British Administration in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Research Paper Example

It is a well-known fact that Indians are specifically dependent on their traditions and religions as a nation even before the time when the era of colonization came into existence. Indians were very specific in following their own culture thus establishing their own source of identity. True, this evidence goes to show that even though the British administration had the chance to take control of their society during the era of colonization, the same strong stance of the British government had a hard time imposing rules and regulations that the people of India should respond to.

Basing from the idea of colonization, huge national empires such as Britain do not only wish to create alliances, but also hope to reform the system of the societies they get a hold of; and India is no exception to the rule. During the invasion of the British governing system in India, it was evident that the British administrators hoped to create a new system that would redefine India’s system of living and at the same time give them an identity that would connect them to the reputation of other colonies that the British government takes hold of at the time. Among the changes involved extending their transportation options hence creating connections between several societies in the land. Another is that of the change of the pattern of ownership of land in the country which had both its positive and negative effects that affected the vision of the Indian nationals to their foreign administrators. Relatively, these are only a few among the many causes of social changes and supposed imbalances that occurred which led to the incidence of rebellion in India during the year 1857.

The Beginning of the Connection

The Indian-British relations at the first-hand of the colonization of the country under the British administrators could be noted to have had smooth start. Administrators of the European country had big plans for India’s expansion into a more modern and more reputable nation in the face of international development. Indians, along with their local rulers found such plans rather alluring, inviting and not evasive of their culture at all. However, things have changed and the strong connection of the Indians with their religion and their traditions has caused the downfall of that supposed partnership they had with the British force.

In fact, the reason behind the not-so-huge operation of the 1857 rebellion in India is because of the idea that there were a lot of Indians and Indian soldiers who chose not to revolt and remained loyal to the British government in view that the said administration would bring them to the path of further development and better future[1]. The sepoys [the Indian soldiers who served the British East Indian Company] had been divided during the said year and some remained in support of the British course of governance.

The Beginning of the Rebellion

What triggered the rebellion was seemingly a mindless institution of rules and regulations that seemed to have become an insult to the religious beliefs of the Indians[2]. Specifically bounded by the religious principles of Hinduism and Islamic belief, the Indians had so much to observe that could compromise their religion in line with the need to follow with the new regulations imposed by the British administration[3]. The huge number of conversion of some Muslims and Hindus into Christianity challenged the solidity of the religious stand of most Indians, a threat that the nationals did not take lightly. Along with this came the infamous existence of the Enfield paper cartridge that are to be used in major ammunition of the army. The said cartridges were said to be greased with beef and/or pork oil which was considered by the sepoys as somewhat insulting on their part[4].

Another issue that emerged is the fact that the landlords of India were stripped off from their properties and were forced to live lowly lives which they were not accustomed to. The passing of the law on land ownership specifically posted a great threat to the identity of the Indians showing much concern that could push forward to their lost of control over their resources, in this case, their land. These particular situations had led the sepoys to establish a mutiny and attack the British army. The mutiny spread throughout several regions in the country making the rebellion of 1857 one of the most remarkable yet most violent uprisings that ever happened in the country[5].

Controlling the Situation

How did the British army cope in the middle of all this chaos and apparently managed to win the battle? Strategic as the approach of the British administration was, it was a presentation on how effective they were in assuming control over most of the population of the people in the country. The most efficient and practically the most effective response that the British administration had on the matter was using the weakness of the Indians against themselves. True, as noted, while many among the Indians decided to take revolt against the system of governance led by the British administrators, there were still those who remained loyal and chose to stay within the command of the foreign rulers[6]. They specifically believed that what Britain has in store for them is somewhat going to make their nation flourish further. Not that these non-rebels were not religious, they simply depended strongly on the promise of change and development that the British administrators has established amongst them.

Traditional Indians on the other hand held strongly to their culture and religion understanding that change is good but too much of it would ruin their identity. These interchange of beliefs between Indians themselves has been used by the British administration to take control of the situation. Putting enmity between Indians who remained loyal and those who rebelled seem to have been the most controversial yet most effective way of ending the mutiny[7]. When the chaos finally ended, Britain agreed to several compromises on the rules and regulations that they have imposed in the nation and among its people. In the aim of gaining peace, the British administration hoped to create agreements that would both be acceptable to them and to the Indian nationals.

Conclusion

The culture of colonization in the early 1800’s has greatly affected the power-struggle between empires and their colonies. Britain and India had a good start, however because of mindless requirements and provisions that the British government asked from the Indian society, what was supposed to be a partnership began to appear as a form of enmity that was based on the culture of non-trust. Relatively, this event in history creates a remarkable indication that even though how strong the nations that colonize smaller countries back then, the power of the people based on a strong conviction specifically provides a much more improved system of development towards freedom and independence.

References

Stokes, Eric. “The First Century of British Colonial Rule in India: Social Revolution or Social Stagnation?” Past and Present ?.58 (Feb. 1973) pp136-160.

Mason, Philip (1974). A matter of honour. London: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston.

Pionke, Albert D. (2004). Plots of opportunity: representing conspiracy in Victorian England. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press. p. 86–7.

Wolpert, Stanley (2009). A New History of India (8th ed.). New Y

[1] Stokes, Eric. “The First Century of British Colonial Rule in India: Social Revolution or Social Stagnation?” Past and Present ?.58 (Feb. 1973) pp136-160.

[2] Mason, Philip (1974). A matter of honour. London: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston

[3] Mason, Philip (1974). A matter of honour. London: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston

[4] Wolpert, Stanley (2009). A New History of India (8th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford UP. p. 240.

[5] Mason, Philip (1974). A matter of honour. London: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston

[6] Wolpert, Stanley (2009). A New History of India (8th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford UP. p. 240.

[7] Pionke, Albert D. (2004). Plots of opportunity: representing conspiracy in Victorian England. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press. p. 86–7.