Consider the following statements with reference to the lacunas of Sepoy mutiny 1857:

1. They lacked coherent ideologies and political perspectives.

2. Big zamindars participated enthusiastically along with sepoys.

3. Educated Indians also supported them wholeheartedly.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

Solution

● Statement 1 is correct: Sepoy mutiny 1857- There was No Unified Ideology. The mutineers did not have a clear understanding of colonial rule. They had no forward-looking programme, a political perspective or a societal alternative. The rebels simply represented diverse elements with differing grievances and concepts of current politics. ● Statement 2 is incorrect: Most rulers of the Indian states and the big zamindars, selfish to the core and fearful of British might, refused to join in. Governor-General Canning later called these rulers as the breakwaters to the storm which would have otherwise swept us in one great wave. The zamindars of Bengal were also loyal to the Britishers as they were all made by the British. Taluqdars of Awadh backed after land restitution was promised to them. Moneylenders saw their class interests better protected under British patronage. So they didn’t support the 1857 revolt. ● Statement 3 is incorrect: The modern educated Indians also did not support the Revolt. They were against appeals to superstitions by the rebels and the opposition of progressive social measures by them. The educated Indians wanted to end the backwardness of the country. They mistakenly believed that British rule would help them accomplish these tasks of modernization while the rebels would take the country backward.