1857 The Great Indian Revolt - Causes of Failure & Effects

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Causes of Failure

The revolt not spread all parts of India. The eastern, western and Southern part of India remained more or less unaffected.
Besides few Indian States, there was a general lack of enthusiasm among Indian rulers to Participate in the rebellion.
Many Zamindars, Talukdars and money lenders remained loyal or afraid of British.
The emerging educated middle class did not support the rebellion because they believed that only the British rule could develop and modernise the Nation.
There was no central authorities to organize and co-ordinate the revolt.
There was no common agenda that united the individuals, and the aspirations of the Indian princes.
The Indian soldiers were poorly equipped and on the other hand British soldiers equipped with modern weapons
The telegraph communication helped British Commanders to inform about the movement of the Rebels.
The Railroad connectivity helps British to send their soldiers to distant places very quickly.
The fearless leaders like Laxmibai, TantiaTope and Nana Sahib were no match to British commanders.
Lack of Unity among Indians because the Indians yet to known Nationalism.
Bengal, Bombay, Chennai, Northern Punjab & Rajputana areas not participated
Sikhs, Afghans and Gurkha troops helped British to control the revolt
Though the revolt was failure but it united Hindus and Muslims against a common enemy. All the leaders including Marathas acknowledged Bhahadur Shah as their emperor.

“A Wholly unpatriotic and selfish sepoy mutiny with no native leadership and no popular support” — Sir John Seeley.
“A Military mutiny speedily changed its character and became a national insurrection” — Colonel. Mallesan in his pamphlet titled “The Making of the Bengal Army”
The Historian Keene said the revolt was not a spontaneous one, it outbreak due to the various policies and schemes of British in India.
“As largely a real war of Independence” described by Edward John Thompson.
C. Majumdar denied the revolt as a war of Independence and he said “It is neither nation nor war of Independence, because major part of the country was unaffected”
It was never all India in Character, but was localized, restricted and poorly orgainsed” —- K. Datta.
D. Savarkar, in his book “The war of Indian Independence” published in 1909, argued that what the British had till then described as merely mutiny was, in fact, a war of Independence much like American war of Independence.
Though the 1857 great revolt failed but it paves the way for the modern National movement and the concept of Indian Nationalism.

Both the revolt started due to military regulations.
Immediate cause for 1806 was new turban whereas 1857 revolt’s was Cartridge.
Civilians were not participated in 1806 revolt but in 1857 many civilians joined with Army.
D. Savarkar called 1806 revolt as “Pioneer of Indian Independence War -1857”

It changed the administrative system of British in India.
A Royal Durbar was held at Allahabad on November 1, 1858 and issued the proclamation of Queen Victoria and it became the Indian Government Act 1858.
The Proclamation promised noninterference in traditional institutions and religious matter.
It ended the annexation and expansion policies and promised to respect native rulers.
The proclamation promised that Indians would be allowed in Government Services.
The Governor General of India changed as Viceroy which means representative. The first viceroy was Lord canning.
The East Indian Company was abolished and the administration came under the crown.
To administrate India the cabinet appointed Secretary of State assisted with 15 member council.
Court of Directors and Board of Control was abolished
The Army of East Indian Company was merged with that of crown
The Doctrine of Lapse and the policy of annexation to be given up
There were two changes took place in British Indian Army.
Firstly the numbers of Indians was significantly reduced and there were restrained to have control of the artillery.
Secondly they started recruited non-Hindus like Sikhs, Gurkhas and Pathan in Army.
British Army policy came to be dominated by the idea of “Divide and Rule or Division and counterpoise” policy.

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