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• All these factors cumulatively led to intense participation of people of Awadh in revolt of
1857.

Demands of Rebels:

• During the revolt only few proclamations and ‘ishtahars’ (notification) were issued by
rebel leader to propagate their ideas and persuade people to join the revolt.
• So it is very difficult to reconstruct what happened in 1857 and what were the demands of
rebels. The only way to know in detail about revolt of 1857 is by going through details of
British officials and to know their point of view.
• Proclamation issued by rebel leader appealed to all sections of the population irrespective
of cast and creed. The rebellion was seen as a war in which both Hindus and Muslims were
equally to lose or gain.
• It was remarkable that during uprising, religious division between Hindus and Muslims
was hardly noticeable despite the attempt of British government.

Rebels Against the Oppression:

• British rule ruined the status of peasants, artisans and weavers. There was a sense of fear
and suspicion that British were determined to destroy the caste and religion of Hindus and
Muslims and convert them to Christianity.
• Proclamation were issued which urged people to come together to save their livelihood,
faith, identity and completely reject the things associated with firangi raj.
• During the revolt, rebellion attacked all the symbols and office of British government.
Rebellion even targeted the allies of British government, ransacked moneylenders property
and burnt account books.
• All the activities reflected an attempt of rebels to overturn traditional hierarchies and rebel
against all oppression.

The Search of Alternative Power:

• Rebels tried to establish pre-British world of 18th century during the revolt.
• They tried to set up whole administrative machinery on one hand to carry out day to day
activities during the war and on the other hand they tried to plan how to fight with British.

Repression by the British:

• To reconquer North India, British passed series of law. Whole North India was put under
martial law, military officers and ordinary Britons were given power to punish Indian
suspected of rebellion.
• Britain government brought reinforcement from Britain and arranged double pronged
strategy to capture Delhi. Delhi was captured in late September only.
• British government faced very stiff resistance in the Awadh and they had to use military
power at gigantic scale.