The 1857 Uprising

The revolt of 1857 was the first most severe outburst of anger and discontent accumulated in the hearts of Indian people ever since the inception of British rule. Although British historians dismiss it as “sepoy mutiny”, the Indian historians term it as “first war of independence”. Though the revolt was begun by Indian soldiers serving in the East India Company, it had soon proliferated all over tl4e country. The British were exploiting the Indian riches, imposing their religion, resorting to conversions, forcing soldiers to use cartridges greased with lard, intensely pushing their “divide & rule” policy, and repressing the slightest opposition to their colonial policies. Though it began successfully, the uprising did not sustain the surge it began with and failed because of lack of planning, organization and leadership.

Nevertheless, the consequences are an important chapter in Indian history as East India Company’s rule was replaced with the rule of British Kingdom, the freedom fighters became wiser, and the Moguls rule ended. It is an event every Indian is proud of.