The sepoy mutiny of 1857 started when the Indian soldiers in the Bengal army decided to revolt against the British officers. This spread over a larger part of modern northern India resulting in the end of the British East India Company in 1859. The main cause advanced for the mutiny was that their religious beliefs were compromised.
The rebellion started on the tenth of May at a place known as Meerut somewhere near Delhi. The rebels started by reinstating the ageing emperor, Bahadur shah to the throne. Various cities were captured by them including Delhi which was later taken back by the British. Even so, they had already realized that they were capable of fighting them
There are a lot of things that also contributed towards this uprising. However, not all these were felt at once. When brought together, all those reasons made them feel that it was becoming too much on them. And this is what made them decide to go up in arms. As part of the political reasons for their revolt was the introduction of the doctrine of lapse. This gave the British authority to extend imperial rule over the princes. They managed this by disallowing those who were not born heirs to have any inheritance. The same was applied to the pensions that they were to get and on the tittles.
Besides all this, the Indians were never allowed to occupy high military or even civil offices. And when the doctrine of lapse was implemented, they powers that the princes had were significantly reduced, this resulted in them having no role to play. They therefore had no reason to be present which was not favored by the people.
On the economic part the agrarian policy created a lot of distress. There were sales laws that were imposed on them which resulted in the dispossession of most of them. The land rates they were to pay were very high resulting in most finding it difficult to pay resulting in their eviction. With the British dealing in various products, importing and exporting them the local economy was disrupted.
There were also some major concerns by the local leaders who feared for their social and religious well being. Christian missionaries were allowed to come in without any restrictions whatsoever. This was something that they felt would threaten their beliefs. They knew that most of people would end up being converted.
Geographically, some policies were felt in most parts in the north including Oudh and some other north western provinces. There were certain technological improvements such as the construction of canals and even railways, these sometimes forced the constructors to demolish temples and even trespass sacred ground. These, the locals found to offend them.
Other causes that made a contribution towards the sepoy mutiny of 1857 had something to do with the ration of soldiers. The Indians were outnumbered six to one. Constant subjection to abuse, poor pay and unfavorable conditions made the situation worse.
The rebellion started on the tenth of May at a place known as Meerut somewhere near Delhi. The rebels started by reinstating the ageing emperor, Bahadur shah to the throne. Various cities were captured by them including Delhi which was later taken back by the British. Even so, they had already realized that they were capable of fighting them
There are a lot of things that also contributed towards this uprising. However, not all these were felt at once. When brought together, all those reasons made them feel that it was becoming too much on them. And this is what made them decide to go up in arms. As part of the political reasons for their revolt was the introduction of the doctrine of lapse. This gave the British authority to extend imperial rule over the princes. They managed this by disallowing those who were not born heirs to have any inheritance. The same was applied to the pensions that they were to get and on the tittles.
Besides all this, the Indians were never allowed to occupy high military or even civil offices. And when the doctrine of lapse was implemented, they powers that the princes had were significantly reduced, this resulted in them having no role to play. They therefore had no reason to be present which was not favored by the people.
On the economic part the agrarian policy created a lot of distress. There were sales laws that were imposed on them which resulted in the dispossession of most of them. The land rates they were to pay were very high resulting in most finding it difficult to pay resulting in their eviction. With the British dealing in various products, importing and exporting them the local economy was disrupted.
There were also some major concerns by the local leaders who feared for their social and religious well being. Christian missionaries were allowed to come in without any restrictions whatsoever. This was something that they felt would threaten their beliefs. They knew that most of people would end up being converted.
Geographically, some policies were felt in most parts in the north including Oudh and some other north western provinces. There were certain technological improvements such as the construction of canals and even railways, these sometimes forced the constructors to demolish temples and even trespass sacred ground. These, the locals found to offend them.
Other causes that made a contribution towards the sepoy mutiny of 1857 had something to do with the ration of soldiers. The Indians were outnumbered six to one. Constant subjection to abuse, poor pay and unfavorable conditions made the situation worse.
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