Question

Explain the consequences of the Revolt of 1857.

Answer 1

1. The Revolt of 1857 marked a turning point in the history of India. It led to changes in the system of administration and the policy of the Government.
2. The administration of India was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown through the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’ in 1858. The governor-general was given the title of viceroy.
3. The Board of Directors and the Board of Control were replaced by the Council of 15 members headed by the Secretary of State to supervise Indian affairs.
4. The Indian Army was thoroughly reorganized. More Britishers were employed in the army.
5. The British military policy came to be dominated by the idea of divide and counterpoise’. In fact, the Revolt of 1857 played an important role in bringing the Indian people together and imparting them the consciousness of belonging to one country.
6. The Revolt paved the way for the rise of the modem national movement century that the 1857 Revolt came to be interpreted as a “planned war of national independence by the Historian V.D. Savarkar in his book, ‘First War of Indian Independence.