The Revolt of 1857 Class 5 Notes SST

The Industrial Revolution

• Other European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, and French also sought Indian textiles and spices in exchange for goods from their own countries.
• There was competition and conflict among European nations for trade dominance in India.
• The British emerged victorious in pushing out their European rivals.

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How Britishers Became Rulers?

India was divided into small states with weak rulers who were selfish and lacked patriotism. The rulers were constantly fighting each other for minor advantages. Britishers exploited the disunity among Indian rulers to their advantage. Initially traders, the Britishers eventually became the rulers of India.

Rise of East India Company

British traders initially aimed to maximize wealth from India by exporting raw materials and importing factory-made goods. 

• The East India Company gradually gained political control over Indian states, influencing farming practices and the pricing of products.
• Farmers were forced to grow Indigo for England even during famines, with British traders determining the prices of Indian goods.
• Silk sales were restricted to British traders at fixed rates, impacting local weavers and artisans negatively.
• Dhaka muslin import was banned in Britain to protect their products, leading to losses for Indian artisans and states.
• Local zamindars and nawabs faced Company interventions, resulting in unemployment and discontent among various Indian groups.
• The Indian handloom industry suffered due to competition with cheap factory-made cloth, leading to job losses for weavers.
• Many Indian people were unhappy and without jobs. They showed their unhappiness through various revolts, but most of these were small and unorganized, making it easy for the Company rulers to stop. The biggest revolt happened in 1857, which is seen as India's first fight for freedom.

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The Revolt of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 began with discontent among East India Company soldiers due to mistreatment by British superiors, low pay, and lack of promotion prospects.

• The introduction of a new rifle with cartridges greased with pig and cow fat caused outrage among Hindu and Muslim soldiers who refused to use them.
• Initial outbreaks occurred in Berhampur and Barrackpore, escalating into a widespread rebellion starting in Meerut on May 10, 1857.
• The revolt expanded to northern and central India with the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, becoming its symbolic leader.
• Various leaders emerged, including Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope, and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, who played significant roles in the rebellion.

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Impact of the Revolt of 1857

February and the rebellion of Mangal Pandey at Barrack Pore on 29th March gradually took the form of a wildfire.

• The rebellion quickly spread across northern and central India. The last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah, was declared its leader, with various leaders emerging in different places like Jhansi and Avadh. 
• The British  crushed the revolt, executing Bahadur Shah's sons and punishing many others severely. Despite its brutality, the revolt failed to achieve its goals. 
• The East India Company was dissolved, and direct British rule was established, with Indian princes under strict British control. The rebellion of 1857 sparked a desire among Indians to end British rule, leading to a struggle that lasted for 90 years.