Causes of the First War of Independence
Political Causes 1. British Policies of Expansion
i. Outright wars
ii. Subsidiary Alliance
iii. Doctrine of Lapse
iv. Pretext of Alleged Maladministration
2. Disrespect shown to Bahadur Shah
3. Annexation of Awadh
4. Treatment meted out to Nana Saheb and Rani Laxmi Bai
5. Absentee Sovereignty of the British
Socio- Religious Causes 1. Interference with social customs
2. Apprehensions about Modern Innovations
3. Policy of Racial discrimation
4. Corruption in Administration
5. Oppression of the Poor
6. Activities of the missionaries
7. Fears regarding Western education
8. Taxing religious places
9. Law of Property.
Economic Causes 1. Exploitation of Economic Resources
2. Drain of Wealth from India
3. Decay of cottage industries and handicrafts
4. Economic decline of the peasantry
5. Growing unemployment
6. Annexation of Rent-free land and other estates
7. Inhuman treatment of indigo cultivators
8. Poverty and famines.
Military Causes 1. II-treatment of Indian Soldiers
2. General Service Enlistment Act
3. Large proportion of Indians in the British Army
4. Bleak prospects of promotions to higher ranks
5. Deprivation of allowances to the Indian soldiers
6. Faulty distribution of troops
7. Poor performance of British troops
8. Lower salaries of the Indian soldiers
Immediate Cause The cartridges used in the newly introduced Enfield rifle were said to be greased with the fat of cows or pigs. The greased paper of the cartridges had be to bitten off with the teeth before loading them in the rifle. The use of these cartridges angered both the Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
The Result and Effects of the First War of Independence 1. End of the Company's Rule
2. Queen Victoria's Proclamation
3. End of the Mughals and Peshwas
4. Change in relations with Princely States
5. Policy of Divide and Rule
6. Racial antagonism
7. Foreign Policy
8. Religious changes
9. Changes in the Army
10. Increased racial bitterness
11. Economic exploitation
12. Rise of nationalism
Drawbacks of the First War of Independence
1. Lack of planning, organisation and leadership
2. Lack of common cause
3. Lack of participation of all sections of society
4. Lack of Resources
5. Lack of nationwide dimensions
6. Beginning of the movement before the fixed date.
Questions and answer Q1. Give the meaning of absentee sovereignty. Why was it resented by the Indians ? Ans : Absentee Sovereignty : It means that India was being ruled by the British government from England, at a distance of thousands of miles.
The India felt that India's wealth was being drained to England and not utilised for their welfare.
Q2. Mention any two consequences of the annexation of Awadh. And :- The people of Awadh had to pay higher land revenue and addtional taxes on food, houses, ferries and justice. Nawab of Awadh's army and administration thrw thousands of nobles, officials and soldiers out of jobs.