In return, we celebrate the day of August the 15th, year out in unison with the rest of the nation as we commemorate our Indian independence from British rule. On this day everybody is happy by dancing, singing, flying kites and last but not the least enjoying the tasty items.
Today is special, in fact very special because the day etched in everyone’s mind is when India was freed from 200 years of British rule. Yet, have we all realized how this journey of freedom started?
It was not an easy journey, several lost their loves on the tale of the first war of Indian Independence, which was the basis of the entire process of liberations of the country in 1947.
Towards Freedom: The Long War: Indian Independence
The Indian fight for freedom was not begun in 1947 and it was not for a few years only. It was a liberation struggle that took several centuries and people who stood their ground against the British colonials. The British dominated Indians over centuries, poorly treating them and using severe policy and Laws on them. The British, by their actions and policies were undermining India’s social and economic structures and cultural institutions and this greatly angered the common man.
The Beginning of the Revolt 1857
Britain’s rule was met by the first large-scale rebellion in 1857. This revolution known also as the First War of Indian Independence was not an impulse and an act of passion but an accumulated indignation of Indian people. By 1857, the British had been ruling over areas of India as their colonial masters for nearly a century. Their policies, for instance the Doctrine of Lapse and the enforcement of English laws and education offended Indian traditions, culture and self-rule.
The trigger of rebellion was occasioned by the issues of the new Enfield Rifle to the British Indian Army. The bullets of this rifle was said to have been lubricated with cow and pig fat, something which could anger Hindu and Muslims soldiers. These were immediate reasons that fueled indignant leading to revolt through other factors that were more profound.
The Revolt Spreads
The revolt started from the state Meerut on 10 May 1857 when Indian soldiers or the British Indian Army refused to accept the new cartridges. Non-compliance requires severe punishment, and later elicited a revolt. Those soldiers mutinied, assassinated their British commanders and began to march toward delhi. Here they announced the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader after reaching Delhi. This was a sign of mere formality as Bahadur Shah Zafar had little or no control over events but it was a rallying call for rebels.
The revolt soon gained in northern and central parts of India. In Delhi, however, there was a stiff fight, which made the British prosecute the rebels with a lot of force. But still the symbol of the revolt was Bahadur Shah Zafar though he was very old and had lost most of his power. Some of the other centers of the revolt were Kanpur, Jhansi and Lucknow. In Kanpur, the adopted son of the last Peshwa of the Marathas, Nana Sahib was the helm of the affairs of the revolt. In Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai stood out to be one of the important figures of the revolt.
The Heroes of the Revolt: Indian Independence
Many heroes were born during the First war of Indian Independence where they fought high spirited against the British. Of them, Rani Lakshmibai of the Jhansi can be rightly considered the most famous one. To the British attempt to take over her kingdom she rebelled against and she even died fighting. That is the reason she is a legend and remains an icon of the freedom struggle of India from the British dominations.
In Lucknow which was the capital of Awadh, the leading role was played by Begum Hazrat Mahal who was the wife of dethroned Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. She took over the management of Lucknow and commanded troops against British forces and proved a formidable opponent.
Other leaders who involved themselves in the rebellion include Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope and Kunwar Singh among others. These leaders irrespective of their origin and area of control were all same in their sentiments for freedom from Britain’s rule.
The Aftermath
Although the rebellions received much support and early victories, the revolt was soon suppressed by the British. The British forces acted viciously putting down the rebellion and rebelling forces were hunted and shot with extreme prejudice.
The failure of the revolt signaled the end of an era of history of Indians. In the imperial counterparts of these reforms, the British government assumed direct rule of India from the company in 1858 and Queen Victoria was proclaimed the Empress of India in 1877.
Conclusion: Indian Independence
The first war of Indian Independence or we can say the Ireland failed to secure freedom from the British first Indian revolt was an important war fought in India. It may thus be summarized that while it paved way from long drawn freedom.
While all want to enjoy this Independence Day, we should not forget the efforts and the price that was paid in order to achieve our freedom. This is why they remain to be cherished and remembered that our country gained independence so dearly.
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