Question

Was the introduction of the Doctrine of lapse in 1852 the most important reason for the war of independence in 1857 Explain your answer

Answer 1

Answer:

The Doctrine of Lapse, under which any local kingdom not having a direct heir was to be

taken over by the British, had been introduced without any consultation or care for local

feeling. It caused great unrest. Other reforms had also been introduced similarly. The

replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in 1832 deeply upset

both the Muslims and Hindus who were concerned about the loss of their culture through a

change of language. A number of social reforms had been imposed without consultation or

care for local feeling which also caused unrest. Indians had to send their children to coeducational schools and were forced to abandon purdah, which again was seen as a threat

to their culture. The British introduced a new cartridge, which was coated in both cow and pig

fat. Because the soldiers had to chew the fat it caused great resentment since the Muslims

forbade pig fat and the cow was a sacred animal in the eyes of the Hindus

Explanation: