Question

‘In 1857 took place the major ‘Revolt’ which was a product of the character and policies of colonial rule after 1757.’ In light of the statement, highlight the various causes which led to the Revolt of 1857

Answer 1

Approach:

• Try to give a brief background of the atmosphere during or around 1857 or in very general highlight the major reasons which resulted in the revolt.
• In the main body, be very specific and highlight the causes of the revolt. Try to cover the reasons from different angles.
• In the conclusion try to highlight the significance of the revolt.

The cumulative effect of British expansionist policies, economic exploitation and administrative innovations over the years had adversely affected the positions of all—rulers of Indian states, sepoys, zamindars, peasants, traders, artisans, pundits, maulvis, etc. The simmering discontent burst in the form of a violent storm in 1857 which shook the British empire in India to its very foundations.

The Major Causes of The 1857 Revolt Economic Causes
The ruin of the Indian industry increased the pressure on agriculture and land, which could not support all the people; the lopsided development resulted in pauperisation of the country in general. This is why there was large scale participation from the peasants, landlords, artisans etc.

Political Causes
The East India Company’s greedy policy of aggrandisement accompanied by broken pledges and promises resulted in contempt for the Company and loss of political prestige, besides causing suspicion in the minds of almost all the ruling princes in India, through such policies as of ‘Effective Control’, ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ and ‘Doctrine of Lapse’

Administrative Causes
Rampant corruption in the Company’s administration, especially among the police, petty officials and lower law courts, was a major cause of discontent. Indeed, it is the view of many historians that the rampant corruption we see now in India is a legacy of the Company rule. Also, the character of British rule imparted a foreign and alien look to it in the eyes of Indians: a kind of absentee sovereignty

Socio-Religious Causes
British Governments attempts at socio- religious reform such as the abolition of sati, support to widow-marriage and women’s education were seen by a large section of the population as interference in the social and religious domains of Indian society by outsiders. The activities of the Christian Missionaries were also seen with suspicion by Indians.

Influence of Outside Events
The revolt of 1857 coincided with certain outside events in which the British suffered serious losses. This broke the myth of White supremacy and it was felt that Britishers could be defeated.

Discontent Among Sepoys
The conditions of service in the Company’s Army and cantonments increasingly came into conflict with the religious beliefs and prejudices of the sepoys. The Indian sepoys were equally unhappy with the discrimination in the army. The Indian sepoy was made to feel a subordinate at every step and was discriminated against racially and in matters of promotion and privileges. The other causes also had an impact on the sepoys as The sepoy, in fact, was a ‘peasant in uniform’

Immediate Cause
The reports about the mixing of bone dust in atta (flour) and the introduction of the Enfield rifle enhanced the sepoys’ growing disaffection with the government. The greased wrapping paper of the cartridge of the new rifle had to be bitten off before loading and the grease was reportedly made of beef and pig fat. The cow was sacred to the Hindus while the pig was taboo for the Muslims. The Army administration did nothing to allay these fears, and the sepoys felt their religion was in grave danger.

The revolt of the sepoys was accompanied by a rebellion of the civil population. Their accumulated grievances found immediate expression and they rose en masse to give vent to their opposition to British rule. Within a month of the capture of Delhi by the rebels, the revolt spread to different parts of the country.