Main (Key) point of The First War of Independence

Causes, Consequences, and Failure of The First War of Independence (1857)

• 1. Causes of the War:
• 2. Nature of Revolt: War of Independence? or Sepoy Mutiny?
• 3. The Events of the War:
• 4. Consequences of the War:
• 5. The Causes of our Failure:

1. Causes of the War:

Political Causes:

1. The Doctrine of Lapse.
2. Discourtesy to the Mughal Emperor.
3. Treatment to Nana Saheb (Refusal of Pension).
4. Annexation of Awadh.
5. Unpopular Administration.
6. The Vague and Floating Rumors

Religious & Social Causes:

1. Fears regarding mass conversion to Christianity.
2. Laws that interfered with the religion and customs of the people.
3. Introduction of Railways and Telegraphs.
4. Indignities hurled at the Indians.
5. Fears regarding English Education.

Economic Causes:

1. The ruin of trade & Handicrafts.
2. Impoverishment of the cultivators.
3. India reduced to an Agricultural Colony of the British.
4. Inhuman treatment to the Indigo - cultivators.
5. Annexation of rent free lands and estates.
6. Loss of livelihood.
7. Large - scale famines.

Military Causes:

1. Low salary and poor prospects of promotion.
2. Faulty distribution of troops.
3. Disproportion between Indian and British troops.
4. Social distance between British officers and Indian soldiers.
5. Discontent in the Bengal Army.
6. Loss of prestige in the Afghan war.
7. General Service Enlistment Act.

The immediate cause 

(Introduction of the Enfield rifles).

2. Nature of Revolt: War of Independence? or Sepoy Mutiny?

A War of Independence

Veer Savarkar and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose referred it as the First War of Independence. It united the Hindus and the Muslims.

A Sepoy Mutiny:

R.C. Majumdar and Sir John Lawrence viewed it as a mere Sepoy Mutiny. It was localized, restricted and unorganized.

The Revolt developed into a War of Independence:

Besides the Sepoys, millions of people took part and it became a national uprising.

3. The Events of the War:

1. Jhansi:

Rani Laxmi Bai took the command but lost to the British.

2. Lucknow:

Begum Hazrat Mahal took the command. On 30th May, there was a severe rising. In March 1858, Lucknow fell into the hands of the Britishers.

3. Kanpur:

Nana Saheb directed the operation, but was defeated on 5th December.

4. Delhi:

Soldiers in Meerut reached Delhi on 11th May, where local troops joined them.

5. Meerut:

On 6th May, soldiers who refused to touch the cartridges were sentenced to imprisonment. On 10th May, Indian Soldiers revolted.

6. Other Parts of India:

In Bihar, war was fought by Kunwar Singh. Similar uproar was observed in Gaya, Ranchi and Haryana.

4. Consequences of the War:

1. End of Company's rule and changes introduced in the Administrative set up.
2. Policy towards the Indian princes and chiefs (No annexation with limited rights).
3. Reorganization of the Army.
4. Solemn promises made to the people of India.
5. Policy of ‘Divide and Rule’.
6. Economic exploitation.
7. Rise of Nationalism in India.

5. The Causes of our Failure:

1. Lack of Coordination among the leaders.
2. Lack of efficient leadership.
3. Superior equipments and resources of the British.
4. The war was localized.
5. No scheme of a national state.