Question

Write a brief note on the political causes of the Revolt of 1857.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• List the policies and the affected states.
• Comment on pensions
• Mention stripping of titles

Solution:

• Indian rulers were brought under the annexation policies like Subsidiary Alliance by Lord Wellesley and Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie.
• States like Satara, Jaipur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Jhansi, Aawadh were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.
• Pensions of rulers who supported the British were withheld.
• Titles and kingships of rulers were stripped away by the British.
• The disrespect meted out to rulers like Bahadur Shah II hurt the sentiments of commoners.