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Indian Rebellion of 1857

Indian Rebellion of 1857

7.9
A large uprising by Indian soldiers and other people against British rule in 1857 and 1858
  • noun
translation icon : Rebelión india de 1857
  • The Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a significant turning point in Indian history.

Examples

  • Historians still debate the underlying causes of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

  • The Indian Rebellion of 1857 is sometimes referred to as the First War of Indian Independence.

  • The Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a significant turning point in the history of British colonial rule.

  • Many historians believe the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a response to British oppression.

  • The Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a significant turning point in the fight for independence from British rule.

  • Many historians discuss the causes and consequences of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 in their research.

  • The Indian Rebellion of 1857 involved a series of fierce battles between Indian soldiers and British forces.

Synonyms

uprising
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
150 5.1

A group of people who rise up and use force to oppose the government

identifies this specific 1857–1858 instance rather than any single act of resistance
rebellion
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
128 4.1

A group of people who use weapons to fight the government

refers to the particular 1857–1858 historical case rather than general resistance
revolt
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
73 4.6

A violent attempt to remove a government or ruler

uses that general idea to name the famous 1857–1858 occurrence
insurrection
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
27 9.1

A planned violent attempt by a group to remove their government

is the large historical example of such an attempt in 1857–1858
insurgence
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
  • Literature
1 8.7

An organized group fighting against the government, often using weapons

is the broad public and open 1857–1858 event rather than covert actions
Indian Mutiny
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
  • Archaic
7.5

A major revolt against British rule in India in 1857 and 1858

is the standard historical name for the same nationwide 1857–1858 event
Sepoy Mutiny
vsIndian Rebellion of 1857
8.6

A large 1857–1858 uprising of Indian soldiers against British rule

focuses on the same event but highlights wider regional and civilian revolts

Surface Forms

Indian Rebellion of 1857 singular

Morphology

Indian + rebellion + of + 1857

The phrase is fully compositional: 'Indian' (pertaining to India) + 'rebellion' (an uprising) + the year '1857' plainly yields 'an uprising in India in 1857.' This is a referential, non-idiomatic historical name (cross-linguistically expressed in the same way); while the specific target ('against British rule') is historical background, the core meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Indian Rebellion of 1857 began when Indian soldiers refused to use new gun cartridges said to be greased with cow and pig fat, a story that deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim beliefs. The refusal turned into a wide revolt against British rule, so the name points to a major 'uprising' that some people call the 'First War of Indian Independence'.