Question

Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the following:
Briefly explain the immediate cause of the Great Revolt.

Answer 1

• The general service enlistment Act of 1856 of the time of Lord Canning was the immediate cause of discontentment as it stipulated that every sepoy must be ready to serve anywhere in India or abroad. Moreover, the suspicion that the greased cartridge which was used in Enfield rifles was filled with the fat of cow and pig made the sepoys to openly rebel by killing a British officer.

• This was not the only rumour that was there in north India. There was a rumour that British government in order to destroy the religion and caste of Hindus and Muslims had mixed in bone dust of cows and pigs in the flour that was sold in the market.

• Moreover under the Doctrine of lapse, adoption was made illegal and many Kingdoms like Jhansi and Awadh had to surrender territories or they were forcefully taken from them.

All these factors had cumulative impact on the people of North India and this led to the first war of Independence.