Elucidate how the Revolt of 1857 served as a culmination of a century of local rebellions, and examine the subsequent shift in British administrative policies.

Question Understanding – Finding Information

Precise Syllabus Mapping: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.  (GS Paper – I)

Marks and Words Limit:

• The marks-oriented approach to answering (10-mark, 150-word) questions in the UPSC GS Paper 1 is to use Bullet Points (one idea per bullet point), Brainstorming, or a combination of both.
• The way to score good marks in questions worth (15 marks. 250 words) is to use the Heading and Subheading method while writing your answers.

Directive words

• Elucidate → Explain clearly with connections and examples
• Examine → Analyse changes, causes and consequences

Focal points of the questions:

• How 1857 was a culmination (not sudden, not isolated)
• Administrative shifts after 1857

Dos & Don’ts

Do for Maximum Marks

• Can use Brainstorming Idea: Local revolts → 1857 convergence → Crown rule → Policy reorientation
• Show continuity of resistance, not spontaneity
• Use analytical categories (peasant, tribal, military)
• Clearly link cause → revolt → policy shift
• Maintain chronological and logical flow
• Use neutral, academic tone

Don’t do these Common Mistakes

• Don’t reduce 1857 to only a “sepoy mutiny”
• Avoid excessive listing of revolts and dates
• Don’t write post-1857 policies without linking to fear of rebellion
• Avoid nationalist exaggeration or colonial apology
• Don’t mix up pre- and post-1857 chronology