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WAR OF INDEPENDENCE (1857)

• Causes, Events and Causes of Failure

• Muslims in India

• Arrival-South India, Makran and Sind

• Attacks from the North-Ghaznavids(1014 AD-1160AD)

• Establishment of the Muslim Rule 1206

• Slave Dynasty (1206 -1290)

• Khiljis(1290-1320)

• Tughluq (1320-1413)

• Sayyeds(1414-1445)

• Lodis(1451-1526)

• Surs(1538-1554)

• Mughuls(1526-1538, 1554-1857)

• Events

• Extension of the British power (EIC)

• Started from Bengal moved to the South and then finally reached Delhi in
1803

• Mughal king became a titular in the hands of EIC in 1803

• Mughal rule confined to the Red Fort of Delhi

• Reasons-Political

• Doctrine of Laps

An adopted child of an indian princley state ruler was denied to become a natural
heir of parent and thus the state was annexed

• Treatment of the British

– Contemptuously treated the natives “a single shelf of European

literature is better than the entire collection of Oriental books”

• Cultural Reasons
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– Dalhousi proposed that the Mughal emperor title should not be used by
the king’s heirs.

– Cultural arrogance of the British

• Seclusion from the Natives

– Abolished Sati- burning of the widow along with her deceased husband

– Lord Canning in 1850 allowed the converts to other religions to inherit

the property of their Muslim or Hindu parents or ancestors.

• Grievances of the Sepoys

– Posting in far-away places. Burma 1824 and Afghanistan war 1839,

China and Persia

– These soldiers were given extra money then they were asked to do it
without any money. If somebody violate the order he was dismissed
from the service.

– Brahmins were unwilling to cross the sea while they were given
documents to sign at the time of appointment to obey the orders of EIC

– Soldiers were not allowed to wear earnings while in uniform

• Christian Missionary

– Missionary Schools and local people perceptions- threat to their

religion.

– Encouragement of students in learning Christian teaching e.g. debates

in Bible themes and awarding prizes to the winners

– Government officials religious discussions with their subordinates

• Immediate Cause

Introduction of a new rifle called ‘Enfield’ (January 1857).

Its cartridge smeared with grease and had to be bitten at one end of the user. use
of cows and pigs fat. A sepoy had to bite the cartridge before its use. Cow is sacred
to Hindus and pig is prohibited for the Muslims

• Events

• Started at Meerat on May 9, 1857.

• Marched towards Delhi

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• Joined by local people its strength rose to 5000

• Bahadur Shah Zafar proclaimed as emperor of Hindustan on May 11, 1857

• He started as ruler and Commander in Chief. His sons Mirza Abu Baker, Mirza
Mandu and Mirza Khizar Sultan were appointed as commanders

• General Bakht Khan marched from Rai Bareilly with 14000 army men which
strengthen the position of freedom fighters.

• Besiege of Delhi by the British

• Freedom fighters fought for four months

• Dissension among the courtiers

• Arrival of the Sikh contingent from Punjab

• The decisive factor was the British artillery.

• The British army enters in the city on September 20, 1857.

• Emperor fled away from the fort and took shelter in the tomb of Humayun

• He was persuaded by Bakht Khan to continue fighting but failed.

• Bakht Khan fled to Awodh

• Bahdur Shah Zafar trialed in the court exiled to Rangoon

• He died in 1862 and buried in Rangoon.

• Causes of Failure

• Absence of an organized plan (but Mawlavi Ahmadullah plan a year ago)

• British troops superior to the Indians

– Control over the communication system e.g. postal service and

telegraph

• Support of certain local forces, particularly the Sikh from Punjab

• The princely states did not join the war e.g. Deccan etc.

• Aftermath of 1857

• End of EIC rule

• India under the direct rule of British Queen

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• Policy of annexation was ended

• Ill-treatment of the Muslims

– 27000 Muslims hanged in Delhi

– Property was taken away from those who fought against the British.