Question

What was the result of the First War of Independence on the East India Company?

Answer 1

Hint: The First War of Independence of the East India Company, also known as the Revolt of 1857 or the Sepoy Mutiny is referred to as the first rebellion by the Indian masses against the colonial government on a pan India level. Across North India people from all sections of society took up arms against the colonial government. This resulted in a decisive victory for the English.

Complete Step by Step answer: Due to a multitude of reasons, the most important being the poorly coordinated Indian side and a militarily superior British side, the flag bearers of the rebellion had to bear heavy losses following the extinguishing of the revolt.
Step by step, the colonial government regained all the territory that had been captured in the rebels' way to organisational capacity and superiority in numbers and arms.
Therefore the most important result of the war was the comprehensive defeat of the Indians leading the war and further consolidation of British power.
Other subsequent consequences of the war were-
i) The administrative power was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown through the Government of India Act 1858, the Governor General was replaced by the Viceroy who was to be a direct representative of the Queen, India was henceforth to the ruled in the name of Queen Victoria.
ii) The dual system of government was ended with the Court of Directors and Board of Control abolished. A new office known as Secretary of State along with a 15 member advisory body was established.
iii) In the aftermath of the war, multiple administrative changes were undertaken to ensure that such an event could never take place. Changes were made in the army, new features in architecture were incorporated ( such as clearing of ground in front of fort William in Calcutta to ensure a clear shooting ground from the fort for any incoming hostile forces) etc.

Note: The First War of Indian Independence, First War against East India Company, the Revolt of 1857 or the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was a series of events and conflicts across north India which aimed to oust the foreign power and reestablish the erstwhile Badshahi system. The revolt lacked planning and unity as well as strength of numbers and weapons. Sheer courage could not win against a disciplined and organised British army loaded with arms. Eventually the revolt was brutally suppressed.