Q.64 Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. GS-I: HISTORY (UPSC CSE 2016) (200 Words/12.5 Marks)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION:

The revolt of 1857 was a momentous event in the history of the freedom struggle of India. It marked the end of Company rule and beginning of the Crown rule in India. The revolt led to a dramatic shift in the evolution of British policies towards better administrative control and economic exploitation.

BODY:

The revolt of 1857 saw participation of people from different sections of the society against the British rule. It was for the first time that the Britishers felt existential threat in India.

Causes of the Uprising of 1857

• • The immediate cause of the revolt was introduction of the ‘‘Enfield rifle”. The rumour about the cartridges used in it being greased with the animal fat hurt religious sentiments of the Sepoys.
  • Various political, economic and socio-religious factors affected different sections of the Indian society. British expansion posed a direct threat to the power and privileges of the Rajas, Nawabs and Zamindars. It was either reduced or completely taken away.
  • The various tax and revenue systems introduced by the colonial government created unrest among the people. British control over trade and agriculture and gradual deindustrialization led to unemployment and indebtedness.

Major Policy Changes that took place after the Uprising

• • End of the Company Rule by the Government of India Act, The British government took charge of the Indian Territory from the Company. Thus, the princely states came directly under the British Crown and the provincial territories under the Governor General.
  • The British reformist attitude changed after the 1857 Earlier they talked of educating Indians and modernizing India, but now they became apprehensive and started following reactionary policies.
  • Ater 1857, Britishers started to see educated Indians with suspicion because many of them had started to see the double standard of the British and how the foreigners were exploiting them.
  • The British Indian army was carefully reorganized to prevent another revolt. They decreased the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army, increased the number of British soldiers in key positions, and reorganized the army units to ensure that Indian soldiers were separated by caste and region.
  • Restrictions on the Press were increased under the Crown rule. Lord Lytton imposed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878 to curb the freedom of the Indian press, especially the Indian language newspapers.
  • The British stopped the policy of annexation and expansion and started focusing on consolidation.
  • Revenue policies were revised and permanent settlements that fixed land revenue rates were introduced in many places. The new policy provided stability to landowners and reduced the risk of dispossession. The main aim was to create a class of loyal landowners who would support British rule.
  • A policy of appeasement towards princely states, zamindars and service gentry was They were honoured with various titles and privileges to earn their loyalty and prevent future rebellion.
  • The divide and rule policy became the hallmark of British rule after the revolt of 1857. For example, the British government tried to use the Muslim community against the Hindus and the national Also, the separate electorates for Muslims were introduced in 1909.

CONCLUSION:

The uprising of 1857 had a major impact on the administrative, economic, social policies of the British Raj. Despite being a failure, the revolt terrified Britishers leading to a hardened attitude. They even stopped pretending to be bringing ‘modernity and civility’. The post-revolt years were also marked by the growth of a new political consciousness. It finally led to the rise of nationalism and an organised movement for independence.