Consequences of the Revolt of 1857
Indian Rebellion of 1857 was often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Insurrection, the First War of Independence, and the Revolt of 1857. Indian Rebellion of 1857 is one of the first major uprisings against the British government or the British East India Company which during that time acted as the representative of the British Crown.
The rebellions began on 10 May 1857. It started in the form of a mutiny of sepoys of the Company’s army in the town of Meerut, This led to various other rebellions in other parts of the country like central India. These rebellions were considered a threat to the power of East India company in India. This rebellion ended with the defeat in Gwalior on 20 June 1858. After that, the British government granted amnesty to all rebels who were not involved in any kind of murder. This Rebellion officially ended in 1859.
Causes of 1857 Revolt
- The immediate cause of the revolt was the introduction of the”‘Enfield’ rifle”. The Indian sepoys believed that it was greased with the fats of cows and pigs, which was against religious sentiments.
- The discrimination that the lower caste people faced in the east Indian company army. The army practices various higher caste rituals and took measures to segregate the people based on caste.
- With the increasing expansion plans of the British Government, there was a scope that the power of Nawabs and Zamindars in various places will be reduced or completely taken away.
- With the British government passing various rules and acts as a plan to take away the king domes and provinces of the rulers, the rulers of those states were against the British and supported the rebellion.
- The various tax and revenue systems introduced by the British government created unrest among the people and supported the rebellion.
Impacts of the revolt of 1857
- Since the beginning of the rule of the East India Company in India, it has continued to exploit the country and its people for its resources. This revolt acted as a reminder to the British Crown of the power the people of the country held.
- Due to the high intensity of rebellion in many places the British crown reconsidered the capability of the East India Company as the ruling authority in India. This acted as proof of the incompetence of the east India company.
- After seeing the Inability of East India Company to rule India, The rule of East India Company was abolished. And a direct British Government was formed to govern the country.
- The Government of India Act was passed in 1858 by the British Government. According to this Act, the rule of the East India Company was abolished and a new British Government was formed. The status of East India Company was again as a trading company. The role and responsibility of the Governor-General became more. The Governor-Generals role in the government became more interactive and effective. Governor-General also acted as Viceroy.
- Earlier the difference between the Governor-General and Viceroy was that the Governor-General was a representative of the British Parliament and the Viceroy was a representative of the British Crown. The Board of Control was abolished and a new ministry was created. It was known as India House’ and was headed by the Secretary of State for India who was also a minister of cabinet rank. The British Parliament created a panel of various advisers with experience in various fields as the 15 advisers of India House. The Indian House acted as the link between the British parliament and the Indian governance.
- After the revolt of 1857, the British crown lost its confidence in the loyalty of the Indian army and took measures to correct it. The number of soldiers in the army was reduced to almost half in just five years and the number of England soldiers increased.
- After the revolt of 1857, the British government started using the divide and rule policy to ensure their rule over the country.
FAQs on Impacts of 1857
Question 1: What is the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
Indian Rebellion of 1857 was often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny, the Indian Mutiny, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Insurrection, the First War of Independence, and the Revolt of 1857. Indian Rebellion of 1857 is one of the first major uprisings against the British government or the British East India Company which during that time acted as a sovereign power as a representative of the British Crown.
Question 2: What are the causes of the revolt of 1867?
Answer:
The discrimination that the lower cast people faced in the east Indian company army. The army practices various higher cast rituals and took measures to segregate the people based on caste. With the increasing expansion plans of the British Government, there was a scope that the power of Nawabs and Zamindars in various places will be reduced or completely taken away.
Questions 3: What was the impact of the revolt on the East India Company?
Answer:
Due to the high intensity of rebellion in many places the British crown reconsidered the capability of the east India company as the ruling authority in India. After seeing the Inability of East India Company to rule India, The rule of East India Company was abolished. And a direct British Government was formed to govern the country. The Government of India Act was passed in 1858 by the British Government. According to this act, the rule of the East India Company was abolished and a new British Government was formed. The status of East India Company was once again as a trading company.
Question 4: How did the Revolt change the Indian Army?
Answer:
After the revolt of 1857, the British crown lost its confidence in the loyalty of the Indian army and took measures to correct it. The number of soldiers in the army was reduced to almost half in just five years and the number of England soldiers increased. After the revolt of 1857, the British government started using the divide and rule policy to ensure their rule over the country.
Questions 5: Why did many princely states participate in the revolt?
Answer:
With the increasing expansion plans of the British Government, there was a scope that the power of Nawabs and Zamindars in various places will be reduced or completely taken away.
With the British government passing various rules and acts as a plan to take away the king domes and provinces of the rulers, the rulers of those states were against the British and supported the rebellion.
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