Question

The reasons that led to the first revolt in 1857 were:

• A. The British were insensitive towards social and religious customs of Indians.
• B. The British considered themselves to be superior to the Indians.
• C. The British took away the territories that did not have a natural heir.
• D. The British fought other European powers in the subcontinent.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The British took away the territories that did not have a natural heir.

The Company's policies of expansion and insensitivity to Indian cultural sentiments were the main reasons for the revolt in 1857. New territories were annexed because the British thought that Indians were corrupt and inept. When the king did not have an heir to the throne, an adopted son could not be the heir., due to the Doctrine of Lapse, devised by Lord Dalhousie. It ruled that a king's territory was to ‘lapse’ and pass onto British upon his death.