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Why do some Indian historians call the Indian Rebellion of 1857 the First War of Independence?

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Illustration of De Kantzow defending the treasury at Mainpuri during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, showing a British officer confronting armed sepoys inside a building as tensions rise during the uprising. — Indian Rebellion of 1857 Indian sepoys (soldiers) corner a British officer amid their attack on a treasury in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.

Some historians and nationalist writers refer to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as the "First War of Independence" to emphasize its character as a widespread, popular uprising against British rule rather than a mere military mutiny.12

This perspective was notably popularized by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1909 work, The Indian War of Independence, 1857, which framed the event as the first mass rebellion against colonial authority. Nationalist historians argue that the revolt involved significant popular support and a collective desire to resist the political, economic, and social pressures imposed by the East India Company.32

Conversely, other historical analyses suggest the movement was more complex, noting that it was led by traditionalists seeking to restore former regimes and that it lacked a unified national vision. While the rebellion failed to achieve its goals, it remains a pivotal moment in history that signaled the end of the Mughal dynasty and the beginning of direct British crown rule, ultimately fostering the sense of nationalism that would later define the Indian independence movement.24