The events and failures of the rebellion and why did the rebellion fail? Flashcards
What key city was seized by rebellious sepoys at the start of the rebellion?
Delhi was seized by rebellious sepoys after their uprising in Meerut. (May 1857)
Where did rebellious sepoys push Company forces back after taking Delhi?
They pushed back Company forces in north-central India, seizing towns and encampments in Haryana, Bihar, the Central Provinces, and the United Provinces. (May 1857)
What ethnic group rebelled in the countryside around Meerut?
The Gurjars, an agriculturally based ethnic group, rebelled and expelled Company police. (May 1857)
Which city witnessed a major sepoy rebellion and siege of British soldiers and civilians?
Cawnpore (Kanpur) saw a sepoy rebellion, with British soldiers, officers, their families, and servants besieged. (June 1857)
Who joined the sepoy rebels at Cawnpore?
Nana Sahib, a Maratha prince denied his inheritance under the Doctrine of Lapse, joined the sepoy rebels. (June 1857)
How did the siege at Cawnpore end?
General Wheeler surrendered after three weeks, accepting Nana Sahib’s offer of safe passage to Allahabad. During the evacuation, most British civilians and soldiers were massacred, with some taken prisoner. (June 1857)
Which city saw British forces and civilians barricade themselves in a Residency compound?
Lucknow, where 350 British soldiers, 300 loyal sepoys, and 550 British civilians were besieged by 30,000–60,000 sepoy rebels. (June 1857)
What happened in Jhansi at the start of the rebellion?
Sepoys killed British officers and restored Jhansi to its former ruler, Rani Lakshmibai, who fortified the city and declared war on the British. (June 1857)
What force did the Company assemble to retake Cawnpore and Lucknow?
A mixed force including British EIC soldiers from the Bengal and Madras armies, British soldiers from the Second Opium War in China, troops from Burma, and British reinforcements from the Anglo-Persian War and Crimean War. (July 1857)
What atrocity took place as British forces advanced on Cawnpore?
The remaining 200 British civilian captives, mostly women and children, were massacred—some dismembered and thrown into a well. (July 1857)
How did British forces retaliate upon retaking Cawnpore?
General Neill ordered mass executions, forced Hindus and Muslims to consume pork/beef, made sepoys lick blood from walls, and carried out brutal executions by hanging, shooting, and ‘blowing from cannon’. (July 16, 1857)
What region was largely stabilized by August?
Punjab was stabilized, rebellious Bengal Army sepoys were disarmed, and Sikh and Pashtun forces were raised to aid the Company. (August 1857)
Which princely states supported the British in suppressing the rebellion?
Patiala, Jhind, and Nabha, along with Nepalese Gurkhas, supported British efforts. (August 1857)
Where did British forces lay siege in September?
Delhi, led by General Wilson, with reinforcements from Calcutta, Nepal, Madras, and Punjab. (September 1857)
What happened after Delhi was bombarded?
Sepoy defenders, suffering from low supplies and ineffective leadership, were overpowered. The city was stormed between September 14–20. (September 1857)
What happened to Bahadur Shah and his sons?
Bahadur Shah was arrested; his sons were executed the next day. (September 21, 1857)
How did British forces treat Delhi after its capture?
The city was looted, hundreds of prisoners hanged without trial, civilians massacred, and reports of rape were widespread. (September 1857)
What was the primary reason the rebellion failed to spread across all of India?
The rebellion was geographically confined to north-central India, as powerful southern princely states remained loyal to the British.
How did the role of princely states affect the rebellion?
Many princely states, including Hyderabad, Mysore, and Nepal, either remained neutral or actively supported the British.
Why did the Sikhs of Punjab support the British?
The sepoys’ goal of restoring Mughal rule alienated the Sikhs, who had fought for independence from the Mughals in the past.
How did the British military have an advantage in weaponry?
British troops used Lee-Enfield rifles, which were more accurate and had a longer range, while rebel sepoys mostly relied on older muskets.
What was the role of Company armies from Madras and Bombay in suppressing the rebellion?
These armies remained largely loyal, allowing the British to transport troops via the new road and railway networks to quell uprisings.
How did overwhelming British brutality contribute to the rebellion’s failure?
British troops carried out mass executions, village burnings, and massacres, which demoralized and weakened rebel forces.
What was a major issue with rebel leadership?
The rebellion lacked centralized leadership and coordination, with different factions failing to unite under a singular command.
Who was the last major rebel leader, and what happened to him?
Tantya Tope continued guerrilla resistance until he was betrayed and executed in April 1859.
When was the rebellion officially declared over?
July 1859, after Oudh was pacified and rebel leaders were captured or killed.
How many Indians died in the revolt and why?
Over 800,000 Indians died, many of them civilians, due to massacres, executions, and scorched-earth policies.
When was Oudh pacified?
Oudh was pacified by January 1859.
When was Lucknow recaptured?
British forces, with Nepalese allies, recaptured Lucknow after defeating the disorganized rebel army. (March-April 1858)
