Kerala Plus Two History Notes Chapter 11 Rebels and the Raj The Revolt of 1857 and its Representations
The 1857 mutiny (It is also called the First War of Independence) was the first effort of Indians to throw the British Raj out. It resulted from the dissatisfaction of Indians because of the anti-Indian policies of the British. British rule had created dissatisfaction among all sections of Indians. In 1857, it burst into a mutiny. It was the Sepoys in the Indian army that started the mutiny. Soon it became a nation-wide mutiny. It shook the base of the British Raj in India.
The Mutiny began in the military camp of Meerut on 10 May 1857. It started in the Native Infantry and soon it spread to the Cavalry.
The British did many things to capture the Princely States. Accusing the rulers of maladministration, they took over Awadh. Using the Law of Adoption, they acquired Jhansi and Satara. In all the places they took over, they implemented their own administrative system, laws, and land tax systems. They also arranged for the collection of taxes.
The British could not suppress the 1857 mutiny so easily. They took legal, military, and diplomatic strategies to suppress it.
The mutineers were killed in the most brutal manner. The thirst for their revenge is reflected in this. Some were killed by shooting and some were hanged. They also sent out pictures of the killings through their journals.
Timeline
1801 – Lord Wellesley introduces Military Aid System in Awadh.
1856 – Nawab Khalid Ali Shah removed from the throne. Awadh captured.
1856-57 – Temporary Tax system was introduced inAwadh.
10.5.1857 – Revolt starts in Meerut
10, 11.5.57 – Revolt in Delhi – Bahadur Shah takes up the leadership
May 30 – Revolts in Aligarh, Itawa, Mainpuri, and Ita
May-June – In the Chinhat Battle, the British lost.
Sept 25 – Under the command of Havelock and Outram, the British army enters Lucknow Residency.
1859 – Rani Laxmibai killed in battle.