The Indians did not like the British rulers. They are freedom lovers. They could not tolerate the slavery of the British. There was resentment among the Indian soldiers. They revolted against the British at Meerut in 1857. They refused to obey the orders of the British officers. They fought the British soldiers. Some rulers of Indian States also joined the fighting. This was our First War of Independence. iakshmi Boi the Rani of Jhansi, Tantia Tope, A/ana Sahib and Bahadur Shah Zafar were its main leaders.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, was declared the emperor of Hindustan. Jhansi, Gwalior, Kahpur, Meerut and Delhi were the main centers of this rising. All the leaders fought bravely. The Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai, dressed as soldier and led her forces against the British. She fought bravely and died for the freedom of the motherland. Nana Sahib was also killed while fighting against the British forces. Bahadur Shah Zafar was taken prisoner and was sent to Rangoon in Burma, where he died an unsung death. The British were able to put down this rising.
The British, however learnt a lesson. The Government of India came under the British Crown. The Company rule was gone. Queen Victoria was the ruler of England at that time. The British Government promised to rule India with justice but they continued the policy of discrimination. Very few Indians were given high posts.