State the causes of defeat of revolution in 1857 struggle.

While the revolution of 1857 was held in full gusto, it still resulted in defeat of the revolutionaries. While initially the British could not fend off the revolutionaries, they eventually regained control of the Indian subcontinent. This is attributed a variety of causes.

a. Lack of fixed planning caused communication lags which eventually caused the downfall.

b. Revolutionaries did not have superior weaponry that the British possessed with limited sources.

c. The revolutionaries were not supported by the local estates causing scattered unity. There was no strong leadership who commanded the revolt and no defined aim.

d. The revolt was planned haphazardly. While initially the revolt was planned to start on the 31^st of May 1857 however Mangal Pandey’s death caused the revolt upheaval to start on 10^th May 1857.

e. Lord Canning diplomatically gained favour over Rajasthan royalties which allowed them to gain control over the revolutionaries. Many landowners, zamindars etc who gained favour from the British showed loyalty towards the British.

Even as the revolt of 1857 might have ended in defeat of the revolutionaries, it was an important event that for the first time challenged the authority of the British and shook them awake to the injustices and issues of the Indians and their collective strength.