2.3. What the Rebels Wanted

As victors, the British recorded their own trials and tribulations as well as their heroism. They dismissed the rebels as a bunch of ungrateful and barbaric people. The repression of the rebels also meant silencing of their voice. Few rebels had the opportunity of recording their version of events. Moreover, most of them were sepoys and ordinary people who were not literate. Thus, other than a few proclamations and ishtahars (notifications) issued by rebel leaders to propagate their ideas and persuade people to join the revolt, we do not have much that throws light on the perspective of the rebels. Attempts to reconstruct what happened in 1857 are thus heavily and inevitably dependent on what the British wrote.

After the 1857 revolt, the British portrayed themselves as heroes and described the rebels as ungrateful and barbaric. Because they were the winners, they controlled the narrative of history. In doing so, they ignored what the rebels had to say, as most were ordinary soldiers and civilians who lacked the education to document their experiences. The accounts that we have about the rebellion mainly come from British sources, leading to a biased view of the events.

Think of a sports game where one team wins and starts telling the story. Their version might focus on their strategies and heroics, while the losing team’s side is completely ignored. Just like the losing team might have its own important stories about teamwork and effort, the rebels in 1857 had their own perspectives that were never shared.

The rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population, irrespective of their caste and creed. Many of the proclamations were issued by Muslim princes or in their names but even these took care to address the sentiments of Hindus. The rebellion was seen as a war in which both Hindus and Muslims had equally to lose or gain. The ishtahars harked back to the pre-British Hindu-Muslim past and glorified the coexistence of different communities under the Mughal Empire. The proclamation that was issued under the name of Bahadur Shah appealed to the people to join the fight under the standards of both Muhammad and Mahavir.

During the 1857 revolt, leaders made a significant effort to unite people from different backgrounds. They created proclamations that emphasized the importance of Hindu and Muslim cooperation, highlighting their shared history and glory under Mughal rule. By using symbols and references relevant to both religions, they aimed to strengthen the collective action against British rule.

Imagine a community event where people of various cultures and faiths come together to celebrate their differences and common ground. By organizing activities that resonate with everyone, they aim to promote harmony and collective strength, much like the rebels intended to unify diverse societal sections against a common enemy.

In the Azamgarh Proclamation, the rebels described the British as infidels who were ruining both Hindus and Muslims under tyranny. The proclamation summoned wealthy individuals and leaders to take action for the common good, highlighting the urgency of joining the revolt. It stated that all classes, including zemindars (landowners), merchants, public servants, and artisans, were affected negatively by British policies. The rebels indicated that restoration of the old Mughal rule would ensure fair treatment and rights for all.

The Azamgarh Proclamation served not only as a call to arms but also as a rallying cry for all Indian people to unite against the British. It pointed out how British policies harmed everyone—landowners lost their rights, trades became monopolized, and ordinary workers faced ruin. By appealing to all groups and emphasizing shared grievances, it motivated a wide array of people to join the uprising.

Consider a town hall meeting where community leaders address local issues affecting everyone: from a farmer struggling with unfair pricing to a shop owner facing increased taxes. By highlighting these shared concerns, they motivate the community to band together for change, just as the rebels sought to unify diverse factions for a common cause.

The proclamations completely rejected everything associated with British rule or firangi raj as they called it. They condemned the British for the annexations they had carried out and the treaties they had broken. The British, the rebel leaders said, could not be trusted. What enraged the people was how British land revenue settlements had dispossessed landholders, both big and small, and foreign commerce had driven artisans and weavers to ruin. Every aspect of British rule was attacked and the firangi accused of destroying a way of life that was familiar and cherished.

The rebels adamantly opposed British rule, viewing it as oppressive and destructive to their traditional way of life. They highlighted the unfair annexations by the British and how policies led to the loss of land and livelihood for many. The rebels' goal was to reverse these changes and restore the conditions that had existed before British dominance, where they felt their rights and cultures were respected.

Picture a small town that had a vibrant market with local artisans and farmers thriving. When a large corporation comes in and takes over the market, many local businesses close, leading to economic struggles. The residents want to reclaim their market and lifestyle, similar to how the rebels wanted to restore their pre-British way of life.

Once British rule had collapsed, the rebels in places like Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur tried to establish some kind of structure of authority and administration. This was, of course, short-lived but the attempts show that the rebel leadership wanted to restore the pre-British world of the eighteenth century. The leaders went back to the culture of the court. Appointments were made to various posts, arrangements made for the collection of land revenue and the payment of troops, orders issued to stop loot and plunder.

After gaining control, the rebels attempted to create structures similar to those that existed before British rule. They aimed to maintain order and governance based on traditional methods, taking steps to ensure that the rebellion was not chaotic but organized. This effort highlighted their desire to return to a respected societal system, showing that they were not just interested in uprooting British authority but also in establishing a new governance rooted in their cultural history.

Think of a neighborhood that experienced a significant leadership change. The new leaders might seek to restore previous community practices that residents cherished, such as local meetings or regulations, to stabilize and build on the foundation of community trust. This mirrors how the rebels aspired to restore their old governance system.

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