what were the political and economic causes of the revolt of 1857?
Answers
Annexation of Indian States by Doctrine of Lapse Policy .
Annexation of Awadh on the charge of Mis-Governance .
Disrespectful behaviour of English towards the Mughal Emperor as he was told to relinquish the Red Fort and also they said from now on his successor will not accept the regal title i.e Emperor of India.
Pensions of Certain rulers like Nana Saheb was Stopped .
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.
3. Social Cause:-
The British believed that Indian society had to be reformed laws were passed to stop the practice of sati and encourage the remarriage of widows. English language and education was actively promoted.
After 1830, the company allowed Christian missionaries to function freely in its domain and even own land and property.
In 1850, a new law was passed to make conversion to Christianity easier. Many Indian began feeling that the British were destroying their religion, their social customs and their traditional way of life.
4. Military Cause:-
The Indian sepoys in the employ of the company also had reason for discontent as their pay, allowances and conditions of service.
They also didnt get enough promotional avenues and overseas allowances.
5. Immediate Cause
New cartridges were being coated with the fat of cows and pigs which the Indian thought was destroying their traditional culture.