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10.HFS6P2 P3 Revolt of 1857
10.HFS6P2 P3 Revolt of 1857
1857 Revolt
Background
Revolt began at Meerut, 58 km from Delhi, on May 10, 1857
Morning of 11 May 1857. The city of Delhi had not yet woken up when a
band of Sepoys from Meerut, who had defied and killed the European
officers the previous day, crossed the Jamuna, set the toll house on fire
and marched to the Red Fort
May 10, the soldiers released their imprisoned comrades, killed their
officers and unfurled the banner of revolt
All started moving towards Delhi
Aged and powerless Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed the emperor of
India
Spreading of the revolt to different parts of the country
Background
Participation seen from :
Jai Jawan...Jai Kisan
Kings, Queens
psychological repercussions
Nature of the Revolt
Perceived differently by nationalists & colonial historians
Depending upon their socio-ideological beliefs
Views of Nationalist Historians Constantly Changing
Colonial Historians General Tendency
Deny its patriotic & popular character
Highlight the elements of disunity, disorganisation & selfish character of
the revolt
In doing so, they do not accept the elements of general discontent &
grevieances of the Indian People accumulated over a period of time as a
result of exploitative nature of British rule
Nature of the Revolt
Sir John Lawrence & Seely Sepoy
Mutiny, Over patriotic & Selfish
Politics of Association
Formation of Congress
Early Nationalists-Moderates
Development of Nationalism
What is Nation?
What is a State?
What is a Nation-State?
The term ‘State’ in its modern sense was first used by Machiavelli (1469-
1527), the Italian statesman
(d) sovereignty