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Indian Freedom Struggle (1707–1947 A.D.)

Notes • The control of Indian administration was transferred from the East India Company to the
Crown by the Government of India Act 1858. In the words of Sir H.S. Cunningham the
change was ‘formal’ rather than ‘substantial’.
• The Queen’s announcement declared against any desire for “extension of territorial
possessions” and promised “to respect the rights, dignity and honour of native princes as
their own”, while general amnesty was granted to “all offenders, save and except those who
have been or shall be convicted of having directly taken part in the murder of British subjects”.
• The European troops in India were constantly renovated by periodical visits to England in
what came to be known as the ‘linked-battalion’ scheme. The strength of European troops in
India was increased from the pre 1857 figure of 45,000 to 65,000 and the number of Indian
troops reduced from the pre-1857 figure of 238,000 to 140,000. All Indian artillery units (with
the exception of a few mountain batteries) were disbanded. The general formula followed
was that in Bengal Presidency the proportion between the European and Indian troops
should be 1:2. while for Bombay and Madras Presidencies it should be 1:3.
• It was increasingly realised that one basic cause for the Revolt of 1857 was the lack of contact
between the ruler and the ruled. Sir Bartle Frere, in his famous Minute of 1860, urged ‘the
addition of the native element’ to the Legislative Councils.
• The Revolt of 1857 ended an era and sowed the seeds of new era. The era of territorial
aggrandisement gave place to the era of economic exploitation. For the British, the danger
from the feudal India ended for ever; the new challenge to British Imperialism came from
progressive India fed on the philosophy of John Stuart Mill and British liberals of the
nineteenth century.

7.7 Key-Words

1. Cartridge : A cartridge is relatively easily replaceable container or subsystem,
designed to hold a depleteable, essential material or component for
a larger system.
2. Greased Cartridge : The British had issued new gun powder cartridges that were widely
believed to be greased with cow or pig fat, which insulted both
Hindus and Muslims.

7.8 Review Questions

1. Explain the Political causes for the revolt of 1857.
2. Discuss the administrative and economic causes of 1857 Revolt.
3. Why the 1857 Revolt failed ? Discuss.
4. Briefly describe the aftermath of the 1857 Revolt.
5. Give a analytical view of the revolt 1857.
Answers: Self-Assessment
1. Prof. S.N. Mark 2. Lord Dal Housie 3. 1852
4. 1850 5. 1824

7.9 Further Readings

1. V.D. Mahajan, History of Modern India, S. Chand and Co. Ltd. New Delhi.
2. Chandra, Bipin, India’s Struggle for Freedom (1857–1947) Penguin, Delhi, 1996.

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