1857: first war of Independence?

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Historians and historiographers are expected to study and narrate an
event objectively and without showing loyalty to any affiliation –
regional, communal or philosophical. People need pure and plain
history, not a history coloured with saffron, red or green. But the
history of Independence war in India is replete with violations of
ethics of historiography.

Veer Savarkar was the first author who described the war of 1857 as
the first war of Independence. This is entirely untrue. The war
against India’s British government began much much earlier. Such wars
were fought under the leadership of Tipu Sultan, Sirajuddaula, Mir
Qasim and others.

The arguments in favor of the popular perception about the war of 1857
do not hold ground in light of the historical facts hidden
deliberately from the public eye. To say that the war of 1857 was the
first Independence war because the Indian nation took part in it is
not a strong point. Because, Tipu Sultan, Ali Wardi Khan and
Sirajuddaula, though individuals, led an army against the British army
and their people were behind them too. The number of casualties in the
war between Sirajuddaula and the British army was much higher than
that in the war of 1857.

More : http://www.twocircles.net/2008may06/1857_first_war_independence.html