The way English historians describe the Revolution of 1857 is 

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TNUSRB SI Official Paper (Held on 24 June 2012)
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  1. War of Independence
  2. Soldier Mutiny
  3. The Great Revolt
  4. Freedom struggle

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Soldier Mutiny
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Soldier MutinyKey Points

  • John Lawrence and Earl Stanley are the British historians who termed the revolt of 1857 as a 'sepoy mutiny' or 'soldier mutiny'.
  • The process began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut via a mutiny of sepoys of the British East India Company's army.
  • Sepoys in the Presidency of Bengal revolted against their British officers, leading to worse conditions.
  • Moreover, calling it a 'mutiny' instead of a revolt or a war for independence downplays the political significance and the magnitude of the uprising against British rule in their historical narrative.
  • Hence, 'Soldier Mutiny' is often the preferred term in English historiography for the events of 1857.

Additional Information

  • War of Independence:
    • This is how many Indian historians describe the event of 1857.
    • It is seen as the first united rebellion against British authority and its oppressive policies in the country, thus marking it as the start of India's fight for independence.
  • The Great Revolt:
    • This is another term used mainly by Indian historians and commentators to underline the unified uprising of different segments of Indian society against British rule.
    • It is a term that signifies the widespread nature of the revolt.
  • Freedom struggle:
    • This term is more broadly used to refer to the entire spectrum of movements and struggles that led to the independence of India in 1947.
    • The term emphasizes the collective struggle against oppressive British rule.
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