Causes of The Failure of War of 1857

CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF INDIAN REVOLT OF 1857
1- The revolt was localized and not country wide
The revolt was to a great extent localized, limited and ill organized. The revolt could not become wide spread as it could not be started
simultaneously on the stipulated date. It had almost no effect in the south of Narmada, Sindh, Rajputana, Punjab, Bengal, Kashmir and
Nepal also remained unaffected.
2- Support of the native rulers to the English
Instead of supporting and participating actively in the revolt, the Indian princes showed their loyalty to the British at the time of
mutiny. The rulers of Hyderabad, Nabha, Patiala, Kapoorthala etc. showed their loyalty to the British and helped them in suppression
of the revolt. The Marathas Chiefs Scindhia and Holkar also remained loyal to the British.
3- Lack of leadership
Although there were capable leaders like Nana Sahib and Rani Laxmi Bai yet there was none who could command the allegiance and
respect of the people of the whole of India. The freedom fighters fought mostly in independent groups at different places. They were
led by leaders of their particular regions like Nana Saheb, Rani Jhansi, Tatya Topee, Bahadur Khan, Bakht Khan and Kanwar Singh.
There was no leader who could single handed lead all the groups.
4- Lack of unity of purpose and organization
The Indians rebels lacked unity of purpose and organization. There was not central organization which could lead the whole revolt.
The Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar wanted to regain his past glory and prestige, Nana Sahib wanted to become the Peshwa and
Rani Luxmi Bai was participating in the revolt to secure Jhansi for her adopted son.
They were defeated at different places. Bakht Khan was defeated at Delhi, Begum Hazrat Mahal lost at Oudh, Rani Jhansi was routed
at Jhansi. Nana Sahib lost at Kanpur and Bahadur Khan was defeated at Baraille. On the other hand the British fought the war of their
survival with dedication and purpose.
5- The revolt began prematurely
The organizers of the revolt had fixed 31st May 1857 as the beginning of the revolt and this news had been communicated in all the
cantonments and cities. But the incidents of Meerut and Barackpur rushed in revolt and it began prematurely. The Meerut outbreak
was fortunate for the company and fatal to the revolt. It upset the whole plan of the rebels, deprived them of a concerted action and in
many places the local leaders did not know what to do.
6- Limited resources of the Indian leaders
On account of the limited resources the rebels did not have the sufficient arms. This proved detrimental for their cause. On the other
hand the British had vast resources on their side.
7- The British had developed means of transport
The railways, postal system, telegraphs started by Lord Dalhousie proved to be a great asset to the British. The Indians rebels did not
destroy the roads, the railways routes and the telegraph houses and the British were able to suppress the revolt with the help of these
facilities.
8- The affected area of the revolt
The revolt remained confined to the big cities and could not gain the cooperation of common man. The peasants did not participate in
the revolt.
9- False propaganda of the British
The British started propagation false news among the Indians so as to create differences among the people. They spread their secret
agents throughout the whole of India who started creating communal differences among the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. The news
was spread that Bahadur Shah Zafar wanted to establish a Muslim empire and that he would destroy Sikhs. This enraged the Sikhs
who gave their wholehearted support and cooperation to the British.
10- The state of anarchy in the country
On account of lack of financial resources the Indian rebels started looking the common people. They broke open the gates of the jails
and thereby let loose the criminals and anti-social elements to commit atrocities upon the people. A state of anarchy was created in the
country which made dislike the revolt.
11- Control over sea-ports and positions
As the English had their control over the seas they were in a position to pour men and ammunitions into India with no difficulty. A
large number of troops were at once sent to India. The Indians fought with primitive weapons. They could not fight the Enfield rifle
with their swords. The rebels had practically no war materials with them.
12- The year 1857 was favourable to the British
The Crimean war and Chinese war were just over. The British armies were free to throw their weight against the mutineers. Russia
was defeated and there was no danger from that quarter. The rebels were isolated.
13- Personal jealousies among the mutineers
According to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad the leaders of the revolt could not agree. They were mutually jealous and continually
intriguing against each other. In fact these personal jealousies were largely responsible for the failure of the rebellion of 1856.
14- Non-Cooperation of Sikhs and Punjab

The Sikhs of the Province of Punjab considered the Muslims as their traditional enemies. Thus they decided to support the British in
the war of Independence. The Sikhs soldiers played a decisive role in the recovery of Delhi from the freedom fighters. It is contended
that had the Sikhs not assisted the English in the war the history of Indo-Pakistan would have been written differently.
15- Delayed action
The only hope of the success for the mutineers was to have quick victories. Time factor was against them. It could be taken for granted
that the English could not be able to get reinforcements from outside.

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CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF INDIAN REVOLT OF 1857

1- The revolt was localized and not country wide

2- Support of the native rulers to the English

4- Lack of unity of purpose and organization

5- The revolt began prematurely

6- Limited resources of the Indian leaders

7- The British had developed means of transport

8- The affected area of the revolt

10- The state of anarchy in the country

11- Control over sea-ports and positions

12- The year 1857 was favourable to the British

13- Personal jealousies among the mutineers

14- Non-Cooperation of Sikhs and Punjab

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