Assignment 7.

1 (Pak Studies) Syed Muhammad Jamil Shah (2012-MIT-3303)

Reasons for failure of WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1857

In 1857 British faced a serious challenge to their rule in India. This war is called war of Independence. History There are many causes for this war which are: Political Religious and Social Economic Military

Reasons For Failure Of War of Independence 1857

Lack of Unity Although the whole Indian nation faced resentment against the British but the aims were different. The Muslim wanted to regain control and again set up the Mughal Empire. There was no general plan or a Leader. The princes did not want the Imperial power once again. There was no sense of patriotism and India was too dived for such a feeling. The only uniting force was Islam but the other groups opposed them which were Hindus and Sikhs as they did not want the rule of Muslim once again on the India. These were the reasons as British considered this as Muslim Revolt. Lack of Leadership and Discipline:
The freedom fighters fought mostly in independent groups at different places led by leaders of their particular regions. There was no leader who could single handed lead all the groups. The revolutionaries lacked discipline. Thus their efforts could not get the required momentum.

British Strength: The most powerful country of that time and because of Industrial Resolution they had High tech weapons. The British army was well trained and was much disciplined and they were provided with large weapons and Funds by the British government. The Perhaps the major reason for the failure of this uprising was the strength of the British. The Britain was Indians were still fighting with each other and in the meantime the British use it clever techniques and weapons to crush the rebellion furthermore it had the support of some loyal states like Kashmir who sent 2000 troops to support the British win the war. Superior Technology of English troops:
The British troops fought with latest weapons. They had the backing of the latest technology. There were also led by capable and experienced generals.

Return of British troops from Crimea: The War of Crimea ended in 1856. The British troops fighting there were free to return to the subcontinent. The War of Independence started in 1857. In the beginning the Company had to depend on the few soldiers present in the country. But soon afterwards the surplus troops from Crimea poured into Indo-Pakistan. These troops were experienced and equipped with latest weapons.

Lack of Resources:
The freedom fighter lacked resources of all types. They were short of equipment and food-stuffs. They had to face well equipped and well-organized enemy The Mughal Emperor had no treasury to support the war.

Lack of Popular Support:

The War of Independence never assumed the shape of a concerted national struggle. It lacked popular support. Although it spread to various parts of the country yet some places did not take part in the war.

Non-cooperation of the rulers of the State:

The rulers of different states of Indo-Pakistan did not come to help the freedom fighters. Thus the War remained confined to a few centres.

Non-Cooperation of Sikhs of Punjab:

The Sikhs of Punjab considered the Muslims as their traditional enemies. They decided to support the British in the War of Independence. The Sikh soldiers played a decisive role in the recovery of Delhi from the freedom fighters. Had the Sikhs not assisted the English in the war the history of Indo-Pakistan would have been different. Role of traitors: The British succeeded in finding traitors in the ranks of the freedom fighters. Maulvi Rajab Ali and Hakeem Ehsan Ullah blew off the royal ammunition depot at Delhi. Thus the revolutionaries suffered a great set back.

The Effects of the War

The failure of the war confirmed the British masters of India. The war did not loosen control but rather tightened it. The East India Company was abolished and the Britain took full control of the Indians affairs till indo-pak partition 1947.

The End