Expert: Abhijit - 10/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Was the Sepoy mutiny of 1857 a WAR or REVOLT?

ANSWER: Hi Paroma,

your question itself answer your querry. indeed, it was revolt against british rule. not only soldiares but pesants, farmers also took part in it.


Regards,
Abhijit

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sepoy mutiny is also called First WAR of Independence. Why is it called a war in this case? Please explain the basic difference between WAR and Revolt. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Paroma,

There is little difference between "revolt" and "War". whenever soldiares starts armed conflict, its termed as "revolt and not war" (the revolt of 1857, was started by soldiares of East India Company, then ruler of the most of India. so British termed it as a "revolt")

But when ordinary citizens, even farmers joined hands with soldiares, it turned into full fledged war, and thats how u will find 2 terms used for this "Revolt and first war of independance"

Regards
Abhijit