Detailed Summary of Section 3.2
The 1857 uprising in India, often referred to as the First War of Independence, was significantly rooted in the perception of British rule as immensely oppressive. Rebel leaders articulated these sentiments through proclamations that categorically rejected British authority, labeling it as a "firangi raj" that disrupted the traditional social fabric.
The British policies that led to dispossession of both large landholders and small farmers through high land revenue demands created a fertile ground for discontent. Artisans and weavers also suffered economically as foreign commerce shattered their livelihoods. The resentment of these economic injustices was compounded by fears that British rule threatened to undermine the religious identities and customs of both Hindus and Muslims, stirring a collective emotional response.
Many proclamations called for unity among various social groups to resist and overthrow the British, suggesting an aspiration for a socio-political structure reminiscent of pre-colonial times. This unification effort, however, often extended beyond mere resistance against British rule and involved assaults on local elites and moneylenders linked to the colonial regime, indicating a broader rebellion against all forms of oppression. Through these actions, the rebels not only aimed to restore their traditional way of life but also sought to create a more egalitarian social order, reflecting a desire for a return to their perceived cultural heritage.