Question

why did Indian rulers oppose British during the revolt of 1857?

Answer 1

Indian rulers opposed the British because they didn't want an invader to rule their country. They wanted to rule them themselves.

Answer 2

The British government in India executed various policies that helped them to acquire the territories of the local rulers, for instance, the "Doctrine of Lapse" and the "policy of Annexation". By approving these policies the colonial government made attempts to merge various kingdoms of India. These harsh policies of the colonial government made the Indian rulers participate in the revolt of 1857. As a result, Rani Lakshmi Bai in Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow fought against the British government to defend their kingdoms from the occupation of the British.