Cause of 1857 Revolt in India
What were the main causes of the 1857 revolt in India?
Cause of the 1857 Revolt in India
The main causes of the 1857 revolt in India were:
Sepoy Discontent: The introduction of greased cartridges that violated the religious beliefs of Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
Religious and Cultural Factors: British attempts to undermine Indian customs and traditions, and the imposition of the English language and education.
Economic Exploitation: Heavy land taxes, the Zamindari system, and the destruction of traditional industries led to economic distress.
Political Grievances: Annexation of princely states, Doctrine of Lapse, and disregard for Indian rulers’ rights and privileges.
Social Injustice: Racial discrimination, social inequalities, and denial of basic rights to Indians.
Influence of Revolt Movements: Inspiration from earlier revolts and uprisings against British rule.
These factors together contributed to the widespread discontent and desire for independence among the Indian population, leading to the 1857 revolt.
– Written By Komal
By the year 1856, a major part of India came under the domination of the British East India Company. Different sections of the society presented against the British and their supporters, zamindars and money lenders, and revolted against them in the year 1857. In history, this famous uprising of 1857 is also termed the First War of Independence.
Causes of the revolt
Political causes- many chiefs and landlords were unhappy with the exploitative land revenue policies of the British. They believe that the British had started taking the privilege of their powers and started exploiting them financially and physically. Based on subsidiary alliance and the doctrine of lapse, the British took rule over the territories of many Indian rulers. They also discontinued the pension and titles of many, as a consequence of our policy. They destroyed several native rulers like Nana Sahib and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. Based on misgovernance, they took away the rule of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh.
Social and religious causes- the reforms introduced by the British government were against the orthodox Indians. Governor general lord William Bentinck declared sati an illegal practice in 1829 to improve the condition of women. They also introduced the law regarding widow remarriage, women were even encouraged to take up Western learning. The British practice the policy of racial discrimination against the Indians. Indian people were given some ordinary positions in all the services. Besides, Indians could not travel in the first-class coaches in a train; all these and the justice cost the anger among the people. The British government supported Christian missionaries in India. They were involved in converting the people, and this was made easier after passing the legislation in 1850. The British imposed a tax on the land belonging to temples and mosques, which hurt the religious beliefs of the people. The British promoted western education and replaced English as the official language as a result, many Muslims and Hindus lost their jobs.
Economic causes- the economic policies of the British were not in favour of the Indians. The land revenue policies introduced by the British made the life of poor peasants tough. Peasants were trapped in the laws of money lenders and often lost their land. A new Class to the place of old zamindars. Machine-made goods from Britain were cheaper, due to which the Indian artists and craftsmen suffered. British goods were not taxed in India while Indian goods were heavily taxed in the British market, so the traditional Indian industry of handicrafts was ruined.
Military causes- the Indian sepoys were not satisfied with the policies of the British. The sepoys were unhappy because their salaries were low in comparison to those of the British soldiers, and they did not get equal opportunities of promotions. In 1856, the company passed the General Service Enlistment Act, according to which every new you had to serve overseas. The sepoys were very upset as crossing the sea was a violation of their religious sentiments. Moreover, soldiers were one and happy with what was happening in the countryside. Their families lost their traditional lands to the exploitative taxation policies.
Immediate causes- the whole country was resisting against the harsh, exploitative British policies, and only a small Spark was required to ignite the situation. The British provided the spark in the form of Enfield rifles. This new rifle was introduced in the army in 1856. The IPS cadre just had a great paper around it. To load the rifle, as I had to buy the paper. The Greece and paper was rumoured to be coated with the fat of cows and pigs. This was against the belief of both Hindus and Muslims. District news spread like a forest fire. Letters for exchange among the sepoys. The sepoys discard the use of Enfield rifles.
Mangal Pande soldier, attacked his superiors in Barrackpore on 29 March 1857. He was arrested and executed, but this incident conveyed the message that sepoys were prepared to fight against the British.
Consequences of the revolt
Outbreak of the revolt at Meerut- Mangal Pande’s execution caused a lot of understanding in the army camps across India, and 85 soldiers of the 3rd Bengal light refused to touch the cartridges. On 9 May 1857, they were sentenced to ten years of imprisonment. This made the sepoys angry, at Meerut angry, who marched to the jail on 10th May 1857. The attack on the British officers, release the imprisoned soldier, and set fire to British property.
March to Delhi- On 11th May 1857, sepoys from Meerut marched towards the Red Fort. Once they reach Delhi, the local sepoys join them. Decorated the European officers stationed there and proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar as the emperor of Hindustan. So, the people of neighbouring areas rose in rebellion against the British. The sepoys as well as the Indian chief proclaim their loyalty to the Mughal Empire. Thursday, Delhi became the centre of the revolt.
Spread of revolt – the uprising soon spread to the other parts of India. Masses started believing that the British Raj had come to an end. Northern India witnessed a huge uprising when Bengal, Punjab, Deccan, and the South witnessed weird incidents. At several places, European officers were killed. The revolt was supported by civilians, dispossessed nobles, and landlords. In the hope of recovering their lost territories, princes joined the revolt.
– Written By Aruja
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