The document provides background information on the Revolt of 1857 in India. It discusses the political, social, economic and military causes that led to the revolt. Key causes included the Doctrine of Lapse, social reforms imposed by the British, economic exploitation of India, and discrimination faced by Indian soldiers in the army. The immediate cause was the introduction of greased cartridges for the new Enfield rifle. The revolt began in Meerut and spread to Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow and other major centers. Key leaders included Bahadur Shah II, Nana Sahib, the Rani of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal. Though the revolt ultimately failed, it weakened British rule

1. CHAPTER 5
REBEL

2. (To be written in the notebook)
• Learning Outcomes:
• Students will
• Discuss the Nature of the Revolt.
• Explain the Causes of the revolt of 1857.

3. Glossary :
• The Revolt of 1857: The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was an armed uprising, mainly concentrated
in north central India, against the British East India Company which occurred between early
1857 and mid 1858. It is also known as the First War of Indian Independence.
• Resident :A colonial official acting as adviser to the ruler.
• Confiscated : To seize.
• Traitor: One who betrays one’s country.

4. Class Discussion:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0fYMIvtyU

5. PRE-ASSESSMENT(To be written in the notebook)
1. When did the revolt took place?
2. Who was the First Martyr of the Revolt of 1857?
3. Who was the Mughal ruler of Delhi at the time of the revolt
of 1857?
4. In which year the Enfield Rifle was introduced?
5. What did the Indian writer’s call the Revolt of 1857?

6. Background
• In the history of India, the year 1857 has a great importance. During this year, there occurred
a major revolt in India. Which shook the very foundation of the British rule in India.
• The English had almost completed their conquests in India by 1856,
• But they were not fair and just.
• So there was always a revolt in one part or other part of the country.
• They could not carry their rule peacefully.
• These revolts broke out due to the dissatisfaction amongst the people against the
government of the Company and its misrule.

7. The Revolt of 1857
•Historians have different views about the nature of the
Revolt of 1857.
•According to Indian writers like Ashok Mehta and Vir
Savarkar, this revolt was ‘First War of Independence’ due to
the following reasons.

8. Reasons for the First
War of
Independence
First this revolt had the
people’s support behind
it, that is why it had
spread so suddenly.
Secondly, both the
Hindus and Muslims
fought against the
British rule together,
as they were inspired
with nationalist
feelings.
Thirdly, the people from all
walks of life supported the
revolting soldiers as well
as the rulers to throw the
British rule out of their
country.

9. Contd
• In the real sense the Great Uprising of 1857 was an outburst of national sentiments.
• Indian rulers and the people had not accepted the Company’s rule.
• No doubt the Uprising was not well organized and it was premature,
but the nationalist character of the revolt cannot be underestimated.
So we can call it as India’s First War of Independence.

10. Causes of the Revolt / First War of Independence:
Major Causes of the Revolt of 1857
POLITICAL CAUSES SOCIAL CAUSES
ECONOMIC CAUSES MILITARY CAUSES
Doctrine of Lapse
Policy
Annexation of
Indian States Spread of Christianity
Social reforms like
abolition of sati
Ruining of Indian
Industries and
handicraft
Exploitation of
Natural Resources
and wealth
low salaries to
Indian Soldiers
No chance of any
promotion

11. Political Causes
Recall the Doctrine of Lapse
Policy from the previous
lesson.
Lord Dalhousie had
annexed Oudh to the
British Empire of the
pretext of misgovernment
The English also disbanded the
armies of the annexed states,
so those in the army lost their
means of livelihood. Due to
the policy of annexation no
ruler was feeling safe under
the British rule
The Muslims were also unhappy with
the British Company. It was declared
by the company that after the death of
Bahadur Shah II his successors could
not enjoy the title of Raja, held by the
Mughal Emperor. Further they would
have to leave the Royal Red Fort
The English even thought
themselves superior and
generally insulted the
Indians. They were
arrogant and rude. The
British administrators
were also corrupt and
inefficient
Many ruling families tried to negotiate with the
company to protect their interest. For Example
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the company
to recognize her adopted son as the heir to the
kingdom after the death of her husband. Nana
Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II,
pleaded that he be given his father’s pension
when the latter died. However, the company,
confident of its superiority and military powers,
turned down these pleas

12. Social and Religious Causes
The English introduced a number of changes in the Indian social life and customs like abolition of sati,
forbidding child marriage, allowing widow remarriage and banning girl-child infanticide. The orthodox Hindu
regarded these innovations as an interference in their social set-up.
The christian missionaries made a violent criticism of Hinduism and Islam . They tried to convert Indians to
Christianity by propaganda and by offering them good jobs or positions.
The introduction of railway meant that the untouchables would also travel in the same compartments as
Brahmins . The orthodox section considered it an attempt to defame their religion.
The government made teachings of Christianity in government schools and jails obligatory. It also confiscated
the lands allotted for temples and mosques, thus hurting the sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims.
A law of 1850 provided that a convert to Christianity, from any religion would be entitled to inherit ancestral
property. This was an indirect encouragement to the people to embrace Christianity.
The spread of western culture and English education was resented by the orthodox section of society, as they
thought it to be an affront to their authority and influence. All these measures produced resentment in the
general public.

13. Economic exploitation of India and her people became the most potent
cause of unrest. The English company and her officials carried away India ‘s
wealth to England in several ways.
By abolishing duties on British goods and imposing heavy duties on Indian
products, Indian Industries and crafts were ruined by the British.
India was converted into a market for the supply of raw material of England
and consumption of machine-made products from England.
India was converted into a market for the supply of raw material of England
and consumption of machine-made products from England.
By paying high salaries to the company’s officials, both in the civil and
military administration in British India and princely states, India’s wealth
was drained away to England. Indian states were required to pay heavy cost
for maintaining the Company’s forces and the Residents in their areas.
This economic exploitation,
impoverished India and her
people, which created
resentment

14. The Indian soldiers were discriminated. They were
considered inferior
The Indian soldiers could not hope to rise in the
hierarchy of the army as the avenues of promotion
were closed to them. The higher posts were
reserved for the European officers.
There was a great disparity between the
salaries of Indian and European soldiers. The
extra allowance which was given to the
Indian soldier's during the war was
withdrawn.
The Indian soldiers were also sent across the
sea which was forbidden as per Hindu religious
beliefs.

15. The Immediate Cause
In 1856, new cartridges name as Enfield rifle
were issued to Indian Army. Greased
cartridges were used were to be used in this
rifle.
Both Hindus and Muslim soldiers resented the use
of these cartridges. They regarded it as an
attempt to pollute them and their religion. This
feeling produced a spark to inflame the uprising
of 1857. The use of greased cartridges became the
immediate cause of this national event.
The soldiers had to bite at the end of
the cartridge before using it. The
cartridges were said to be greased
with the fat of pig or cow.

16. Background Notes

17. Written practice: Flow chart/Mind map: Causes of the revolt
of 1857

18. Portfolio: Research work
The Unforgettable Hero's of the Revolt. Choose any four of your choice.
Write about their acts of heroism in the Revolt of 1857.
•Map practice:
•On an outline map of India mark the main centers of the Revolt of
1857.(Worksheet will be provided)

19. Learning Outcomes:
•Students will
Identify the main centers and leaders of the revolt.
•Explain the effects of the failure of the revolt
•Describe the effects of the Revolt of 1857 on the colonial
rule.

20. Main Events of the Revolt
• On 29th March 1857, Mangal Pandey a Brahmin sepoy at Barrackpore, refused to use the
greased cartridge.
• When he was forced to do so, he flew up in the rage and killed two English soldiers.
• He was arrested and later on summarily tried and executed.
• The execution of Mangal Pandey sparked off revolts in Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi,
Lucknow, Banaras, Oudh, Bareily, Gwalior, and other places in northern and central India.

22. At Meerut about 85 Indian soldiers
refused to use the greased cartridges.
They were imprisoned and sentenced to
ten years of jail. On hearing this, their
friends killed English officials and freed
their friends from the prison, They also
set the bungalows of the English officials
on fire
MEERUT

23. After setting fire to the bungalows of English officials, the Meerut
sepoys marched towards Delhi. The local soldiers joined them.
The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar became the rallying point of
all those who were ready to end the British rule in India.
Even an arrest prevailed in the religious circles to overthrow the British
from India.
The soldiers from the adjoining areas also joined this rising.
Consequently this changed into a revolutionary war.
But Lord Sir John Nicholson became successful in suppressing this
rising with the help of the Sikh rulers of Punjab in September 1857 and
he recaptured Delhi. In this war Bahadur Shah was imprisoned and
sent to Rangoon Jail, wgherehe died in 1862.
A number of Indians were murdered under the rule of General Neil.
The sons of Bahadur Shah were also killed before his eyes.
Delhi

24. At Kanpur Nana Sahib who was denied his pension by
the British declared himself a Peshwa and led the rising.
His sepoys killed several British men and women
mercilessly and expelled the British troops from Kanpur.
Being a great patriot and skillful in guerilla warfare, his
commander, Tantia Tope, won the glory.
But the English troops under general Havelock took the
revenge of it and murdered a number of Indians.
Nana Saheb ran away to Nepal and escaped being
imprisoned by the English.
Kanpur

25. Begum Hazarat Mahal of Oudh who was the regent of
her son, led the rising at Lucknow with the help of the
disbanded soldiers of Oudh.
She besieged Sir Henry Lawerence and other officials in
the Residency.
She shot dead Sir Henry Lawerence . Although General
Havelock came to help the English troops, but he failed
in his mission.
General Neil also murdered in this rising. At last Sir
Collin Campbell became successful in defeating the
rebels and in recapturing Lucknow.
The Begum fled to Nepal and escaped being caught by
the English.
Lucknow
Case study: Oudh
Flipped class:
Student led class
followed by PPT .

26. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi led the rising in Central India. She
was a brave and patriotic woman.
The valiant general Tantia Tope also joined her. Although Rani
Lakshmibai fought very fearlessly, courageously and bravely,
yet she was defeated by the English forces due to the traitors
in her own camp.
The Rani ran away to Kalpi; the English General Sir Hugh Rose
followed both the Rani of Jhansi and Tantia Tope.
From Kalpi she went to Gwalior and seized it from Scindia, who
was the great supporter of the British rule in India.
Rani Lakshmibai died fighting in the battlefield. Tantia Tope was
captured and sentenced to death.
With the death of Rani Lakshmibai and Tantia Tope, the Rising
of 1857 ended.
Jhansi

27. Locate and label the Main Centres of the Revolt of 1857

28. Role play :
•Do a role play in class on any one leader of the Revolt of 1857.
•Or
•Imagine yourself as a television reporter during the uprising period.
Enact how you will present the events unfolding during the uprising.

29. The great leaders of the revolt of 1857 laid down their
lives because certain values were very dear to them.
Which values, in your opinion, were supported and
cherished by those leaders?

30. THE RISING OF 1857 UNPRECEDENTED
• The Rising of 1857 A.D was unprecedented. It was due to the following reasons:
• The rising was faster in its speed and wider in its extent than earlier revolts which took
place between 1765 and 1857 against the English.
• The people of all castes and religions took part in this rising, leaving behind all their
differences
• All the people, whether they were peasants or landlords, princes or paupers,
educated or uneducated were affected by the rising of 1857.
• Foundation of the company was shaken by this rising
• According to some historians, it was the first rising against the British rule, which was
carried on with a planning.

31. THE RESULT OF THE RISING
• The British had regained control of the country by the end of 1859, but they could
not carry on ruling the land with the same policies any more.
Given below are the important changes that were introduced by the British
1. The British passed a new Act in 1858 known as the government of India Act 1858 and
transferred the powers of the East India to the British crown in order to ensure a more
responsible management of Indian affairs.
The Board of control was abolished and the Board of Directors had no powers left. A member
of the British Cabinet was appointed secretary of State for India for India and made
responsible for all matters related to the governance of India.
He was given a council to advice him, called the India Council. The Governor-General of India
was given the title of Viceroy, that is, a personal representative of the Crown. Through these
measures the British government accepted direct responsibility for ruling India.

32. 2. All ruling chiefs of the country were assured that their territory
would never be annexed in future.
They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their Kingdoms
to their heirs, including adopted sons.
However they were made to acknowledge the British Queen as
their Sovereign Paramount.
Thus the Indian rulers were to hold their kingdoms as
subordinates of the British Crown.

33. 3.It was decided that the proportion of Indian soldiers in the
army would be reduced and the number of European soldiers
would be increased.
It was also decided that instead of recruiting soldiers from Awadh,
Bihar, central India and South India, more soldiers would be recruited
from among the Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathans.
4.The land and property of Muslims was confiscated on a large scale
and they were treated with suspicion and hostility. The British
believed that they were responsible for the rebellion in a big way.
5.The British decided to respect the customary religious and social
practices of the people in India
6.Policies were made to protect landlords and zamindars and give
them security of rights over their lands

34. DIFFERENTIATED TASK MY CHOICE BOARD
•1.The first war of Independence took place in 1857 but
India gained Independence in the year 1947.If India had
won the war in 1857.How could India be different at
present in terms of Economy and Education?
•2.Before the Revolt of 1857, the British spoke of a time
when the Indians would rule themselves. But after the
Revolt they said that Indians are unfit to rule. What made
them change their mind after the revolt?
•3.The leaders were motivated by their personal, gains
rather than love for their motherland. This is a statement
used to comment on the failure of the Revolt of 1857.
However do you think that this statement is valid even
today? Give you views and the reason to justify them.

35. WHAT IF
•What would have happened if the East India company was defeated
in the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny? How would this have shaped the future
of India?

36. Success Criteria
SUCCESS CRITERIA ALWAYS SOMETIMES
WORKING TOWARDS
IT
I can explain the main causes of the
Revolt of 1857.
I am able to list the main leaders and centers
of the revolt.
I can explain the effects of the failure of the
revolt and also describe the effects of the Revolt
of 1857 on the colonial rule
Explain the effects of the failure of the revolt
Describe the effects of the Revolt of 1857 on the colonial rule.

37. Thank you