Revolt of 1857
Last updated: 3 October 2026
The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale uprising against the rule of the East India Company. It began as a mutiny of Indian soldiers (sepoys) and spread to many parts of northern and central India. V. D. Savarkar called it the “First War of Indian Independence”.
How it began
- On 29 March 1857, Mangal Pandey attacked British officers at Barrackpore (near Kolkata). He was hanged on 8 April 1857.
- The revolt began at Meerut on 10 May 1857. The soldiers marched to Delhi and declared Bahadur Shah II (Zafar) the Emperor of India.
- The Governor-General of India at that time was Lord Canning.
Causes
| Type | Causes |
|---|---|
| Political | Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of states such as Awadh (1856) |
| Economic | Heavy land revenue, ruin of Indian handicrafts and industries |
| Social and religious | Fear of forced conversion and interference in customs |
| Military | Low pay and poor treatment of Indian soldiers |
| Immediate cause | Cartridges of the new Enfield rifle, believed to be greased with cow and pig fat |
Centres and leaders
| Centre | Indian leader(s) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Bahadur Shah II, Bakht Khan |
| Kanpur | Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope |
| Lucknow | Begum Hazrat Mahal |
| Jhansi | Rani Lakshmibai |
| Jagdishpur (Bihar) | Kunwar Singh |
| Faizabad | Maulvi Ahmadullah |
| Bareilly | Khan Bahadur Khan |
Why the revolt failed
- It did not spread to the whole country; much of the south and east stayed away.
- Many rulers and the educated middle class supported the British.
- The rebels lacked a common plan, modern weapons and central leadership.
Results
- The Government of India Act, 1858 ended the rule of the East India Company; India came directly under the British Crown.
- The Governor-General was also given the title of Viceroy; Lord Canning became the first Viceroy.
- A Secretary of State for India was appointed in the British Cabinet.
- Queen Victoria’s Proclamation was read out at Allahabad on 1 November 1858.
- The army was reorganised and the Doctrine of Lapse was given up.
Quick revision
- Began at Meerut on 10 May 1857.
- Mangal Pandey: Barrackpore, 29 March 1857.
- Governor-General: Lord Canning, who became the first Viceroy.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled to Rangoon (Yangon), where he died in 1862.
- Rani Lakshmibai led the revolt at Jhansi; Begum Hazrat Mahal at Lucknow; Kunwar Singh in Bihar.
- Government of India Act, 1858 ended Company rule.