Chapter 4 of History: Revolt and Analysis

Main Topics

• Revolt in India against British rule
• Tribal rebellion, peasant movements
• Indigo rebellion and the establishment of the Indigo Commission
• 1857 Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence

The 1857 Rebellion

Causes of the Sepoy Mutiny

• Injustice and low wages for Indian soldiers by British officials
• The Enfield rifles and cartridge issue
• Ignoring Indian social and religious practices

Key Events

• Revolt of Mangal Pandey
• Soldiers' capture of Delhi
• Roles of key leaders: Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, Bahadur Shah II

Nature of the Rebellion

• Different perspectives on the Sepoy Mutiny
• Viewed as an ethnic rebellion
• Different interpretations by various leaders

Consequences of the Rebellion

• End of the East India Company's rule
• India came under the British Crown
• Establishment of the Secretary of State for India and the conversion of the Governor-General to Viceroy
• Proclamation by Queen Victoria

Emergence of Assemblies and Committees

• British Indian Association: Chaired by Debendranath Tagore
• Indian Association: Founded by Surendranath Banerjee
• Hindu Mela: Rajnarayan Bose, Nabagopal Mitra

Literature and Art

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

• 'Anand Math' and 'Vande Mataram'
• Spread of national consciousness in literature

Swami Vivekananda

• Patriotism and religious revival
• Ideas throughout 'all of India'

Rabindranath Tagore

• Nationalism in the novel 'Gora'
• Depiction of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India)

Contribution in Art

• Paintings by Abanindranath Tagore
• Cartoons by Gaganendranath Tagore

Conclusion

• Revolt and struggle awakened national consciousness in Indian society
• Assemblies and literary works played a vital role in organizing Indian society

This lecture tells the story of the early phase of the Indian independence movement, driven by revolt, struggle, and nationalism.