafar served as the political and unifying figurehead of the revolt, bringing together disparate local rulers under one banner.
• Key leadership nodes: Nana Saheb led Kanpur; Rani Lakshmibai led Jhansi; Begum Hazrat Mahal led Lucknow; Kunwar Singh led Bihar (Arrah); Bakht Khan led Delhi.
• Lord Canning was the Governor-General of India when the rebellion started and became the first Viceroy after the 1858 Act was passed.
• The Government of India Act 1858 dissolved the East India Company and transferred administrative authority to the British Crown.
• A Secretary of State for India was appointed in London, assisted by an advisory body called the 'India Council'.
• The lack of centralized coordination, modern military hardware, and unified pan-Indian support (several rulers remained loyal to the British) led to the rebellion's collapse.

Exam Tips & High-Yield Strategy

1. Map Identification: Always practice placing major rebel centers (Meerut, Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Bareilly) on the political map of India. This is a guaranteed 2 to 3-mark question.
2. Cause & Effect Questions: Organize the causes of the revolt in clear bullet points under specific subheadings: Political, Economic, Social, Military, and Immediate Causes to secure full marks.
3. Post-Revolt Consequences: Questions regarding how British administration altered after the revolt (The Government of India Act 1858) are high-priority essay questions. Focus on the five policy modifications shown in our comparison table.

Quick Revision Check

• What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857? The immediate cause was the introduction of the new greased cartridges for the Enfield rifle, which were rumored to be coated with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
• How did the British suppress the revolt in Delhi? The British brought in heavy reinforcements, recaptured Delhi in September 1857, imprisoned Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, and executed his sons.
• What major change did the Government of India Act of 1858 bring? It abolished the rule of the East India Company and transferred all administrative powers to the British Crown, making India a direct colony governed by a Secretary of State.
• Who was Kunwar Singh, and what was his role in the rebellion? Kunwar Singh was an old zamindar from Arrah, Bihar. He joined the rebel sepoys and provided military leadership, fighting the British forces for many months.

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