Lines of Communication

Pattern of the Rebellion

The rebellion began in Meerut, on May 10, 1857, when sepoys (Indian soldiers) of the Bengal Army mutinied against their British officers. The sepoys were angry about several things, including the use of new Enfield rifles, which they believed were greased with cow and pig fat, and the British government’s decision to annex Oudh....

How the Mutinies Began

The sepoys began their revolt with a signal, seized the bell of arms, and attacked government buildings, burning records. Proclamations in Hindi, Urdu, and Persian called for the population to unite and exterminate the firangis. As ordinary people joined the revolt, targets expanded, including moneylenders and the rich in major towns. Peasants saw the sepoys as oppressors and allies of the British. Their houses were looted and destroyed, and the mutiny in the sepoy ranks quickly became a rebellion. In May and June, the British had no answer to the rebels’ actions, and individual Britons tried to save their lives and families....

Lines of Communication

The mutiny in different places was partly due to planning and coordination between sepoy lines. The 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry refused to accept new cartridges, and they wrote to the 48th Native Infantry, expressing their faith and waiting for orders. Sepoys and their emissaries moved from station to station, planning and discussing the rebellion. The pattern of mutinies raises questions about the planning and planners....

Leaders and Followers

The rebellion against the British required leadership and organization, and the sepoys of Meerut urged the old Mughal emperor to accept the leadership of the revolt. Bahadur Shah initially rejected this, but after some sepoys moved into the Mughal court, he agreed to be the nominal leader. Similar scenes were enacted in Kanpur, Jhansi, and Awadh, where the displacement of the popular Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the annexation of the state were still fresh in the memory of the people....

Rumors and Prophecies

Rumours and prophecies played a significant role in the upheaval in North India during the early 1857 period. Sepoys in Delhi were told about bullets coated with cows and pigs, which they believed would corrupt their caste and religion. This spread rapidly across the sepoy lines of North India, leading to fear and panic among the sepoys. Rumours also circulated about a conspiracy by the British government to destroy the caste and religion of Hindus and Muslims, with the bone dust of cows and pigs mixed into flour sold in the market. Panic spread rapidly, and the call for action was reinforced by the prophecy that British rule would end on the centenary of the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1857. The distribution of chapattis was also a significant rumour....

Why did People Believe in the Rumours?

Rumours and prophecies in history are powerful because they reflect the minds of those who believed them. In 1857, rumors began to make sense when viewed in the context of British policies aimed at reforming Indian society. Under Governor General Lord William Bentinck, the British introduced Western education, ideas, and institutions, abolishing customs and allowing Hindu widows to remarry. They annexed territories like Awadh, Jhansi, and Satara, introducing their own administration, laws, and land settlement methods. This led to a profound perception that their sacred customs and practices were being replaced by an alien, oppressive system. Rumours spread rapidly in this uncertain situation....

Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10 Pattern of the Rebellion

In conclusion, the rebellion was a major turning point in Indian history. It marked the end of the Company rule and the beginning of British rule in India. The rebellion also led to a number of important reforms, including the introduction of the Indian Councils Act of 1861 and the Government of India Act of 1858. The rebellion was a major event in Indian history. It was a time of great upheaval and change. The rebellion had a profound impact on the lives of all Indians. It led to the end of Company rule and the beginning of British rule in India. The rebellion also led to a number of important reforms, including the introduction of the Indian Councils Act of 1861 and the Government of India Act of 1858....

Chapter 10 Pattern of the Rebellion- FAQs

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