Revolt of 1857 – Causes and Effects Complete Notes for Competitive Examinations

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Revolt of 1857 – Causes and Effects

Complete Premium Notes for Competitive Examinations

(Useful for JKSSB, JKPSC, SSC, UPSC, UGC NET, Banking, CUET, State PCS and Other Exams)

Introduction

The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale uprising against the rule of the British East India Company in India.
It began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut and spread to different parts of northern and central India.

The revolt is also known as:

First War of Indian Independence

Sepoy Mutiny
Indian Mutiny of 1857
Great Revolt of 1857

Historians’ Views

Historian	View
V.D. Savarkar	First War of Independence
R.C. Majumdar	Not a national movement
S.N. Sen	National uprising
British historians	Sepoy Mutiny

Background of the Revolt

Before 1857, the British had expanded their control over India through:

Subsidiary Alliance

Doctrine of Lapse
Annexations
Economic exploitation
Military dominance

Indian rulers, peasants, artisans, soldiers, and common people became dissatisfied with British policies.

Causes of the Revolt of 1857

The causes can be divided into:

Political Causes
Economic Causes
Military Causes
Social and Religious Causes
Immediate Cause

1. Political Causes

(A) Doctrine of Lapse

Introduced by Lord Dalhousie.

According to this policy:

If an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the British.

States Annexed

State	Year
Satara	1848
Jhansi	1854
Nagpur	1854
Sambalpur	1849

Impact

Angered Indian rulers.

Destroyed traditional royal authority.

Important Point

Rani Lakshmibai became one of the strongest opponents of British rule because of this policy.

(B) Annexation of Awadh (Oudh)

In 1856, Awadh was annexed on the pretext of maladministration.

Effects

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was removed.

Soldiers, nobles, and taluqdars lost power and income.
Deep resentment developed among people.

Important Point

Many sepoys in the British army belonged to Awadh.

(C) Disrespect to Mughal Emperor

The British announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah II, his descendants would lose royal privileges.

This insulted Indian sentiments.

(D) Expansionist Policy

British interference in Indian kingdoms increased political insecurity among rulers.

2. Economic Causes

(A) Exploitation of Peasants

Heavy land revenue systems:

Permanent Settlement

Ryotwari System
Mahalwari System

Farmers suffered from:

High taxes

Debt
Poverty

(B) Destruction of Traditional Industries

British machine-made goods flooded Indian markets.

Effects

Indian artisans lost employment.

Handloom industry declined.

Important Point

India became:

Supplier of raw materials

Market for British products

(C) Drain of Wealth

Indian wealth was continuously transferred to Britain.

This theory was later explained by Dadabhai Naoroji.

3. Military Causes

(A) Discrimination Against Indian Soldiers

Indian sepoys:

Received low salaries

Had fewer promotions
Faced racial discrimination

(B) General Service Enlistment Act (1856)

Indian soldiers could be sent overseas.

Many Hindus believed crossing the sea would destroy caste purity.

(C) Immediate Cause – Enfield Rifle Cartridges

The new Enfield rifle cartridges were rumored to be greased with:

Cow fat

Pig fat

Soldiers had to bite the cartridge before use.

Religious Impact

Hurt Hindu sentiments (cow sacred)

Hurt Muslim sentiments (pig unclean)

This became the spark of revolt.

Beginning of the Revolt

Mangal Pandey Incident

Mangal Pandey attacked British officers at Barrackpore in March 1857.

He was executed on:

8 April 1857

Revolt at Meerut

On 10 May 1857:

Sepoys in Meerut revolted.

British officers were attacked.
Prisoners were released.

The rebels moved toward Delhi.

Spread of the Revolt

Centre	Leader
Delhi	Bahadur Shah II
Kanpur	Nana Sahib
Lucknow	Begum Hazrat Mahal
Jhansi	Rani Lakshmibai
Bihar	Kunwar Singh
Faizabad	Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah

Major Centres of Revolt

Delhi

Rebels declared Bahadur Shah II as Emperor of India.

Delhi became the symbolic centre of revolt.

British Recapture

Delhi was recaptured in September 1857.

Kanpur

Led by Nana Sahib.

Important Incident

British forces surrendered at Satichaura Ghat.

Lucknow

Led by:

Begum Hazrat Mahal

Lucknow witnessed prolonged fighting.

Jhansi

Rani Lakshmibai fought bravely against British forces.

Important Point

She died in 1858 at Gwalior.

Famous statement:

“Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi.”

Bihar

Kunwar Singh led the revolt despite being nearly 80 years old.

Nature of the Revolt

Historians differ regarding the nature of revolt.

Features

Military uprising

Peasant participation
Anti-British sentiment
Regional character

Limitations

No common national ideology

Limited geographical spread
Lack of unified leadership

Causes of Failure of the Revolt

(1) Lack of Unity

Different leaders had different objectives.

(2) Limited Area

The revolt mainly spread in:

North India

Central India

Southern India and Punjab remained mostly unaffected.

(3) Lack of Modern Weapons

British had:

Better weapons

Better communication
Better transportation

(4) No Common Leadership

There was no central command.

(5) Support to British

Some rulers supported British:

Patiala

Hyderabad
Gwalior Scindia

Effects / Consequences of the Revolt

1. End of East India Company Rule

The rule of the British East India Company ended in 1858.

India came under direct control of the British Crown.

2. Government of India Act 1858

Key Features:

Post of Governor-General became Viceroy.

Lord Canning became first Viceroy.
Secretary of State for India appointed in Britain.

3. Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)

Promises:

Religious tolerance

Equal treatment
Non-interference in Indian traditions

4. Reorganization of Army

Changes:

Ratio of British soldiers increased.

Indian artillery reduced.
Recruitment policy changed.

British adopted:

Divide and Rule policy

5. Rise of Nationalism

The revolt inspired future freedom movements.

It created:

National consciousness

Anti-colonial feelings

6. Policy Changes Toward Princes

British stopped aggressive annexation.

Indian princes were now treated more carefully.

Important Personalities

Personality	Contribution
Mangal Pandey	Started resistance at Barrackpore
Bahadur Shah II	Symbolic leader
Rani Lakshmibai	Leader of Jhansi
Nana Sahib	Led Kanpur revolt
Tatya Tope	Military commander
Begum Hazrat Mahal	Led Lucknow revolt
Kunwar Singh	Led Bihar revolt

Important Dates

Event	Date
Mangal Pandey Revolt	29 March 1857
Revolt at Meerut	10 May 1857
Delhi captured by rebels	11 May 1857
Government of India Act	1858
End of Company Rule	1858

Important Examination Points

Very Important Facts

First major revolt against British rule.

Started at Meerut.
Bahadur Shah II was last Mughal emperor.
Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
Lord Canning was first Viceroy.
Enfield rifle controversy became immediate cause.

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. The Revolt of 1857 started from:

A. Delhi
B. Meerut
C. Kanpur
D. Lucknow

Answer:

B. Meerut

2. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?

A. Lord Curzon
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Lord Canning
D. Warren Hastings

Answer:

B. Lord Dalhousie

3. Who was the last Mughal Emperor?

A. Akbar II
B. Bahadur Shah I
C. Bahadur Shah II
D. Shah Alam II

Answer:

C. Bahadur Shah II

4. The immediate cause of revolt was:

A. High taxes
B. Doctrine of Lapse
C. Greased cartridges
D. Annexation of Awadh

Answer:

C. Greased cartridges

5. Who led the revolt in Jhansi?

A. Begum Hazrat Mahal
B. Nana Sahib
C. Rani Lakshmibai
D. Tatya Tope

Answer:

C. Rani Lakshmibai

6. Who became the first Viceroy of India?

A. Lord Dalhousie
B. Lord Canning
C. Lord Curzon
D. Lord Ripon

Answer:

B. Lord Canning

Statement Type MCQs

(One or More Options Correct)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Revolt of 1857:

The revolt started at Meerut.
Bahadur Shah II was declared Emperor of India.
Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Canning.

Options:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

B. 1 and 2 only

2. Which of the following were causes of the Revolt of 1857?

Annexation of Awadh
Economic exploitation
Greased cartridges controversy
Introduction of Subsidiary Alliance

Options:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

3. Which leaders were associated with the Revolt of 1857?

Nana Sahib
Tatya Tope
Begum Hazrat Mahal
Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Options:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:

B. 1, 2 and 3 only

4. Which of the following were effects of the Revolt of 1857?

End of East India Company rule
Introduction of Crown rule
Rise of nationalism
Abolition of Viceroy post

Options:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:

C. 1, 2 and 3 only

Previous Year Type Questions

1. Match the following:

List I	List II
Jhansi	Rani Lakshmibai
Kanpur	Nana Sahib
Bihar	Kunwar Singh
Lucknow	Begum Hazrat Mahal

Correct Match:

All correctly matched.

2. Assertion and Reason

Assertion (A):

The Revolt of 1857 failed.

Reason (R):

There was lack of unified leadership and coordination.

Options:
A. Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

Answer:

A

Revision Box

Remember These Keywords

1857 Revolt

Meerut
Enfield Rifle
Doctrine of Lapse
Bahadur Shah II
Rani Lakshmibai
Nana Sahib
Government of India Act 1858
Queen Victoria Proclamation
First War of Independence

Conclusion

The Revolt of 1857 was a landmark event in Indian history. Although it failed militarily, it ended Company rule and laid the foundation for future national movements against British colonialism. It awakened political consciousness and became a symbol of resistance and sacrifice in India’s freedom struggle.

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