The Revolt of 1857 & Kunwar Singh
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
Background & Causes of Indian National Movement refers to the historical, political, economic, and social conditions that gave rise to organised resistance against British colonial rule in India.
The Indian National Movement did not begin suddenly — it was the result of decades of exploitation, discrimination, and awakening among Indians.
Key triggers:
In BPSC TRE-4, this chapter appears under History and Social Science, testing causes of early movements, the 1857 revolt, and rise of nationalism.
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
Economic Causes — How Britain Drained India:
Exam tip: Dadabhai Naoroji's Drain of Wealth is the most tested economic cause — his book title, year (1901), and the phrase 'Un-British' are all asked.
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
Political & Administrative Causes:
Exam tip: The Doctrine of Lapse affected Jhansi (Rani Laxmibai's state) — a favourite BPSC question.
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
Social, Religious & Intellectual Causes:
Socio-Religious Reform Movements prepared Indians for nationalism:
Role of Press & Education:
Exam tip: Brahmo Samaj (1828) and Arya Samaj (1875) founding years are frequently confused in BPSC — Brahmo is OLDER.
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
BPSC TRE-4 Exam Patterns — Background & Causes:
Most frequently asked:
Common traps in BPSC:
Exam tip: BPSC frequently tests Viceroy-policy pairs — memorise: Dalhousie→Doctrine of Lapse, Curzon→Partition of Bengal, Lytton→Vernacular Press Act & Arms Act, Ripon→Ilbert Bill.
पृष्ठभूमि एवं कारण
Points to Remember
1857 का विद्रोह
The Revolt of 1857 was the first major, widespread uprising against British East India Company rule in India. It began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut and quickly spread across North and Central India.
It is known by multiple names:
Though ultimately suppressed by 1858, it was a turning point — it ended the rule of the East India Company and transferred power directly to the British Crown (Queen Victoria).
In BPSC TRE-4, the revolt is one of the most heavily tested topics — causes, leaders, centres, suppression, consequences, and nature are all regularly asked.
1857 का विद्रोह
Causes of the Revolt of 1857:
Immediate Cause:
Military Causes:
Political Causes:
Exam tip: The immediate cause was the greased cartridge — not the Enfield rifle itself. BPSC specifically asks what was offensive about it (cow + pig fat).
1857 का विद्रोह
Major Centres & Leaders of the Revolt:
| Centre | Leader | Suppressed by |
|---|---|---|
| Meerut | Sepoys (started 10 May 1857) | British forces |
| Delhi | Bahadur Shah Zafar II (proclaimed Emperor) | John Nicholson (Sept 1857) |
| Kanpur (Cawnpore) | Nana Saheb; Tantya Tope (fighting) | General Havelock |
| Lucknow | Hazrat Mahal (Begum of Awadh) | Colin Campbell |
| Jhansi | Rani Laxmibai | Hugh Rose |
| Bareilly | Khan Bahadur Khan | British forces |
| Arrah (Bihar) | Kunwar Singh | William Taylor |
Key facts:
1857 का विद्रोह
Causes of Failure & Consequences:
Why the Revolt Failed:
Consequences — Major Changes:
Exam tip: The Government of India Act 1858 (not 1857) ended Company rule — the year is a common BPSC trap.
1857 का विद्रोह
BPSC TRE-4 Exam Patterns — Revolt of 1857:
Most frequently asked:
Classic BPSC traps:
1857 का विद्रोह
Points to Remember