Causes of the Revolt of 1857
- Racial Discrimination: The British East India Company treated Indians as inferior and discriminated against them on the basis of race.
- Religious Discontent: The British policies of interference in religious matters, like the annexation of Oudh and Jhansi, hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
- Economic Exploitation: The heavy land revenue, high taxes, and economic policies favoring the British led to widespread discontent among the Indian population.
- Social Reforms: The British attempted to introduce social reforms that were against the traditional beliefs and practices of the Indians, leading to opposition.
- Military Grievances: The Indian soldiers in the East India Company's army were mistreated, had low wages, and were denied promotions, leading to discontent among them.
- Political Factors: The annexation of Indian states, the Doctrine of Lapse, and the policy of interference in the internal affairs of Indian states angered the Indian rulers and people.
- Disrespect for Indian Culture: The British showed disrespect towards Indian culture and traditions, which led to resentment among the Indian population.
- Sepoy Mutiny: The immediate cause of the revolt was the introduction of the Enfield rifle, greased with cow and pig fat, which hurt the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
These causes collectively fueled the discontent among the Indian population and eventually led to the widespread revolt of 1857 against British rule.