Why did 1857 revolt fail?
Limited Participation
- Territorial participation– only northern, western and central parts. Limited in Bengal and Punjab; south remained quiet (suppression in early revolts- southern part did not participate)
- People –
- only aggrieved people participated
- Intelligentsia either ignored the revolt or supported British as they supposed that British will modernize India – bringing modern science and technology and capitalist organizations
- merchants ignored the revolt or supported British
- Some political forces and zamindar remained either neutral or supported British in crushing the revolt
- Half of total Indian sepoys fight their counterparts
Leadership
- Leaders came from insurgent groups-based on purely personal interests of lost kingdom and privileges – not from Army ranks
- Lack of future and broad vision
- Vacillation – favouring or opposing the revolt – Except few – Some informed about mutiny securing personal interests
- Lack of faith in Sepoys and some on themselves – e.g. Bahadur shah
Planning and organisation
- Absence at the start
- Capture of Delhi and proclamation of Bahadur Shah as emperor of Hindustan = political meaning to the revolt – also accepted by all rebel leaders
- Court of administrators established – take care of state matters
- Lack of coordination and communication
- No source of arms => shortage ; traditional arms against modern arms of British
- isolation of revolts => easily suppressed