1. The main causes of the 1857 revolt were the policy of annexation, the doctrine of Lapse, discrimination against Indians, and the economic and social policies of the British There are many reasons that led to the revolt of 1857. Major reasons for the revolt can be broadly classified into – Political, Social, Economic, Religious, Military, etc. The causes have been discussed in this article under respective sections.
1.1. Indian Mutiny, also called Sepoy Mutiny or First War of Independence, widespread but unsuccessful rebellion against British rule in India in 1857–59. Begun in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company, it spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow
2. Causes
2.1. Military Causes
2.1.1. High taxes imposed on peasants and zamindars
2.1.2. Zamindari lands were snatched away if the payment of loans wasn’t paid
2.1.3. Poor and rigid conditions of service
2.1.4. Some of the new rules violated their religious sensibilities and beliefs
2.2. Social Causes
2.2.1. Sati practice was abolished
2.2.2. Widow remarriage was encouraged
2.2.3. Christian missionaries were actively working in the quest of converting people into Christianity
2.2.4. Indians began to feel that the British were destroying their religion, custom, and practices
2.2.5. English language system was promoted
2.3. Political Causes
2.3.1. Nawabs lost their power
2.3.1.1. Their freedom eroded
2.3.1.2. Armed forced disbanded
2.3.1.3. Revenues and territories were taken away
2.3.1.4. Awadh, Jhansi, Satara, Udaipur, Nagpur were annexed
2.4. Immediate Causes
2.4.1. Introduction of "The Enfield Rifle" in 1856 to train the indian soldiers
2.4.2. Use of greased cartridges from the fat of cows and pigs
2.4.3. This hurt the religious sentiments of the Indian soldiers & they refused to use these cartridges
2.4.4. When the Indian soldiers were forced to use it, THE REVOLT STARTED
2.4.5. Mangal Pandey was hanged to death for attacking his officers in barrackpore
2.5. Administrative Causes
2.5.1. The sepoys were also unhappy about there pay and allowances
2.5.2. They were not given high positions
2.5.3. They were also coasted overseas and far off places which they did not like
2.6. Economic Causes
2.6.1. The British East India company looted and drained many important valuable resources from our country and as a result, the economic condition of our country became very poor.
3. Causes
3.1. Military Causes
3.1.1. High taxes imposed on peasants and zamindars
3.1.2. Zamindari lands were snatched away if the payment of loans wasn’t paid
3.1.3. Poor and rigid conditions of service
3.1.4. Some of the new rules violated their religious sensibilities and beliefs
3.2. Social Causes
3.2.1. Sati practice was abolished
3.2.2. Widow remarriage was encouraged
3.2.3. Christian missionaries were actively working in the quest of converting people into Christianity
3.2.4. Indians began to feel that the British were destroying their religion, custom, and practices
3.2.5. English language system was promoted
3.3. Political Causes
3.3.1. Nawabs lost their power
3.3.1.1. Their freedom eroded
3.3.1.2. Armed forced disbanded
3.3.1.3. Revenues and territories were taken away
3.3.1.4. Awadh, Jhansi, Satara, Udaipur, Nagpur were annexed
3.4. Administrative Causes
3.4.1. The sepoys were also unhappy about there pay and allowances
3.4.2. They were not given high positions
3.4.3. They were also coasted overseas and far off places which they did not like
3.5. Immediate Causes
3.5.1. Introduction of "The Enfield Rifle" in 1856 to train the indian soldiers
3.5.2. Use of greased cartridges from the fat of cows and pigs
3.5.3. This hurt the religious sentiments of the Indian soldiers & they refused to use these cartridges
3.5.4. When the Indian soldiers were forced to use it, THE REVOLT STARTED
3.5.5. Mangal Pandey was hanged to death for attacking his officers in barrackpore