Question

What kinds of revolts took place before the revolt of 1857?

Answer 1

Hint: Between the period of 1756 to 1856 there occurred twelve revolts against the company's exploitative rule. There were several causes including political, socio-religious, military, economy and immediate cause. All these had a cumulative effect which finally led to the outbreak of the revolt of 1857.

Complete answer: The British before the revolt of 1857 introduced many policies to increase their power and authority over large parts of India. Policies such as the doctrine of lapse, subsidiary alliance and Battle of Plassey etc changed the old way of life and all the sections of the society. Before the revolt of 1857, there were many popular uprisings against the British and sometimes the Indian landlords. The uprising can be categorised into:
 -Tribal and peasants movements: one of the notable tribal and peasants movements or uprisings before 1857 is Santhal rebellion. After the introduction of the permanent settlement in Bengal in 1793 heavy taxes and oppression by revenue officials, landlords and moneylenders became the main reason for the uprising. Under Sidhu and Kanhu the uprising began against the oppressors and declared themselves independent in 1854. Other examples are Khond uprising and Early Munda uprising and Blue rebellion.
-Politico-religious movements: it includes movements like Pagal Panthis, Wahhabi movement, Kuka revolt etc. Pagal Panthi was a movement against the operation of zamindars while the Wahhabi movement challenged the supremacy of Britishers in India.
All these movements and rebellions became the cause of the first war of independence in 1857.

Note: The introduction of the company's territorial expansion and policy of annexation led to the outbreak of these small uprisings which finally led the first war of independence in 1857. The end of the revolt resulted at the end of English companies rule and India came directly under the rule of the British government.