Military uprisings before the 1857 revolt were significant events that played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of various regions. These uprisings often stemmed from a combination of discontent among the armed forces, political grievances, and socio-economic factors. These uprisings were significant precursors to the larger and more coordinated uprising of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the First War of Independence. They reflected the simmering discontent among Indian soldiers and the wider populace, sowing the seeds for the broader revolt against British colonial rule that followed in 1857.
Causes
Discrimination in Payment and Promotions: The sepoys faced unequal treatment in terms of pay and promotions compared to their British counterparts.
- Mistreatment by British Officials: Sepoys often experienced ill-treatment at the hands of British officials.
- Refusal of Foreign Service Allowance: The government declined to provide foreign service allowance to sepoys when they were deployed in distant regions.
- Religious Objections to General Service Enlistment Act: The high-caste Hindu sepoys were opposed to Lord Canning’s General Service Enlistment Act of 1856.
- This act mandated that recruits must be ready for service both within and outside India, which conflicted with their religious beliefs.
- Shared Discontent with Civilian Population: The sepoys were not isolated from the broader social, religious, and economic grievances faced by the civilian population.
- Religious Conflicts with Service Conditions: Over time, upper-caste sepoys found their religious beliefs in conflict with their service requirements.
- Instances like the replacement of the turban with a leather cockade in 1806 at Vellore led to mutinies.
- Similarly, in 1844, there was a mutiny among Bengal army sepoys due to being sent to distant Sind, and in 1824, sepoys at Barrackpore revolted when asked to go to Burma because crossing the sea would result in loss of caste.
These factors collectively contributed to the growing discontent among the sepoys, setting the stage for the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Major Sepoy Mutinies
Before the Indian Rebellion of 1857, several significant mutinies occurred:
- Bengal Sepoy Mutiny (1764): A mutiny among sepoys in Bengal, indicating early signs of discontent within the ranks.
- Vellore Mutiny (1806): Sepoys in Vellore protested against interference in their social and religious practices, raising the flag of the ruler of Mysore in revolt.
- Mutiny of the 47th Native Infantry (1824): A rebellion by sepoys of the 47th Native Infantry unit.
- Grenadier Company Revolt (1825) by the Grenadier Company in Assam.
- Sholapur Mutiny (1838) by an Indian regiment in Sholapur.
- Mutinies of the 34th N.I., 22nd N.I., 66th N.I., and 37th N.I.(Native Infantry) (1844, 1849, 1850, 1852 respectively) were the various mutinies in different native infantry units.
While these mutinies were significant, they were localised and were brutally suppressed by the British Indian government. This involved violent measures, including executing leaders and disbanding the rebellious regiments. Despite their limited scope, these mutinies played a crucial role in shaping the larger rebellion that would occur in 1857.
Fault Lines in People’s Uprisings
Localised Uprisings: These revolts were geographically limited and occurred at different times in various regions.
- Rooted in Local Grievances: The uprisings primarily stemmed from grievances specific to each locality.
- Semi-Feudal Leadership: The leaders had a semi-feudal, traditional outlook and did not propose new societal structures.
- Common Resistance Motive: While the revolts shared a desire to overthrow foreign rule, it was due to common oppressive conditions rather than a unified national effort.
- Centuries-old Form and Content: These rebellions followed age-old patterns in terms of their form and cultural content.
- Pacification through Concessions: Authorities quelled some rebels by offering concessions and compromises.
- Outdated Methods and Arms: The rebels used outdated methods and weapons, contrasting with the advanced tactics, weaponry, and stratagems employed by their adversaries.
| Tribal Movements: Period, Region, Causes at a Glance
1. Pahariyas’ Rebellion by the martial Pahariyas (1778; RajMahal Hills); against the British expansion on their lands. 2. Chuar Uprisings by the Chuar aboriginal tribesmen (1776); against rise in demands and economic privation by the British. 3. Kol Uprisings by the Kols of Chottanagpur led by Buddho Bhagat (1831); against expansion of British rule on their lands and transfer of their lands to outsiders; the revolt was suppressed. 4. Ho and Munda Uprisings (a) by Ho tribals led by Raja Parahat (1827; Singhbhum and Chottanagpur); against occupation of Singhbhum by British. (b) by Ho tribals and the Mundas (1831); against the newly introduced farming revenue policy. (c) by the Mundas led by Birsa Munda (1899-1900; south of Ranchi); Birsa was captured and imprisoned. (d) the Ulgulan uprising, supported by Birsa Munda (1860-1920); against introduction of feudal, zamindari tenures and exploitation by moneylenders and forest contractors. 5. Santhal Rebellion by the Santhals led by Sido and Kanhu (1855- 56; Bihar); against the practices of zamindars and moneylenders; the rebellion later turned anti-British and was suppressed. 6. Kondh uprisings led by Chakra Bisnoi (1837-56 and later in 1914; hilly region extending from Tamil Nadu to Bengal; in Orissa in 1914); against interference in tribal customs and imposition of new taxes. 7. Naikada Movement (1860s; Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat); against British and caste Hindus. 8. Kharwar Rebellion by the Kharwars (1870s; Bihar); against revenue settlement activities. 9. Khonda Dora Campaign by Khonda Doras led by Korra Mallaya (1900; Dabur region in Visakhapatnam). 10. Bhil Revolts (1817-19 and 1913; region of Western Ghats); against Company Rule (in 1817-19) and to form Bhil Raj. 11. Bhuyan and Juang Rebellions by the Bhuyans, Juangs and Kals; first uprising was led by Ratna Nayak; second uprising was led by Dharni Dhar Nayak (1867-68; 1891-93; Kheonjhar, Orissa); against the installation of a British protege on the throne after the death of their raja in 1867. 12. Koya Revolts by the Koyas and the Khonda Sara Chiefs – led by Tomma Sora in 1879-80 – led by Raja Anantayyar in 1886 (eastern Godavari region Andhra Pradesh); against oppression by police, moneylenders; new regulations and denial of their rights over forest areas. 13. Bastar Revolt (1910; Jagdalpur); against new feudal and forest levies. 14. Tana Bhagat Movements among the Mundas and Oraon tribes led by Jatra Bhagat, Balram Bhagat who preached that God’s benevolent delegate would arrive to free the tribals (1914-1915; Chottanagpur); against interference of outsiders; began as Sanskritisation movement. 15. Rampa Revolts led by Alluri Sitarama Raju of the Koyas (1916, 1922-1924; Rampa region in Andhra Pradesh); against British interference; capture and execution of Raju in 1924. 16. Jharkhand Uprising by tribals of Chottanagpur region (1920 onwards; parts of Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal); Adivasi Mahasabha was formed in 1937 which was replaced by Regional Jharkhand Party in 1949. 17. Forest Satyagrahas (a) by Chenchu tribals (1920s; Guntur district in Andhra), (b) by Karwars of Palamau (1930s; Bihar); against increasing British control over forests. 18. Gond Uprising (1940s) to bring together the believers of Gonddharma. North-East Frontier Tribal Movements: Year, Region, Major Causes Movements Before 1857 1. Ahoms’ Revolt (1828-33; Assam); against the non-fulfilment of the pledges of the Company after the Burmese War; the uprising was suppressed by the Company by dividing the kingdom. 2. Khasis’ Revolt (1830s; hilly region between Jaintia and Garo Hills); led by the Nunklow ruler, Tirath Singh; against the occupation of the hilly region. 3. Singphos’ Rebellion (1830s; Assam); led to murder of British political agent of Assam by Singphos in 1839; was ultimately suppressed. Movements After 1857 1. Kukis’ Revolt (1917-19; Manipur) against British policies of recruiting labour during the first World War. 2. Revolts in Tripura against hike in house tax rates and against settlement of outsiders in the region (a) led by Parikshit Jamatia (1863) (b) the Reangs’ revolt led by Ratnamani (1942-43) (c) led by Bharti Singh (1920s) 3. Zeliangrong Movement (1920s; Manipur) led by the Zemi, Liangmei and Rongmei tribes; against the failure of the British to protect them during the Kuki violence in 1917-19. 4. Naga movement (1905-31; Manipur) led by Jadonang; against British rule and for setting up a Naga raj. 5. Heraka Cult (1930s; Manipur) led by Gaidinliu, the movement was suppressed but Kabui Naga Association was formed in 1946. 6. Other Smaller Movements were the revolt of the Syntengs of Jaintia Hills in 1860-62, the Phulaguri peasants’ rebellion in 1861, the revolt of the Saflas in 1872-73; the uprising of the Kacha Nagas of Cachhar in 1882; and a women’s war in Manipur in 1904. |
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Conclusion
Military uprisings preceding the 1857 revolt were pivotal in shaping the trajectory toward the Indian Rebellion. Though localized and often suppressed, these uprisings revealed the deep-seated discontent among Indian soldiers and highlighted broader socio-political grievances. Their significance lies in their role as precursors to the more extensive and unified revolt of 1857, ultimately challenging British colonial rule and igniting the struggle for independence.
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