Modern History Notes: The Revolt of 1857

Political Causes

• The policy of Doctrine of Lapse

Economic Causes

• heavy taxation, evictions, Discriminatory Tariff Policy against Indian products and destruction of traditional handicrafts that hit peasants, artisans and small zimindars.

• Military Discrimination as Indian soldiers were paid low salaries, they could not rise above the rank of subedar and were racially insulted.
• Grievances of Sepays: The introduction of Enfield rifles, andits cartridge of which was greased with animal fat, provided the spark.
• British social reforms ( widow remarriage, abolition of sati, education for girls, Christan missionaries).

Cause of Failure

• The Nizam of Hyderabad, the Raja of Jodhpur, Scindia of Gwalior the Holkar of Indore, the rulers of Patiala, Sindh and Kashmir and the Rana of Nepal provided active support  to the British.
• Comparative lack of efficient leadership.

Impact of the Revolt

• The control of indian administration was passed on to the British Crown by the Government of India Act, 1858.
• Reorgansiation of the army.
• After the revolt, the British pursued the Policy of Divide and rule.