Q. Explain how the uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (250 words, 15 marks)
Why the Question?
UPSC PYQ – CSE Mains Exam – 2016
Keywords of the Question
- Uprising of 1857
- Important Watershed
- Evolution of British policies
Directive Word
Explain –Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood; defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.
How to approach this Question?
- Introduction:
- Begin by briefly introducing the uprising of 1857 (also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence).
- Mention its significance as a turning point in India’s colonial history.
- Set the context for discussing British policies.
- Body:
- Discuss the impact of the uprising on British policies.
- Provide specific examples and evidence to support each point.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the significance of the uprising of 1857 in reshaping British policies.
- Emphasize its lasting impact on India’s socio-economic and political landscape.
Answer Key
Introduction
The uprising of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, was a major armed rebellion against the British East India Company’s rule in India. It significantly impacted British policies toward colonial India.
Body
Background and Causes:
The rebellion began in Meerut when Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company refused to use purportedly tainted weaponry. However, viewing it merely as a sepoy mutiny underestimates the root causes:
- Doctrine of Lapse: Lord Dalhousie’s policy involved annexing lands of Hindu rulers without natural heirs.
- Peasant Discontent: The Company’s heavy land taxes and strict revenue collection methods in rural areas angered peasants and zamindars. Many sepoys, who had family ties in villages, were also affected by the peasants’ grievances.
- Westernization: Introduction of Western ideas challenged traditional norms. In 1850, an act altered Hindu inheritance laws, allowing a Hindu who had converted to Christianity to inherit ancestral properties. This change fueled suspicions among the people that the Government aimed to convert Indians to Christianity.
- Humanitarian Reforms: The abolition of practices such as sati and female infanticide, along with legislation legalizing widow remarriage, was perceived as a challenge to the existing social norms.
- Immediate Cause: The outbreak of the Revolt of 1857 was triggered by the controversy surrounding greased cartridges. A widespread rumor claimed that the cartridges for the new Enfield rifles were greased with animal fat, specifically from cows and pigs.
- General Services Enlistment Act: Despite constituting over 87% of the British troops in India, Indian sepoys were regarded as inferior to British soldiers. Lord Canning’s 1856 General Services Enlistment Act mandated their readiness to serve even in British territories overseas.
Impact on British Policies:
- Transfer of Power:
- In 1858, the Government of India Act dissolved the East India Company, establishing direct British rule under the British Crown.
- The shift from an economic-centric approach to a politically driven administration marked a significant change.
- Military Reorganization:
- To prevent future uprisings, the British restructured the Indian military:
- Decreased the proportion of Indian soldiers.
- Increased British soldiers in key positions.
- Reorganized army units based on caste and region.
- To prevent future uprisings, the British restructured the Indian military:
- Administrative Changes:
- Policies promoted Indian representation in local government.
- Encouraged recruitment of Indian civil servants.
- Development of Indian legislative councils (primarily for the elite and educated).
- Divide and rule policy: The British actively fomented and exploited communal divisions between Hindus and Muslims to remain as neutral umpire between communities. For instance, separate electorates for Muslims were introduced in 1909.
- Land and Revenue Policies:
- Introduced permanent settlements with fixed land revenue rates.
- Aimed to create loyal landowners supporting British rule.
- Social and Cultural Policies:
- Withdrew support for reformist measures (e.g., abolition of Sati, widow remarriage).
- Prioritized stability and avoided offending Indian sensibilities.
- Education: The English education system was promoted with a focus on humanities and liberal arts instead of scientific and technical education to create a class of obedient Indian bureaucrats. Eg: Universities like Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were established.
Conclusion
The uprising of 1857 marked a turning point in British policies toward India. It shifted the British role from mere ‘traders’ to ‘rulers,’ leaving a lasting impact on India’s development and setting the stage for the subsequent independence movement.