Page 3 - ch 11

Revolt of 1857 and Reforms in the Indian Army Module - III

Military History of the
The revolt started earlier than schedule because a sepoy named Mangal Pandey
Colonial Era
hit and wounded a British sergeant. He was later arrested and hanged for causing
a mutiny. This mutiny led to a number of other such revolts against the East India
Company. You must have heard of brave Indians like Jhansi ki Rani, Tantia
Tope and other communities of Rajputs and Jats, which revolted. The Company
was slow to act but later they managed to stop the rebellion with superior firepower
and weapons. These revolts led to the dismissal of the East India Company and Note
establishment of a direct rule by the Queen of England. The army organization
also changed.

Intext Questions 11.1

1. What is the name of the first Indian Mutiny in 1806?
2. Which Mutiny took place in 1857?

3. Name the Sepoy who hit and wounded a British Soldier?

11.3 Reforms in the Indian Army

The failure of the East India Company prompted the Queen to take over governance
of India and proclaim it under the 'Crown'. Let us try to understand what reforms
took place after the Queen's rule in India. After the 1857 war of Independence the
Company rule came to an end and the crown took over India. A grand durbar was
held at Allahabad on November 1, 1858. Lord Canning sent forth the royal
proclamation that the queen will be the deciding authority in India and this proclamation
declared the future policy of the British Rule in India. The document was called "Magna
Carta of the People of India". It gave clear guidelines on Principles of Justice and
religious tolerance in the Queen's rule. The Doctrine of Lapse (allow company to
annex the principality of any Indian ruler who died without natural heirs or one who
was manifestly incompetent or not fit to rule) was cancelled and the British stopped
the policy of annexation. The document also granted forgiveness to all, except those
who had directly taken part in murdering the British people. Peace was proclaimed
throughout India on July 8, 1859. The armies of the East India Company came to an
end and the forces in India were incorporated as an integral part of the British army.
The most important thing happened due to this proclamation was that the Indian Sepoys
were enlisted in the regular service in the British Indian Army and they participated in
the Wars fought by the British army.

So what were the reforms that took place, which changed the outlook of the British
Indian Army? The British Indian army was becoming stronger as time passed by and
modern technology was introduced in the form of guns, rifles and ammunition. By the
end of the nineteenth century the army had changed from mere guards and temporary
recruits of locals, it had become a professional fighting force with proper regiments of

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