1. Will you term the events of 1857 as just a mutiny by the Company's sepoys, or as the first war of independence fought by the people of India? Justify your views by giving reasons.
1. Will you term the events of 1857 as just a mutiny by the Company's sepoys, or as the first war of independence fought by the people of India? Justify your views by giving reasons.
There is a discrepancy between the western and Indian historians over 1857 rebellion . Some say it was a sepoy mutiny whereas others suggest that it was the first war of independence. Some regard it as the biggest armed resistance to colonialism in the nineteenth century anywhere in the world. A situation developed in the northern parts of India in 1857 when the English East India Company faced a massive rebellion and that threatened the Company’s very presence in India. Sepoys mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people from different sections of society rose up in rebellion. Thus it would be unfair to just minimise it at the level of sepoy mutiny.
There is a discrepancy between the western and Indian historians over 1857 rebellion . Some say it was a sepoy mutiny whereas others suggest that it was the first war of independence. Some regard it as the biggest armed resistance to colonialism in the nineteenth century anywhere in the world. A situation developed in the northern parts of India in 1857 when the English East India Company faced a massive rebellion and that threatened the Company’s very presence in India. Sepoys mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people from different sections of society rose up in rebellion. Thus it would be unfair to just minimise it at the level of sepoy mutiny.
