Home› ICSE Revision› Grade 8› History and Civics› Revolt of 1857

Revolt of 1857

Why resentment against unjust British rule exploded in 1857 — the causes, main centres and results of the Revolt, and how historians see it.

Register

What this chapter covers

  1. Causes of the Revolt

    ▼
    • Background and NamingCalled 'Sepoy Mutiny' by British historians.
    • Political CausesDalhousie's aggressive expansion against native states.
    • Economic CausesOppressed peasants, famines and poverty.
    • Social and Religious CausesWestern reforms seen as alien threat.
    • Military CausesSepoys underpaid; promotion stopped at subedar.
    • Immediate CauseRumour of animal-fat greased cartridges.

  2. Main Events and Centres of the Revolt

    ▼
    • Meerut and DelhiMeerut sepoys rebelled, freed jailed comrades.
    • Kanpur, Lucknow and JhansiNana Saheb, Tantya Tope and others.

  3. Results and Nature of the Revolt

    ▼
    • Results of the RevoltCompany rule ended; Crown took over.
    • Nature of the RevoltSepoy mutiny or widespread united uprising.

Try a sample question

What was the fate of Bahadur Shah Zafar after the Revolt was suppressed?

Other History and Civics chapters

🌅

Indian Renaissance

Great reformers, from Raja Ram Mohan Roy to Annie Besant, and regional and community reform movements.

 🔥

Rise of Indian Nationalism

Impact of British rule, causes of the rise of nationalism and the Indian National Congress.

 🏛️

Indian Nationalist Movement - 1885-1916

The Early Nationalists, the Assertive Nationalists and key events from 1905 to 1918.
See all History and Civics chapters

Revise Revolt of 1857 with My Revision Deck

Create a free account to get access to quizzes, mind maps and printable test papers with answer keys, and subscribe for chapter worksheets. Selected chapters are free to try — no payment needed.

Create a free account