Hindu-Muslim unity in 1857
Topic: The Revolt of 1857 · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Rebels and the Raj"
Meaning
During the revolt of 1857, Hindus and Muslims largely fought side by side. Rebel proclamations spoke to all castes and creeds. Even proclamations issued in the names of Muslim princes respected Hindu feelings. They described a war in which Hindus and Muslims had equally much to lose or gain, and they looked back to how the two had lived together under the Mughals. This matters because the British could not split the rebel camp along religious lines.
Example
A proclamation issued in Bahadur Shah's name called people to fight under the standards of both Muhammad and Mahavir. At Bareilly in December 1857, the British spent Rs 50,000 to turn Hindus against Muslims. The attempt failed.
Don't confuse with
- Later British "divide and rule": after 1857 the British increasingly used religious divisions. In 1857 itself, their attempt at Bareilly failed, and rebel unity held.