Question

Numerous causes were at work in causing the Great Upsurge of 1857. Explain the following with reference to the above statement.
(a) The introduction of Railways and Telegraphs
(b) The introduction of Enfield Rifles
(c) The laws that inherited with the religious customs of the people.

Answer 1

(a) The introduction of Railways and Telegraphs- The introduction of modern innovation such as railways and telegraphs was misunderstood by the people. There were rumours that the telegraph poles were erected to hang people who were against the British rule. Similarly, the orthodox Indians noted that in the railway compartments the higher castes and the lower castes were made to sit side by side. They believed that the British had introduced such practices to defy their caste and religion.

(b) The introduction of Enfield Rifles- In 1856, the British decided to replace the old-fashioned musket, by the new Enfield Rifles. The loading process of the Enfield rifles involved bringing the cartridge to the mouth and biting off the top greased paper with the mouth.

(c) The laws that inherited with the religious customs of the people.- Religious sentiments of the Indians were hurt by the official policy of taxing lands belonging to temples and mosques. Such lands had been exempted from taxation by previous Indians rulers. The families dependent on these lands, began to propagate that the British were trying to undermine the religions of India.