Why revolt of 1857 as first war of independence

The issue of greased cartridges and military grievances has been over-emphasized, as the factor for the Revolt of However, recent researches have proved that the cartridge was not the only cause for this revolt. In fact, multiple causes i.

Social and Religious Causes: The British had abandoned its policy of non-interference in the socio-religious life of the Indians. Christian missionaries were allowed to enter India and carry on with their mission of proselytizing. The Religious Disabilities Act of modified the traditional Hindu law. According to it, the change in religion would not debar a son from inheriting the property of his heathen father. Economic Causes: British rule led to the breakdown of the village self-sufficiency, commercialization of agriculture which burdened the peasantry, adoption of free trade imperialism from , de-industrialization, and drain of wealth all of which led to the overall decline of the economy.

Military Grievances: The extension of British dominion in India had adversely affected the service condition of the Sepoys. They were required to serve in an area away from their homes without the payment of extra Bhatta. An important cause of Military discontent was the General Service Enlistment Act, , which made it compulsory for the sepoys to cross the seas, whenever required.

The Post Office Act of withdrew the free postage facility for them. Political Causes: The last major extension of the British Indian territory took place during the time of Dalhousie.

The annexation of Baghat and Udaipur was, however, canceled and they were restored to their ruling houses. When Dalhousie wanted to apply the Doctrine of Lapse to Karauli Rajputana , he was overruled by the court of Directors.

It is time realise our follies, look back and understand the origin of these fault lines as it would help us to do away with them and have a more cohesive social order.

It was an assertion of the sociocultural identity of Bharatiya society which was under attack by the British. Share Via. By Arun Anand. The views expressed are personal. Get our Daily News Capsule Subscribe. Thank you for subscribing to our Daily News Capsule newsletter.

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin. Sign Up. Edit Profile. Subscribe Now. Your Subscription Plan Cancel Subscription. The Mughal empire, though powerless with its authority mostly limited to the Red Fort, was considered by the mutineers as the unifying factor of the revolt. The old Mughal king, Bahadur Shah Zafar, agreed to head the mutiny.

The revolt gathered force rapidly and cut across north India like a sword. The tremendous sweep and breadth of the Revolt was matched by its depth.

Everywhere in northern and central India, the mutiny was followed by popular revolts of the civilian population. It is the wide participation in the Revolt by the peasantry and the artisans which gave it real strength as well as the character of a popular revolt.

The revolt of is significant for various reasons. The revolt created a sense of nationhood among the Indians by uniting them politically, culturally and socially against a foreign rule. It also became the basis of the more popular and widespread struggle for independence at the beginning of the 20th century.