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Swaraj Archive

1847–1947

Timeline

Filter by era or theme. Select an event to read its causes, consequences and sources.

1857–1885

Revolt & Aftermath

The great uprising, the end of Company rule and the rise of a new educated class.

  1. Painting of sepoys and cavalry fighting outside Delhi's fort walls in 1857

    10 May 1857

    Revolt of 1857

    Beginning with sepoys at Meerut, the uprising spread across north and central India. Rebels proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar emperor in Delhi before the British crushed it by 1858.

    political · social · regional

  2. 1 November 1858

    Queen's Proclamation and Crown Rule

    After the Revolt, the Government of India Act 1858 ended East India Company rule. Queen Victoria's Proclamation promised religious tolerance and equal treatment.

    political

  3. 1859–1860

    Indigo Revolt

    Peasants in Bengal refused to grow indigo for European planters who forced them into unfair contracts. The press and educated Bengalis backed them.

    economic · regional · social

  4. 1867–1901

    Drain of Wealth Theory

    Dadabhai Naoroji argued that Britain drained India's wealth through home charges, salaries and trade. His Poverty and Un-British Rule in India appeared in 1901.

    economic

  5. 1878–1884

    Vernacular Press Act and Ilbert Bill Controversy

    Lord Lytton's Vernacular Press Act gagged Indian-language newspapers. Then in 1883 Europeans fiercely opposed the Ilbert Bill, which let Indian judges try Europeans.

    political