sepoy mutiny definition world history importance

The Indian army under British rule faced poor terms of service and pensions, discriminatory pay, (British soldiers received better wages) limited prospects of promotion, and increased cultural and racial insensitivity from British officers.General Wheeler, for example, preached openly to sepoys under his command in Cawnpore (now known as Kanpur) stating: “I have told them plainly that they are all lost and ruined sinners both by nature and by practice.” (April 1857) By the mid-19 th century, British and American missionaries were a familiar presence in Indian towns, cities and villages. There were general public fears of forced conversion to Christianity. There were increased fears from Indian people that their traditional way of life was being threatened.Under the Doctrine of Lapse, the East India Company took control over more than 25 states in India in the 1800s. Thus after the ruler had died or abdicated, their land would be annexed. The Doctrine of Lapse involved the British prohibiting a Hindu ruler without a natural heir from adopting a successor. British imposition in India can be highlighted by the introduction of the Doctrine of Lapse, which was applied significantly by Lord Dalhousie in the late 1840s.Introduction of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (1856) can be viewed as evidence of inappropriate and unpopular culture interference, particularly in regards to the social norms of widowhood in India.

Though, it has been said that the British often imposed these ‘reforms’ without regard for Indian culture.

Changes such as outlawing Sati (a widow’s suicide by fire) and child marriage were viewed from a British perspective as progressive reforms.

Historians have argued that British and Western values were seen to have been imposed upon Indian society. Beginning as a monopolistic trading body, the Company became involved in politics, law and order, representing British imperialism in India from the early 18th century to the mid-19th century. The East India Company was an English company formed in 1600. British paramountcy, the belief of British dominance in Indian political, economic, cultural and social life, had been introduced in India around 1820. To explain the events of the Indian Uprising it is necessary to address the discontent and tensions amongst India people leading up to 1857. The Uprising began in Meerut by sepoys in the service of the British East India Company, from where it spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Muttra and Lucknow, to name a few. The Indian Uprising was a widespread rebellion, but ultimately an unsuccessful one, against British rule in India from 1857-59 The Events of the 1857 Indian Uprising: (Also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or often in India it is known as the First War of Independence.) Recent scholarship has argued that the Indian Rebellion was a combination of different uprisings and acts of resistance dependent on local and regional situations. Historians continue to debate over whether the Indian Uprising was a mutiny, a peasants’ revolt or a war of independence.

However, amongst many nationalist historians in India, the Indian Uprising has often been viewed as a war of independence by heroic fighters against imperialist forces. In the years after 1857, the Indian Uprising had often been portrayed in Britain as a mutiny among barbaric and uncivilised sepoys, Indian soldiers serving under British or other European orders, bravely defeated by the British. The Indian Uprising continues to be the focus of intense scholarly debate amongst historians. It is necessary to be critical of traditional sources and information on the Indian Uprising and to move beyond singular narratives and stereotypical views.

In particular, for people of Asian origin, the Indian Uprising can represent an important part of their history and personal identity. It is imperative to address problematic and difficult aspects of Britain’s colonial past to establish a more diverse and inclusive narrative of Britain’s history. The uprising represented a significant turning point in the long and complex relationship between Britain and India.Įxploring the Indian Uprising is important as it allows us to consider fundamental questions of identity and diversity. The Indian Uprising has been said to have been one of the greatest anti-colonial uprisings against a European Empire during the 19 th century.

Sepoy mutiny definition world history importance