Final answer:
The British called the 1857 event the Sepoy Mutiny which reflects their view of it as a localized insurrection, while Indians see it as the First War of Independence, a larger fight for freedom from colonial rule. The uprising led to the British Raj, and later events like the Amritsar Massacre galvanized the independence movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event known as the Sepoy Mutiny by the British and the First War of Independence by Indians signifies the different perspectives held by each group regarding the 1857 uprising. To the British, it was a mutiny because it represented a revolt by Indian soldiers, or sepoys, within their employ, which they saw as a breach of discipline and loyalty. In contrast, Indians refer to it as the First War of Independence, as it was the first significant attempt to end British rule and assert Indian sovereignty. This divergence in terminology reflects the underlying attitudes of the British seeing themselves as legitimate rulers dealing with a localized rebellion, while Indians viewed the uprising as a broader struggle for freedom.
Beyond terminologies, the insurrection had pivotal consequences, including the end of the British East India Company's rule and the institution of direct governance by the British Crown, known as the British Raj. Additionally, incidents like the Amritsar Massacre in 1919 further intensified the Indian independence movement, leading to the ultimate formation and efforts of groups like the Indian National Congress.