The Punjab and 1857: A Critical Perspective

The uprising of 1857 played an important role in the history of colonial India. There were many nuances as far as revolt of 1857 in Punjab was concerned. There were many factors related to it and many kind of interpretation which comes to light through many archival sources. In order to understand 1857 revolt in Punjab, we have to look at it in holistic way without blaming or cornering one community or region. There were revolts in Punjab in different parts as well as suppression of it with stringent rules and means. The siding of the princely states, placement of cantonments, Sikh as an integral component of the British Indian Army, the positive steps taken by the British in Punjab after it had been acquired into the British dominion were some of the important factors. They got the British support from the residents, as it happened in the case of east and central India. Thus, the so called Punjab/Sikh betrayal was neither deliberate nor planned.