explain the cause of the Revolt 1857
Answers
The sepoys, a generic term was used for native Indian soldiers of the Bengal army. The spark that led to a mutiny in several sepoy companies was the issue of new gunpowder cartridges for the Enfield rifle in February, 1857. A rumour was spread that the cartridges were made from cow and pig fat. Loading the Enfield required tearing open the greased cartridge with one's teeth. This would have insulted both Hindu and Muslim religious practices; cows were considered holy by Hindus while pigs were considered unclean by Muslims. Underlying grievances over British taxation and recent land annexations by the BEIC were ignited by the sepoy mutineers and within weeks dozens of units of the Indian army joined peasant armies in widespread rebellion. The old aristocracy, both Muslim and Hindu, who were seeing their power steadily eroded by the East India Company, also rebelled against British rule. Another important discontent among the Indian rulers was that the british policies of conquest had created unrest among many indian rulers. The policies like the doctrine of lapse, Subsidiary Alliance deprived Indian rulers of their power and status.
Answer:
contribution of Newspapers:
1] Newspapers and magazines are the readily available means of communication. In 1800 AD, printing press was started at Rampur near Kolkata which gave impetus to publication of newspapers.
2] In 1774 AD, the rst newspaper India Gazette and in 1780 AD, Bengal Gazette were published. In view of spread of feeling of nationalism Raja Ram Mohan Roy published ‘Samvad Kaumudi’ and Miratul newspaper.
3] In 1826 AD, the rst Hindi newspaper ‘Uddant Martand’ was started and published. In these newspapers, exploitation policies of colonialism of East India Company were openly criticised.
4] Through newspapers, thinking of Indian social reformers and political thinkers reached to people.
5] Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar published ‘Som Prakash’ and Harish Chandra Mukherjee published ‘Hindu Patriot’. In 1868 AD, Amrit Bazar Magazine’ was published. Tilak published ‘Kesri’ in Marathi and ‘Martha’ in English. These newspapers built an atmosphere of sacrice and nationalism in India