UPSC Previous Year Questions Mains: The Revolt of 1857 | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q.1. The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British Rule. Elucidate. (UPSC MAINS GS1 )

Answer:

Introduction

"The Indian Rebellion was not one movement … it was many,” as C.A. Bayly highlights, referencing Eric Stokes’ The Peasant Armed: The Indian Revolt of 1857. Throughout the first century of British rule in India, the subcontinent witnessed numerous uprisings. Kathleen Gough refers to many of these as “restorative rebellions” — attempts by discontented local rulers, former Mughal officials, and displaced zamindars to restore their traditional authority.
In the hundred years leading up to 1857, India saw over 40 major rebellions and countless smaller ones. However, these uprisings were mostly localized and isolated, each driven by distinct motivations.

Body

Peasant Uprisings

• Faqir and Sanyasi Rebellions (1770–1820s), Bengal & Bihar: These involved widespread resistance, with around 50,000 participants during their peak, making them one of the earliest popular uprisings against British economic exploitation.
• Revolt of Raja Chait Singh (1778–81), Awadh: Focused on preserving existing agrarian structures, this revolt continued sporadically until the 1830s.
• Polygar Rebellions (1799–1805), Andhra Pradesh: Led by the Polygars — feudal chiefs serving as military leaders — these revolts saw peasant participation and escalated before being violently suppressed.
• Paika Rebellion (1817), Odisha: A significant armed resistance led by Bakshi Jagabandhu, representing the regional backlash against Company rule.
• Faraizi Movement (1838–1848), Eastern Bengal: Pioneered by Shariatullah Khan and later Dadu Mian, this became the first no-tax campaign in India. Though localized, it continued in various forms until the 1870s.

Tribal Uprisings

• Bhil Uprisings (1818–1831), Khandesh (Maharashtra & Gujarat): The Bhils resisted British intrusion into their territory. Though suppressed in 1819, unrest persisted for over a decade.
• Kol Uprising (1831–32), Chhota Nagpur & Singhbhum (Bihar & Orissa): Known for its method of plunder and arson rather than mass killings, the rebellion had significant regional impact.
• Santhal Rebellion (1855–56), Eastern India: One of the most powerful tribal movements, the Santhal uprising spread across Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa in response to British exploitative policies and encroachment.

Conclusion

A century of economic exploitation, political domination, social discrimination, religious interference, and systematic suppression of resistance movements set the stage for the Revolt of 1857. It provided a unified platform for the disaffected leaders and communities of previous uprisings to challenge the British East India Company’s authority.

Q.2. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (UPSC MAINS GS1 )

Answer:

Introduction

The Revolt of 1857, also called the First War of Indian Independence, was the first large-scale uprising against British rule. Though it did not succeed, it exposed deep-rooted discontent and forced the British to rethink their colonial policies. It became a turning point in how India was governed thereafter.

1. Political and Administrative Changes

• One of the important events of Indian history is the 'Revolt of 1857' or 'India's first war of Independence' or 'The Sepoy Mutiny'.
• It was the first rebellion against the East India Company which took the massive form.
• It showed resentment towards British policies thus it acted as the watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
• It led to the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858 with the passage of Government of India Act and was thereafter directly governed by the Crown.
• A new post named Secretary of State was created. The Governor General became the Viceroy.
• Doctrine of Lapse was ended.

2. Socio-Religious and Legislative Changes

• Britishers felt westernization caused unrest, so they integrated Indian elites and ended such efforts.
• The government distanced itself from Christian missionaries.
• The revolt depicted Hindu-Muslim unity, prompting the divide and rule policy.
• Administrative changes led to Indian Council Act 1861, High Court Act 1861, and Civil Services Act 1861.

3. Military Reforms

• After the rebellion British reorganized the army and brought changes in the financial system and administration as well.
• These troops were replaced by new units recruited from castes hitherto under-utilized by the British and from the so-called "Martial Races", such as the Sikhs and the Gorkhas, which were not part of mainstream Indian culture.
• The British increased the ratio of British to Indian soldiers within India. From 1861 Indian artillery was replaced by British units.

Conclusion

The Revolt of 1857 changed British attitudes toward India. It led to direct Crown rule, military restructuring, limited Indian participation, and a conservative approach to social reform—laying the foundation for future nationalist movements.