The 1857 revolt began as a mutiny of sepoys in Meerut in response to the new cartridges but quickly escalated. Dissatisfaction had been growing among Indians due to British policies like annexation, doctrine of lapse, and economic exploitation. In Delhi, Bahadur Shah II was declared the leader but the city fell to the British in September 1857. The revolt spread to Awadh, Kanpur, Jhansi, and other regions, led by figures like Nana Sahib, the Rani of Jhansi, and Khan Bahadur Khan, but it was suppressed by July 1858. The revolt weakened Mughal power and led the British to transfer control of India to the Crown

1. THE REVOLT OF
1857

2. THE GREAT REVOLT
THE FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

4. Mangal Pandey

5. THE OUT BURST
On 9th May 1857, on the parade
ground of Meerut, 85 Indian
troopers were court martialled.
Their Crime: -These troopers
had refused to load their rifles
with the new cartridges.

6. ABOUT THE NEW CARTRIDGE
A rumour had spread that the
new cartridge contained the
fat of cow and pig.
HINDUS COW WAS SACRED
MUSLIMS PIG MEAT WAS FOBIDDEN BY QURAN

7. SPREAD OF THE REVOLT
 On 10th May 1857 men of 3rd Light Cavalry
stormed the barracks jail and released
their comrades.
 Soon the Indian civilians joined the
mutineers and killed about 50 Europeans.
 The news spread like wild fire. The
already simmering anger against British
burst out into a violent storm.

8. Causes of the Revolt of 1857
Political Causes
Social Causes
Religious Causes
Economic Causes
Administrative Causes
Military Causes

9. POLITICAL CAUSES
Lord Dalhousie’s policy
of annexation and the
Doctrine of lapse had
made the Indian rulers
angry and insecure.

10.  The Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai was not
allowed to adopt a son.
 In case of disputed interpretation, the
decision of the East India Company was
binding & that of the court of the Directors
was final.
 Regal titles of the Nawab of Carnatic &
Tanjore were abolished. The imperial title
of the Moghul Emperor was discontinued
after Bahadur Shah II.
 The pension of Nana Saheb (Peshwa Baji
Rao II’s adopted son) was stopped.

11. Nana Saheb

12. Rani of Jhansi

13. Rani of Jhansi

14. In case of a dispute, the
decision of the East India
Company was binding
and that of the court of
the directors was final.

15. The Muslim feelings had
been badly hurt when after
the death of Bahadur Shah
II, Lord Canning took away
regal titles and Moghul
palaces.

16. Thousands became
unemployed when the
English, under Lord
Dalhousie annexed
Oudh.

17. Namaste & Welcome!!!
In Today’s Lecture…
THE REVOLT OF 1857
 Social Causes
 Religious Causes

18. SOCIAL CAUSES
The British were
rude and used
abusive and
insultive language.

19. The practice of sati
was abolished. Child
marriage, infanticide
and polygamy were
not allowed.

20. The European juries
allowed European
criminals with little
or no punishment.

21. RELIGIOUS CAUSES
Hindus and
Muslims were
forced into
Christianity.

22. British Officers
abused the name of
Ram and Muhammad.

23. Idolatry was
denounced. Hindu
deities were ridiculed.

24. Namaste & Welcome!!!
In Today’s Lecture…
THE REVOLT OF 1857
 Economic Causes
 Administrative Causes
 Military Causes

25. ECONOMIC CAUSES
The British had drained
India of all her wealth
and natural resources by
selfish economic policies.

26. ADMINISTRATIVE CAUSES
Unrest spread among
the landlords of Bengal
when William Bentinck
took away rent free
estates from them.

27. Lord Dalhousie
confiscated
thousands of jagirs
in the Deccan.

28. After Oudh was
annexed, the estates
of Zamindars and
Taluqdars were
confiscated.

29. High posts and
handsome salaries were
given to the British. This
caused frustration
amongst Indians.

30. MILITARY CAUSES
Immense
discrimination
between the Indians
and the British.

31. The Indian sepoys were
deprived of high salaries
and promotions. The
highest post for an
Indian was that of the
Subedar.

32. New recruits had to
travel across the
sea. It was
forbidden as per
Hindu belief.

33. The British army
exposed its vulnerability
in the First Afghan war,
the Sikh war and the
Crimean war.

34. The Indian sepoys
were required to work
far off without extra
Bhatta or payment.

35. The privilege of free
postage enjoyed by the
sepoys was withdrawn
with the passing of the
Post Office Act 1854.

36. IMPORTANT CENTRES OF REVOLT
MEERUT
DELHI
OUDH
KANPUR
JHANSI & GWALIOR

37. MEERUT
 9 May 1857, 85 Sepoys were court martialled.
 They had refused to use new cartridges.
 Next day their companions attacked the jail.
 Sepoys were freed.
 Officers & Europeans were killed.
 Revolters headed towards Delhi.

38.  On 12th May 1857, Delhi was seized by rebels.
 Some Europeans were shot dead.
 Bhahadur Shah II was persuaded to support.
 Loss of Delhi was a prestige loss for British.
 On 14th September 1857, British attacked.
 On 20th September 1857, British regained Delhi.
 Bahadur Shah & Zeenat Mahal fled to Humayun’s tomb.
 But were followed & captured by General Hudson.
 3 sons killed & the king & queen exiled to Rangoon.
 The king died in 1862.
DELHI

39. RED FORT, DELHI

40. ZEENAT MAHAL & BAHADUR SHAH II

41. GENERAL HUDSON

42.  Oudh annexed by Lord Dalhousie.
 The Nawab of Oudh exiled to Calcutta.
 But his wife Begum Hazrat Mahal and 11 year old son continued
to live in Oudh but in very poor condition.
 So people of Oudh were angry.
 The revolt broke out on 4th June 1857.
 Henry Lawrence, the British Resident, with some Europeans with
some hundred sepoys took refuge in a Residency.
 Begum seized Residency and killed Henry & some others.
 In November, Sir Colin Campbell (Commander-in-Chief) attacked
with Gorkha regiment.
 In March 1858, the city was finally recaptured.
 The rebels driven to Nepal border to die in bad climate or
captured by Gorkhas.
OUDH (LUCKNOW)

43. BEGUM HAZRAT MAHAL

44. COLIN CAMPBELL

45.  Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao was proclaimed
the Peshwa.
 He led the revolt in Kanpur with Tantia Tope, his assistant.
 After a fierce battle, General Sir Hugh Wheeler surrendered on
27th June 1857.
 Nana Saheb assured safe passage of British to Allahabad.
 General James O’Neil (At Allahabad & Banaras) inhumanly ill-
treated Indians.
 Angry Indians killed the passing British citizens.
 In June 1857, The General defeated Nana Sahib.
 In November 1857, Nana Sahib & Tantia Tope recaptured Kanpur
back.
 On 6th December 1857 General Campbell reoccupied Kanpur.
 Nana fled to Nepal (died there) and Tantia joined Rani Laxmibai.
KANPUR

46. NANA SAHIB

47. TANTIA TOPE

48.  In June 1857, the troops at Jhansi revolted.
 Rani Laxmibai (widow of Raja Gangadhar Rao) declared ruler.
 Tantia Tope joined her after Kanpur was lost.
 On 3rd April 1858, Sir Hugh Rose recaptured Jhansi.
 Laxmibai escaped to Kalpi (near Gwalior) where Tantia joined her.
 Both marched to Gwalior.
 Sir Hugh Rose also marched to Gwalior and captured in June
1858.
 Rani died fighting bravely.
 Tantia escaped southward but was betrayed by his friend Man
Singh.
 Tantia was finally hanged.
JHANSI & GWALIOR

49. RANI LAXMIBAI

50. TANTIA TOPE

51. HANGED RUTHLESSLY

52. OTHER CENTRES OF REVOLT
Bareilly:
Khan Bahadur Khan proclaimed himself the ruler.
Bihar:
Zamindar Kunwar Singh raised the revolt
Banaras:
Banarasis organised a rebellion.
(All were subsequently suppressed by British)

53. OUTCOME
The revolt was
completely
suppressed and
crushed by July
1858.

54. CAUSES OF FAILURE OF THE
REVOLT
The revolt was localized and was
poorly organized.
The British had better resources than
the rebels.
The revolt was feudal in character.
The leaders lacked military skills.
The native princes did not join the
revolt.

55. MAJOR IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
… the revolt was considered to be an
awakener and the first effort towards the
freedom and independence.
…the British just considered it to be a mere military revolt.

56. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
1) The control of Indian administration was
transferred form the company to the
crown by the GOI Act 1858

57. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
2) The Queen promised to respect Rights &
dignity. General amnesty to all offenders
except murders.

58. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
3) The Indian army was reorganised.
Included Sikhs, Gurkhas & Pathans.

59. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
4) The Mughal dynasty ended with the
extinction of Bahadur Shah II & was
replaced by British Crown.

60. The Last Mughal Emperor

61. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
5) Freedom of religion granted.

62. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
6) As per Queen’s Proclamation, more
Indians joined the administration.

63. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
7) Racial animosity increased.

64. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
8) The British introduced the policy of Divide
& Rule that led to the partition of India in
1947.

65. IMPACT OF THE REVOLT
9) The British exploited the economy
further.