Question.
The Revolt of 1857 was the cumulative effect of expansionist policies, economic exploitation, and the faulty administrative character of colonial rule in India.
Answer.
The following are the causes of the Revolt of 1857:
Political Expansionist Policies:
- The greedy policies of the British such as the policy of effective control, subsidiary alliances, and doctrine of lapse created doubts in the minds of the princely states.
Economic exploitation;
- The promotion of British goods caused the plight of artisans and handicrafts.
- The pressure on agriculture was increased by the ruin of Indian industry.
- Due to highly unpopular revenue policies and heavy taxation on agricultural land, the peasants had to take huge loans from moneylenders to pay for it.
Administrative reasons:
- Corruption was present at every level in the company.
Socio-religious reasons;
- The British had a superior attitude complex towards the natives.
- The Christian missionaries had a dubious role.
- There was also dissatisfaction among the people with socio-religious reforms like the abolition of Sati, widow remarriage, and women's education.
- Taxes were levied on mosque and temple land.
- Religious Disabilities Act 1856, which modified Hindu customs.
Discontent among the soldiers:
- Prohibition on wearing caste and communal marks.
- The sepoys were subject to the prejudices of the regime and religious beliefs.
- The soldier believed that the caste was lost on crossing the sea.
- Indian soldiers were paid unequal pay as compared to British soldiers.
- Foreign Service Allowance is not given to the constables while serving in Sindh and Punjab.
- The soldier had a misconception that the dust of bones was mixed in the flour of the canteen.
- According to the report, the grease from the cartridges of the newly introduced Enfield rifle was made from cow and pig fat which was against the religion of both Muslim and Hindu soldiers.
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