<P> Some Sikh groups have also opposed the use of the term, they insist that the First Anglo - Sikh War (1845--46) should be called the First War of Independence instead . In May 2007, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and three other MPs from Punjab protested against the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the 1857 revolt over this issue . Although many such wars had taken place before the First Anglo - Sikh war, like the First Anglo - Maratha War and First Anglo - Mysore War . </P> <P> Some Indian writers also insist that none of the armed uprisings against the British in India, including the 1857 uprising, should be termed as a "war of independence", since they were not national in nature, not motivated by nationalist sentiment and only involving a minority of people or soldiers . </P>

When was the first war of independence fought