Objectives

• To find the causes for the failure of 1857 revolt.

• How revolt of 1857 contributed towards independence.
• To analyse main result for out break of 1857 revolt.

Limitations
- Divide and Rule policy:
The former rule of Divide and rule was the first that the government made to rule and govern all the
major British provision states and Indian princely states.
- Impalement of Tax structure:
The government imposed illiberal tax structure and used to collect high taxes and also greater return
on profits. However, the burden of which levies on small peasants, farmers, and small traders.
- Loss of lives:
The regime of British government the country suffered the loss of many lives such as in Jallianwala
Bagh Massacre, the rebellion of 1857, etc. During the World, War government used to recruit many
Indian citizens to join the troops even if they are not interested which results in loss and loss of
lives.
- Exploitation of resources:
The government duly exploited the resources of the country and traded them in another country in
order to earn revenue and capture the trade market.1

Methodology
The method of research adopted is both empirical and doctrinal in nature. During the period of
research, certain sources have been thoroughly studied. Facts and c laims state d have been
supported with appropriate data wherever necessary. Many articles, journals , bare acts and reports
by various institutions have been studied.

Chapters
I. Political and Administrative Reasons for 1857 revolt

1"Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of British Rule in india." World Blaze. July 11, 2017.
Accessed January 25, 2018. https://www.worldblaze.in/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-
british-rule-in-india/.
The expansionist and annexationist policies of the British power in India made all the Indian rulers,
big and small, Hindu and Muslim look with suspicion and develop hatred towards the British power
in India.
II. Economic Causes:
Added to political and administrative distrust for the British East India Company, the economic
policies of the British resulted in impoverishing all the segments of the Indian society except a
handful of collaborators among the Indians.
III. Social and Religious Causes:
The British were so arrogant and haughty, that a police regulation published by a magistrate at Agra
categorically states “Every native, whatever his pretended rank may be, ought to be compelled,
under heavy penalties, to salaam all English gentlemen in the streets and if the native is on
horseback or in a carriage, to dismount and stand in a respectful attitude until the European has
passed him.”

IV. Military and Immediate Causes:

Besides the above political and administrative, economic, social and religious grievances, another
major cause was the unrest of the sepoys in the army of the British.
V. Main causes for the Failure of the Revolt of 1857:
- The revolt did not spread to all parts of the country. Nor was it supported by all groups and
sections of the Indian society. South and West India remained largely outside the fold of the
revolt. Many Indian rulers refused to help the rebels and some were openly hostile to the rebels
and helped the British in suppressing eh revolt. The middle and upper classes and the modern
educated Indians also did not support the revolt.
- The revolt was an un-organized effort. The rebels lacked an ideology or programme which could
be implemented in the captured areas. None of them knew what to do after the capture of a
region.
- The leadership of the movement was weak. Most of its leaders lacked a national perspective and
were motivated by narrow, personal gains. They fought to liberate only their own territories. No
national leaders emerged to coordinate the movement and give it a purpose and direction.
- The rebels were short of weapons and finances. Whatever few weapons existed were outdated
and no match for the sophisticated and modern weapons of the British. The rebels were also
poorly organized. The uprisings in different parts of the country were uncoordinated. Often the
 sepoys were an uncontrolled group of people. They were unable to carry through their early
military successes.2

Reference
• "India's Freedom Struggle 1857-1947: A Short History." Oxford Scholarship. November 05, 2014.
Accessed January 20, 2018. http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/
9780195627985.001.0001/acprof-9780195627985.
• "Top 4 Causes of the Revolt of 1857 In India." History Discussion - Discuss Anything About
History. August 08, 2015. Accessed January 25, 2018. http://www.historydiscussion.net/history-
of-india/top-4-causes-of-the-revolt-of-1857-in-india/2083.

• "India's Freedom Struggle 1857-1947: A Short History." Oxford Scholarship. November 05, 2014.
Accessed January 25, 2018. http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/
9780195627985.001.0001/acprof-9780195627985.
• "Peasant and Tribal Movements During British East India Company." History Discussion -
Discuss Anything About History. August 08, 2015. Accessed January 25, 2018. http://
www.historydiscussion.net/articles/peasant-and-tribal-movements-during-british-east-india-
company/2081.

• "Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of British Rule in india." World Blaze. July 11, 2017.
Accessed January 25, 2018. https://www.worldblaze.in/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-british-
rule-in-india/.

2"Peasant and Tribal Movements During British East India Company." History Discussion -
Discuss Anything About History. August 08, 2015. Accessed January 25, 2018. http://
www.historydiscussion.net/articles/peasant-and-tribal-movements-during-british-east-india-
company/2081.