What
were the economic and
political causes behind
the struggle of 1857?
Answers
Answer:
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 had diverse political, economic, military, religious and social causes. An uprising in several sepoy companies of the Bengal army was sparked by the issue of new gunpowder cartridges for the Enfield rifle February, 1857. The cartridges were rumoured to have been made from cow and sow fat.
Answer:
The cause of the Revolt of 1857 are:-
1. Political Cause
Nawabs lose their power
Since the mid eighteenth century, nawabs and rajas had seen their authority and honour.
Residents had been stationed in many courts, the freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed forces disbanded, and their revenues and territories were taken away by stages.
Many ruling families tried to negotiate with the company to protect their interests.
Ex: - Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the company to recognize her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. Nana sahib, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, pleaded that he be given his fathers pension when he later died. However, the company, confident of its superiority and military power, turned down these please.
2. Economic Cause
In the countryside peasants and zamindars resented the high taxes and the rigid methods of revenue collection. Many failed to pay back their loans to the moneylenders and gradually lost the lands they had tilled for generations.
Some of the new rules, moreover, violated their religious sensibilities and beliefs.
Sepoys also reacted to what was happening in the countryside. Many of them were peasants and had families living in the villages. So the anger of the peasants quickly spread among the sepoys.
Hope it helps..