Question

'The revolt of 1857 was the first freedom struggle of India'. Explain.

Hint:

For subjective questions like this, it is important to understand different historical perspectives. Acknowledge both viewpoints: the arguments for it being the "First War of Independence" (widespread participation, common enemy) and the counter-arguments (lack of unified leadership, limited geographical scope).

Answer 1

The statement that the Revolt of 1857 was the "first freedom struggle of India" is a significant interpretation of the event, famously articulated by V.D. Savarkar in his book 'The Indian War of Independence, 1857'. This perspective is based on several key arguments:


Unprecedented Scale and Geographical Spread: Unlike previous uprisings, which were localized, the 1857 Revolt engulfed a vast area of Northern and Central India, from Delhi and Awadh to Bihar and Bundelkhand.
Widespread Participation: It was not just a military mutiny. It saw the participation of diverse sections of society including rulers of princely states (like Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Saheb), landlords (zamindars), peasants, artisans, and religious leaders, both Hindu and Muslim.
Common Enemy and Goal: Despite having different grievances, all participants were united by a common goal: to overthrow the rule of the British East India Company. This shared objective gave it the character of a national struggle against a foreign power.
Challenge to British Authority: The revolt posed the most serious challenge to British power in India since its inception. It shook the foundations of the Company's rule and led to its dissolution, with the British Crown taking direct control of India in 1858.
While some historians argue that it lacked a unified command and a forward-looking vision for a new India, and thus call it a "sepoy mutiny" or a series of disconnected revolts, its scale, popular participation, and clear anti-colonial objective justify its characterization as the first major struggle for India's freedom.