Sepoy Mutiny Research Paper

period in India. The Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 led to policy changes in the administration of British India. As part of the change, the British stopped all further annexation of native states and during the period 1858–1947 the general policy changed to one of non-annexation but with the right of intervention. Opinions differ on the causes of the mutiny: whether it was a planned war of independence against the colonial empire, or an uncoordinated mutiny of soldiers who felt a threat to their religious sensitivity, or simply a revolt by soldiers who wanted increased pay and greater career opportunities. Whatever the cause, the Sepoy Mutiny saw the participation of some 8,000 of the 139,000 sepoys (soldiers) of the Bengal Army. Though the mutiny was suppressed by the end of 1858, it was a major shock to British power. It led to the administration of India being directly taken over by the British Crown from the East India Company.

Unable to make sense of the mutiny, the colonial authorities took support of the
The Company had since 1757 allowed local kings to pay an annual royalty. These kings retained their traditional administrative authority and the ability to legislate, subject to British supervision and control. Maine’s indirect rule was vastly different because it moved away from a focus on the conquered elites. In essence, direct rule had a civilizing aim over ‘uncivilized’ colonized others. In addition, direct rule colonialism was also primarily premised on economic exploitation. In doing so, it acknowledged the differences between the colonizer and the colonized. Post-1857, although the British gave up outright annexation of territory, they still reserved the right to intervene in the internal affairs of native states and they exercised this right in several native areas. North East India was no