Causes & Effects of the Revolt of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 was the first and largest revolt of the Indian people against the unjust rule of the British East India Company. The revolt officially began on 10 May 1857 as the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Although it first started in the army camp of Barrackpore in Bengal Presidency under the leadership of Mangal Pandey. The Mutiny of 1857 is also known as the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

Immediate Cause

The immediate cause of the Rebellion of 1857 was the introduction of the 'Enfield' rifle. During this time a rumor spread that the cartridges of this rifle were made from pig and cow fat. Pigs are forbidden among Muslims and Cows are sacred in Hinduism. As a result soldiers of both communities refused to use the cartridge. Rumors also spread that the British planned to destroy the religious beliefs of the Indian people.

However, this was not the only reason for this revolt. The revolt of 1857 took place due to several other reasons, viz., religious, political, economic and social reasons.

Causes of 1857 Revolt

The expansionist and imperialist policies of the British East India Company had negative impacts on all sections of society, including rulers, peasants, and traders. The revolt of 1857 was not solely triggered by one policy or event; instead, it arose from a combination of political, economic, administrative, and socio-religious factors. These causes are discussed briefly below:

1. Economic Causes

1. The peasants suffered under the land revenue policies of the British East India Company. It is facing heavy taxes and resorting to loans with high interest rates from moneylenders and traders.
2. Non-payment resulted in the confiscation of their lands, leaving them without a means of livelihood.
3. With the annexation of Indian states by the British, rulers could no longer support artisans and craftworkers, leading them to a state of misery.
4. The economic policies of the British East India Company had a devastating impact on Indian industries and handicrafts.
5. They imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, causing a decline in the export of cotton and silk, which eventually ceased by the mid-nineteenth century.

2. Administrative Causes

The administration of the British East India Company needed more efficiency and effectiveness. Even though Sir Thomas Munro proposed the employment of Indians, no action was taken by the British in that regard. Corruption was widespread within the company's administration.

3. Political Causes

Doctrine of Lapse.

Political Causes of the Revolt of 1857In the late 1840s, Lord Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of Lapse.The Doctrine of Lapse policy, introduced by the British East India Company, denied the adopted children of rulers their right to succession, causing resentment among rulers like Nana Sahib and Rani Lakshmibai.

The British refused to grant pension to Nana Sahib as he was the adapted son of Peshawar bajirao II. This act of British turned nanasaheb into a strong enemy of the British.

In 1849, Laut Dalhousie announced that after Bahadur Shah, his successor would not be permitted to use the Red Fort has their palace rather they were required to shift to a meagre place near Qutub Minar. In 1856, lord canning announce that Bahadur Shah successors will not be allowed to use the imperial titles with their names. This enraged the Muslims. Consequently, a section of population considering Bahadur Shah as their leader begin plotting against the British.

The annexation of Oudh, underground of mail administration and miss governance followed by disbanding of its army, edit to the resentment against the British.

Subsidiary alliance

The British also enforced aggressive policies like Subsidiary alliance and effective control, intervening in the internal affairs of states, which further fueled discontent among rulers.

Following the death of Mughal ruler Faqir-ud-Din, Lord Canning proclaimed that the succeeding prince must renounce regal titles and ancestral properties of the Mughal empire, which deeply affected the sentiments of Indian Muslims.

4. Socio-Religious Causes

The social and religious causes of the revolt were: 

1. The British government's attempts to interfere in the social and religious life of the Indians led to wide spread fear among the messes.
2. The work of missionaries who were spreading Western Education and Christianity upset the messes.
3. The combined effect of the British expansionist policy, economic exploitation and administrative change adversely affected the Indian society as a whole.
4. The introduction of the railways and telegraph, and 
5. The British social reforms : Abolition of Sati (1829), Legislation of Widow Remarriage (1856) and so on, deeply hurt the sentiments of the orthodox and conservative people.
6. The British looked down on the Indian and laughed at their customs. At all times, they cat distance from the Indians and treated them with indignity. On this caused a great hearted in the mind of the Indians.
7. Even the positive works of the British, like the introduction of the railway, was misinterpreted by the Indians. The orthodox Indians felt humiliated to not that in the railway compartments, brahmins and people from backward classes were made to sit side by side.
8. Tax were imposed on temples and mosques.
9. The importance of traditional education institution like gurukuls and Madras watch reduce due to the establishment of the English school. Thus, Indians felt hurt.

5. The military causes

The military causes of the revolt were:

1. The low pay of Indian sepoys : The Indian and the British soldiers were not treated equally. The salary of the Indian soldiers wes too meagre to support their families, while the duties of both the British and the Indian soldiers were more or less similar.
2. The Indian soldiers could rise only up to the position of subedar.
3. As per the British parliamentary law of the General Service  Enlistment Act 1856, Indian soldiers could be sent overseas on duty. Indian soldiers considered sea voyages against the there religious belief and customs.
4. Numerical strength of the Indian soldiers was mass higher than the number of the European soldiers, which encouraged them to fight against the British.
5. Indians were of the belief that the British were invincible, but the British in the first Afghan war 1838-42. This made the Indian Soldier film that if the afghans could defect the British, why couldn't they.
6. The introduction of the Enfield rifle. 
7. These used cartridges that were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat.

These factors led to widespread discontent among the sepoys, who were the backbone of the British army in India.

Impact of 1857 Revolt

The result of the revolt of 1857 is listed below.

1. End of the East India Company's rule: The East India Company had ruled India for over a century. The Revolt of 1857 showed that it was no longer able to maintain control of the colony. The British government decided to abolish the company and take direct control of India.
2. Establishment of direct British rule: After the revolt, India was ruled directly by the British Crown. This meant that the British government had more control over the administration of India. They could make decisions without having to consult the East India Company.
3. Creation of the Indian Civil Service: The Indian Civil Service was created in 1858. This was to provide a cadre of British officials to administer India. The ICS was recruited through a competitive examination. It was trained in British law and administration.
4. Rise in nationalism among Indians: The Revolt of 1857 showed Indians that they could unite against the British and fight for their independence. This led to a rise in nationalism among Indians. It also led to the formation of new political organizations, such as the Indian National Congress.
5. Renewed interest in Indian culture and heritage: Many Indians began to look back to their past and take pride in their traditions. This led to a revival of Indian art, literature, and music.
6. Reorganization of the Army: The British army was reorganized to reduce the risk of another mutiny. The proportion of British soldiers in the Indian army was increased. Indian soldiers were no longer allowed to serve in groups from the same region.

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Also read more questions and answers for this chapter

1. Causes & Effects of the Revolt of 1857
2. Describe the result of the First War of Independence
3. What's factors led to Indian's the First War of Independence
4. Discontentment of Sepoys, Resentment of the native rulers, Unhappiness of the Indian artisans and craftsmen