Indian Mutiny Research Paper

The Indian Mutiny of 1857 has been one of the most popular events in Indian history; many historians dispute over the origins of the fight debating whether the event was a militaristic matter or a national uprising. Historians also argue about the intentions of the mutiny. Was it an abrupt reaction, or had the Indian rebels been planning and organizing the event over time? Evidence has been given from both sides stating the opinion of the causes of the mutiny. It could have been a number of reasons from racial inferiority, religious differences, and suppression. Indians attempt to rise against the British Raj but failed in their attempt due to a lack of organization, power, and help from foreign aid.

India was clearly suppressed by the British

Some historians say that there was an evident lack of organization, preparation, leadership, and direction. They also argue that the leaders were not men of high ideals, with selfish motivation and low competence. On the opposing side, historians will argue that the mutiny had been planned long before it happened. Savarkar believed that independence would best be achieved through violence. He attempted to show how effective a unified front could be towards the British. Indian nationalist looked at Savarkar’s work as the interpretation of the Indian Mutiny since it was the first account that showed the Indian perspective of the uprising. It displayed the rebels as heroes and the British as the villains. This interpretation was different from others because the other perspectives mainly came from British historians, which exuded a sense of pride and superiority. Although many debate over the military power and effects of the mutiny, Disraeli argued that the mutiny was actually not only a military uprising but a national effort to rid the British rule in