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Question:
What were the causes and effects of the War of Independence?

Answer:

Prologue:
The mass uprising of the people of Indo-Pakistan against British rule in 1857 was not a spontaneous reaction of Alien rule but the eruption of the volcano of discontent that had kept smoldering for about a century. In 1857, the War of Independence was an important landmark in the history of the subcontinent. This war was fought by Indians against the British in order to get rid of their domination. It is also named as Indian Rebellion, Indian Mutiny as well as Indian Revolt. The main causes of the War of Independence were political, social, economic, military and religious. It was an extreme effort made by Indians, but they failed due to certain reasons including mutual jealousies, disunity and lack of central leadership and others.

 Causes of the War of Independence:

The War of Independence was not spread throughout India but it was limited to few areas mainly Meerat, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Braille, and Jhansi. There were many causes of the War of Independence of 1957. They can be divided into political, economic, religious and social causes.
The details of each cause are given below:

I. Political cause:
The English East India Company got strongly implanted in the subcontinent after its historic victory over Nawab of Bengal in the battle of Plessey fought in 1757. Soon after in 1764, the British recorded another important triumph in the Battle of Buxar. By the end of the first half-century, they succeeded in removing from their way the main hurdles of the lion of Mysore Tipu Sultan, the Marathas, the Sikhs and the state of Oudh. By 1857, that is about a hundred years after the battle of Plessey the frontiers of the British territory included provinces like Bengal, Bihar, Oudh, Maharashtra, Sindh, and many others. Britishers annexed many states.
According to Henry Lawence:
“To the same point that British interference with that province has been prejudicial to its court and people as it has been disgraceful to the British name.”

Thus, the Britishers captured the whole subcontinent by applying the policy of divide and rule and diplomacy.

II. Economic Causes of the War:
The new agrarian policy of the British, destruction of local industry, permanent settlement, large scale unemployment, monopoly of trade by the English and the stamp act were the important economic causes of the War.

 New Agrarian Policy:
The new Agrarian policy of the government shook the foundation of the village communities. The state of taxes on the land was increased burdening the Zamindar and the cultivators. This class was in the front rank when the war of independence broke out in 1857.

 Destruction of Local Industry:
Due to the Industrial Revolution of England, cheaper and superior goods flowed into the market of the subcontinent. This resulted in frustration among the lower class.

 Unemployment:
Unemployment was increased when Britishers were not allowed to appoint Indians on high and important posts.

 Court Fee stamp:
The English government declared court fee compulsory to be paid in the form of court stamps.
Thus, all the above-mentioned reasons led to the War of Independence.

III. Religious Causes:
Although at the outset the English had shown respect towards all religions yet with the passage of time they devised ways and means for the propagation of Christianity in Indo-Pakistan. The government officials often became vocal in their intentions to convert the locals to Christianity. The missionaries were allowed to perform their work at all public places. The Bible was included in the syllabi of various educational institutions. Thus, keeping in view all these facts the leaders of the Warlike Nana Sahib, Rani of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah Zafar and Maharaja Peshwa Bahadur called upon the people of defending their faith against the propagation of Christianity.

IV. Social Causes:
The British considered the Muslims as their archenemy in the subcontinent because the Muslims had been the rulers of the country in the recent past. Thus, they adopted a policy of ridiculing the Muslim culture. This attitude greatly agitated Muslim religious feelings that led towards the War of Independence.
The British adhered to a policy of racial discrimination that preferred white over the black. The people of Indo-Pakistan were greatly agitated by this attitude that led to the causes of War.

 Effects of War of Independence:

i. The crown took over the control:
Immediately after the war, through the Queen’s proclamation of 1858, the crown took over the control of Indo-Pakistan from the English East India Company.

ii. The policy of annexation:
The policy of annexation was totally abandoned. Rulers of the states were guaranteed that there would be no more annexation.

iii. Lack of Unity:
There was no unified leadership in the subcontinent in the 19th century. There was no unity among the freedom fighters. They fought independently of one another. As a result, they could not assemble their resources against a common enemy.

iv. Abolished the Doctrine of Lapse:
The British Government abolished the Doctrine of Lapse. The rules of the states the right to adopt their heirs.

v. Artillery was totally under European:
After the war, the number of European soldiers was increased in Indo-Pakistan. The army was reorganized into separate regiments. The artillery was totally put under the control of Europe.

vi. English Subjected Muslims to oppression:
One ugly effect of the war of independence was that English subjected the Muslims to oppression. The British considered Muslims responsible for the War of Independence. Therefore, many of the leading Muslims were 000 or exiled. The properties of the Muslims were confiscated and they were subjected to all sorts of terror and repression.

vii. Encouraged the Christian Missionaries:
The failure of the Independence War encourages the Christian missionaries to resume the propagation of their religion with new vigor and assurance.

viii. The policy of Divide and Rule:
After the War, the British started to Divide and Rule policy, caste against caste, Prince against people and Hindus against Muslims.

ix. Racial Antagonism:
British believed that they were superior and maintained distance from Indians. Railways, Parks, Hotels, etc. had seats “Reserve for Europeans Only”. Britishers believed that Indians are not worthy.

 Epilogue:
One hundred years after the battle of Plessey, anger against the unjust and oppressive, the British government took the form of a revolt. The Indians suffered a disappointing and discouraging defeat while a glorious victory for the white men prolonged their rule. Thus, for the subjugated Indians repercussions were rather more severe.

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• This topic was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by  eman.

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