'When People Rebel' deals with the great uprising of 1857, which shook the foundations of British rule in India. The chapter explains the policies of the British that created widespread discontent, the immediate causes of the rebellion, and how the revolt spread from Meerut to Delhi, Kanpur, Jhansi and other parts of northern and central India.
The chapter begins with a description of the policies of Dalhousie, especially the doctrine of lapse and the annexation of Awadh. It then explains how the grievances of the sepoys, the peasants, the zamindars and the ruling families came together in 1857. The mutiny of the sepoys at Meerut, sparked by the issue of greased cartridges, led to a widespread rebellion.
The chapter also discusses the leadership of the revolt, the role of figures like Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, and Rani Lakshmibai, and the ways in which the British managed to suppress the rebellion. Finally, it describes the changes in British policies after 1857, including the end of the East India Company's rule and the assumption of direct rule by the British Crown.
By the early 1850s, the British had annexed many territories through the doctrine of lapse and other policies. Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the grounds of misgovernment. The annexation of Awadh upset both the Nawab and the taluqdars (landlords) of Awadh, who lost their lands and privileges.
The British also introduced new revenue policies and interfered with the social and religious customs of the people. Laws were passed to ban practices like sati and to permit widow remarriage. While these reforms were intended to be progressive, many people saw them as an attack on their traditions. The increasing interference of the British in social life created deep resentment.
The immediate cause of the revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifles. The cartridges for these rifles were greased with the fat of cows and pigs, and the sepoys had to bite off the ends of the cartridges to use them. This hurt the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
In April 1857, sepoys at Meerut refused to use the cartridges. They were punished, and this led to a rebellion on 10 May 1857. The sepoys released the imprisoned soldiers, marched to Delhi, and proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal emperor, as their leader. The rebellion soon spread to many parts of northern India, and it became a major challenge to British power.
The rebellion at Meerut was the turning point. On 10 May 1857, the sepoys of Meerut revolted, killed their officers, and marched to Delhi. At Delhi, they were joined by the people and the sepoys stationed there. They proclaimed the aged Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as the leader of the revolt.
The capture of Delhi was symbolically very important, as it was the seat of the Mughal empire. The British, however, were determined to recapture Delhi. They laid siege to the city, and after a long and fierce struggle, the city fell to the British in September 1857. Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.
From Delhi, the rebellion spread to other parts of the country. In Kanpur, the revolt was led by Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II. In Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai led the revolt after her adopted son was not recognised as the rightful heir. In Bihar, Kunwar Singh, an old zamindar, led the revolt.
The peasants, artisans and many landlords joined the rebellion. The rebels attacked the symbols of British power such as railway stations, telegraph posts and government buildings. The revolt demonstrated that the discontent against British rule was widespread and involved many sections of society.
The revolt of 1857 began as a mutiny of the sepoys, but it soon became a popular rebellion. The peasants joined because of the high revenue demands and the loss of their lands. The zamindars and taluqdars joined because they had lost their lands and privileges. The artisans and craftsmen joined because they had been ruined by British trade policies.
The religious sentiments of the people were also aroused by the British interference in social customs and the fear of forcible conversion. All these grievances came together in 1857, making it a widespread rebellion against British rule. The revolt showed the unity of different sections of Indian society against a common enemy.
The British were determined to crush the rebellion. They used their superior military power, and many leaders of the revolt were either killed or captured. Rani Lakshmibai was killed in battle in 1858. Nana Saheb escaped and disappeared, and Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled to Burma.
The British adopted harsh measures against the rebels. Villages were burnt, and people suspected of supporting the rebellion were punished. The British also took steps to ensure that such a revolt would not happen again. They reorganised the army, stopped interfering in religious matters, and finally, in 1858, the British Parliament passed an Act that ended the rule of the East India Company and placed India under the direct rule of the British Crown.
After 1858, the British Crown assumed direct responsibility for ruling India. The Governor-General was now given the title of Viceroy, and Lord Canning became the first Viceroy. The British promised not to annex any more states and to respect the religious customs of the people.
The army was reorganised with more soldiers recruited from groups considered loyal. The British also decided to give more importance to the zamindars and princes as a support base. The revolt of 1857, though it failed, marked a major turning point in the history of India. It ended the rule of the East India Company and brought India directly under the British Crown, and it inspired later generations in their struggle for freedom.
| Event | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Annexation of Awadh | 1856 | Nawab and taluqdars upset |
| Rebellion at Meerut | 10 May 1857 | Sepoys revolted and marched to Delhi |
| Fall of Delhi | September 1857 | Bahadur Shah Zafar captured |
| End of Company rule | 1858 | British Crown took over; Queen's Proclamation |
| Leader | Place | Role in Revolt |
|---|---|---|
| Bahadur Shah Zafar | Delhi | Proclaimed leader of the revolt |
| Nana Saheb | Kanpur | Led the rebellion in Kanpur |
| Rani Lakshmibai | Jhansi | Led the revolt in Jhansi; died in battle 1858 |
| Kunwar Singh | Bihar | Old zamindar who led revolt |
'When People Rebel' tells the dramatic story of the revolt of 1857, in which sepoys, peasants, landlords and rulers rose together against British rule. The rebellion, though it failed, exposed the deep discontent caused by British policies of annexation, taxation, and social interference. The revolt marked the end of the East India Company's rule and the beginning of direct rule by the British Crown, with changes in the army and governance. Above all, 1857 became a symbol of resistance and a source of inspiration for the future national movement for freedom.