Question

What were the causes of discontent among the ruling families

Answer 1

The real power was in the hands of the British residents. The ruling families can not take any major step without the permission of the Residents.
A new rule was also implemented called the Doctrine of Lapse, under which native kingdom can be annexed if the king do not have a son as a heir. It was against the Indian Traditions to adopt a male heir, this too caused the discontent among the ruling families. 

Answer 2

Answer:

The main causes of discontent among the ruling families were:

1. the British policies such as a subsidiary alliance doctrine of lapse angered many Indian rulers and cheifs as the lost their power and honour.

2. The court proceedings were monitored by the residents due to which the freedom of the rulers was disturbed.

3. The British did not accepted the claim of adopted son of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi as the heir to the kingdom.

4. The British refused to continue the pension of ex Peshwa Bajirao II to his adopted son Nana Sahib.

5. In 1856, lord Dalhousie annexed the kingdom of awadh and declare that British rule was needed for proper administration.

6. in 1856 governor-general lord canning announced that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal ruler and after is death his descendants would no longer be recognise as kings; instead they would just be called princes.

7. And finally, all the powers of the kings and Nawabs were taken over by the Company, which led them to oppose the British.

These were some of causes of discontent among the ruling families...