This GSEB Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 9 The Freedom Movement of 1857 C.E covers all the important topics and concepts as mentioned in the chapter.
The Freedom Movement of 1857 C.E Class 8 GSEB Notes
→ Widespread dissatisfaction among Indians due to suppressive policies adopted by the British to spread their empire was the main reason for the revolt of 1857 C.E.
→ The Policy of Social Reforms brought in by the Company made people feel insecure and suspicious as they felt the government was trying to convert them to Christianity and destroy Indian religion and culture forever.
→ People felt that Indian social system was deliberately undermined in railways, jails and military. Any new changes aroused dissatisfaction. Thus many people Jj joined the freedom movement to sustain their socio-religious beliefs.
→ The British aimed at bringing prosperity to England at the cost of Indians which impoverished most sections of Indian society. Landlords and peasants who lost their lands participated in the revolt.
→ In January 1857, the new ‘Enfield Rifle’ was introduced in the Indian army. This became the immediate reason for the 1857 muting for freedom.
→ The 19th battalion of Barrackpore was the first to refuse to use the cartridge.
→ It was planned to begin the revolt against the East India Company across the nation on 31st May, 1857 C.E.
→ Leaders like Nanasaheb Peshwa, Moghul Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Kunwarsingh, Shah of Avadh (Ayodhya) joined hands with Tatya Tope, an efficient military commander, Rango Bapuji, an accomplished planner and Azimullah Khan, a lawyer and journalist, Laxmibai the Queen of Jhansi, etc. were the main leaders of the 1857 revolt.
→ Mangal Pandey, a soldier of Barrackpore battalion, opposed to use the cow-and-pig-fat greased cartridge of the new Enfield Rifle. As a result the revolt began on 10th May instead of 31st May. This disrupted the planning and the objectives of the revolt could not be achieved.
→ Mangal Pandey became the First Martyr of the 1857 revolt.
→ The 7th battalion of the British army joined the revolt in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in June 1857.
→ Garbad Das Patel, the headman of Anand in Kheda district collected 2000 volunteers of the Koli and Nayakada communities to join the revolt. He was supported by Jivabhai Thakor of Khanpur, Malaji Joshi and Krishna Das Dave.
→ Cities of North Gujarat like Patan, Kheralu, Bhiloda, Mudeti, etc. joined the revolt with the help of natives.
→ The revolt had started on 10th May and by the V:-T end of June 1857, the British were able to regain control over Banaras and Allahabad. Kanpur was recaptured in July and Delhi in September.
→ It is believed that Nanasaheb Peshwa stayed in Shihor village of Bhavnagar district in Gujarat.
→ Two opinions prevail about the later period of Tatya Tope’s life : According to the first opinion Tatya Tope was captured and hanged on 18th April, 1859. However, the second opinion states that Tatya Tope escaped and spent the later years of his life in Navsari, Gujarat.
→ At the ead of the 1857 revolt, the Company rule came to an end and India came under the direct rule of the Crown.