Retrieving the Symbolic Significance of the Mughal Throne in the 1857 Rebellion

Authors

  • Sreepurna Biswas Student (A Level), Vidyashilp Academy, Bengaluru, 560064, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n8.016

Keywords:

Bahadur Shah Zafar II, British Colonialism, Mughal Empire, Symbolism

Abstract

The rebellion of 1857 has often been portrayed as a chaotic uprising, driven either by military mutiny or fragmented local grievances. This study reconsiders the revolt through the lens of symbolic sovereignty, focusing on the restoration of Bahadur Shah Zafar II as a unifying act that redefined legitimacy in colonial India. Rather than a nostalgic appeal to a fading dynasty, the invocation of the Mughal throne represented a focused political strategy. Rebels, elites, peasants, artisans, Dalits and sepoys organized their resistance within the framework of the Mughal empire, grounding their struggle in a moral and historical order that predated colonial rule. The British response was revealing as they had long relied on Mughal prestige to legitimize their rule, but now faced its power to unite resistance against them. Their subsequent efforts to erase Mughal legacy, through repression, exile and cultural destruction, exposed the fragility of colonial sovereignty. By examining archival records, proclamations and community narratives, this paper demonstrates how Mughal symbolism functioned as an active political resource, bridging diverse communities under a contested but intelligible vision of rightful rule. The study contributes to historiography by shifting attention away from narratives of decline or spontaneity, instead highlighting how sovereignty in 1857 was actively constructed through ideological, cultural and political negotiation.

Author Biography

Sreepurna Biswas, Student (A Level), Vidyashilp Academy, Bengaluru, 560064, India

Sreepurna Biswas is an A-Level student at Vidyashilp Academy, Bangalore, with a profound interest in economics and history. Her engagement with research began with a critical analysis shared on Academia, titled ‘A Critical Examination of Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow’, which was inspired by the Nobel Prize–winning author’s influential work. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has nurtured a passion for literature and poetry, contributing four poems to the website of TCKs for Christ. Recently, under the mentorship of Dr. Amna Sunmbul, Sreepurna Biswas authored a research paper on ‘Retrieving the Symbolic Significance of the Mughal Throne in the 1857 Rebellion’, through which she has deepened her historical understanding and demonstrated her commitment to scholarly inquiry. She aspires to continue expanding her knowledge and contributing to research while engaging with diverse perspectives.

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Published

14-08-2025

How to Cite

Biswas, S. (2025). Retrieving the Symbolic Significance of the Mughal Throne in the 1857 Rebellion. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 10(8), 136–147. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n8.016

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Vol. 10 No. 8 (2025): RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

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