The First War of Independence (1857)
Based on ICSE Morning Star | Board Exam Notes
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should know:
● Causes of the Revolt
● Immediate Cause
● Centres of Revolt
● Leaders
● Results
● Queen Victoria's Proclamation
● Reasons for Failure
● Board Questions
📖 INTRODUCTION
The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale armed uprising against British rule in India.
It is called:
● First War of Independence ✅
● Revolt of 1857
● Sepoy Mutiny (British historians)
● Great Revolt
⭐ Board Keyword
First War of Independence
,📅 IMPORTANT DATES
Year Event
1757 Battle of Plassey
1764 Battle of Buxar
1857 Revolt begins
10 May 1857 Meerut Revolt
11 May 1857 Delhi captured
1858 Company rule ends
1 Nov 1858 Queen Victoria's
Proclamation
👑 IMPORTANT LEADERS
Leader Place
Mangal Pandey Barrackpore
Bahadur Shah Zafar Delhi
Rani Lakshmibai Jhansi
Tatya Tope Kanpur/Gwalior
Nana Sahib Kanpur
Begum Hazrat Mahal Lucknow
Kunwar Singh Bihar
🧠 MEMORY TRICK
Leaders
,"MR. BT NBK"
M → Mangal Pandey
R → Rani Lakshmibai
B → Bahadur Shah Zafar
T → Tatya Tope
N → Nana Sahib
B → Begum Hazrat Mahal
K → Kunwar Singh
CAUSES OF THE REVOLT
1️⃣ Political Causes
● Doctrine of Lapse
● Annexation of Awadh
● End of Mughal rule
● Pension stopped for Nana Sahib
Board Points
✔ Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie
✔ Jhansi annexed
✔ Satara annexed
✔ Nagpur annexed
2️⃣ Economic Causes
● Heavy taxes
● Destruction of Indian industries
, ● Farmers suffered
● Artisans became unemployed
3️⃣ Military Causes
● Low salaries
● No promotions
● Racial discrimination
● Overseas service problems
4️⃣ Religious & Social Causes
British tried to interfere in Indian customs.
Examples
● Widow Remarriage Act
● Christian missionaries
● Fear of forced conversion
⭐ IMMEDIATE CAUSE
Introduction of the
Enfield Rifle
The cartridges were believed to be greased with
● Cow fat
● Pig fat
Soldiers had to bite the cartridges.
This offended
✔ Hindus
Based on ICSE Morning Star | Board Exam Notes
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should know:
● Causes of the Revolt
● Immediate Cause
● Centres of Revolt
● Leaders
● Results
● Queen Victoria's Proclamation
● Reasons for Failure
● Board Questions
📖 INTRODUCTION
The Revolt of 1857 was the first large-scale armed uprising against British rule in India.
It is called:
● First War of Independence ✅
● Revolt of 1857
● Sepoy Mutiny (British historians)
● Great Revolt
⭐ Board Keyword
First War of Independence
,📅 IMPORTANT DATES
Year Event
1757 Battle of Plassey
1764 Battle of Buxar
1857 Revolt begins
10 May 1857 Meerut Revolt
11 May 1857 Delhi captured
1858 Company rule ends
1 Nov 1858 Queen Victoria's
Proclamation
👑 IMPORTANT LEADERS
Leader Place
Mangal Pandey Barrackpore
Bahadur Shah Zafar Delhi
Rani Lakshmibai Jhansi
Tatya Tope Kanpur/Gwalior
Nana Sahib Kanpur
Begum Hazrat Mahal Lucknow
Kunwar Singh Bihar
🧠 MEMORY TRICK
Leaders
,"MR. BT NBK"
M → Mangal Pandey
R → Rani Lakshmibai
B → Bahadur Shah Zafar
T → Tatya Tope
N → Nana Sahib
B → Begum Hazrat Mahal
K → Kunwar Singh
CAUSES OF THE REVOLT
1️⃣ Political Causes
● Doctrine of Lapse
● Annexation of Awadh
● End of Mughal rule
● Pension stopped for Nana Sahib
Board Points
✔ Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie
✔ Jhansi annexed
✔ Satara annexed
✔ Nagpur annexed
2️⃣ Economic Causes
● Heavy taxes
● Destruction of Indian industries
, ● Farmers suffered
● Artisans became unemployed
3️⃣ Military Causes
● Low salaries
● No promotions
● Racial discrimination
● Overseas service problems
4️⃣ Religious & Social Causes
British tried to interfere in Indian customs.
Examples
● Widow Remarriage Act
● Christian missionaries
● Fear of forced conversion
⭐ IMMEDIATE CAUSE
Introduction of the
Enfield Rifle
The cartridges were believed to be greased with
● Cow fat
● Pig fat
Soldiers had to bite the cartridges.
This offended
✔ Hindus
