Question

Why did the 1857 revolt prove a failure ?

OR

What were the reasons for the failure of the revolt of 1857?

Answer 1

The revolution was a failure because of:

• Lack of coordination among rebels and absence of centralised leadership. There was no provision for reinforcement of men, money and arms.
• The revolt happened way before the fixed date thus disrupting the planning and alerting the British.
• Being concentrated mainly in North India. Many social reformers refrained from joining the revolt proving that the intellectual class did not support the revolt.
• India was ruled by various rulers; thus the feelings of nationalism had not developed among Indians. Many leaders sided the British or remained passive during the revolt.
• Sikhs and Gurkhas fought from the side of the British which proved to be a great disadvantage.
• The British army was superior with latest weapons and good military commanders.
• Indian leaders were fighting to regain control of their individual territories and not for the whole nation.