Question

'The Rebel proclamations of 1857 appealed to all the sections of the population for Unity.' Explain the statement with examples. 

Answer 1

The 1857 Indian Rebellion, also known as the First War of Indian Independence, had a significant impact on Indian history.

1. Call to religious harmony: Bahadur Shah Zafar's proclamation was among the rebel declarations that called for religious harmony. The proclamation urged all Hindus and Muslims to band together and fight the British for their shared interests.
2. Regional unification: Regional unification was demanded in the rebel declarations. According to an example, Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the deposed Maratha Peshwa, declared in his proclamation that everyone in the Deccan should support the uprising against the British. This appeal to regional unity was essential because India had many different regions, each with their own distinctive identities, languages, and customs. The British had tried to capitalise on these regional differences.
3. Social unification: The declarations also called for social cohesion. All castes and social classes were urged to band together to oppose the British in a declaration made by Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, a female warrior.