How did the character & policies of
colonial rule in India led to the revolt of
1857?
please tell this as I have to add this in a PPT. I will mark the best answer. please don't copy paste small paragraphs. you can click pictures though.
Answers
Answer:
Political policies: The nature of colonial expansion through annexation became a major source of discontent among the Indian rulers. Their policy of annexation called Doctrine of Lapse led to a number of independent kingdoms being annexed to the British Empire.
The revolt of 1857 started on 10th May when the Company’s Indian soldiers at Meerut rebelled. Called the Sepoy Mutiny by the British, it is now recognized as the First War of Independence against the British rulers.
This rebellion was a major anti-colonial movement against the aggressive imperialist policies of the British. In fact, it was an economic, political and social struggle against the British rule.
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Oppressive character and policies of Colonial rule in India:
Political policies: The nature of colonial expansion through annexation became a major source of discontent among the Indian rulers.
Their policy of annexation called Doctrine of Lapse led to a number of independent kingdoms being annexed to the British Empire. These were states that were enjoying British protection but their rulers had died without leaving a natural heir to the throne. In this manner Lord Dalhousie annexed the Maratha States of Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi and several other minor kingdoms.
This interference by the East India Company was disliked by many Indian rulers.
The policy of annexation also affected soldiers, crafts people and even the nobles.
Even the traditional scholarly and priestly classes lost the patronage which they were getting from these rulers.
Economic policies: It caused the disruption of the traditional Indian economy and its subordination to the British economy.
Indian economy now suffered under the British policies. Since they worked against the interests of Indian trade and industry, Indian handicrafts completely collapsed.
The British sold cheap, machine made clothes in India which destroyed the Indian cottage industry. It also left millions of craftsmen unemployed.