13.The Revolt of 1857 Flashcards
What were the economic causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The economic causes of the Revolt of 1857 include the East India Company’s disruptive colonial practices, heavy taxation on peasants, rural indebtedness, emergence of moneylenders as new landlords, hampering of Indian trade and commerce, decline of Indian textile exports, and discouragement of Indian handicrafts.
How did the East India Company’s colonial practices affect India’s economy?
The East India Company’s colonial practices shattered India’s conventional economic foundation. They imposed heavy taxation, disrupted trade, and favored British imports over Indian goods, leading to the decline of Indian industries and impoverishment of peasants.
What was the impact of rural indebtedness on the Revolt of 1857?
Peasants burdened with heavy taxes were forced to take loans from moneylenders at high interest rates. This led to evictions and the emergence of moneylenders as new landlords, contributing to grievances and discontent among the rural population.
How did British policies affect Indian trade and commerce?
The British levied hefty tariffs on Indian commodities while supporting the importation of British products into India. This intentional hindrance of Indian trade led to the collapse of Indian industries and the disappearance of Indian textile exports.
How did British policies impact Indian handicrafts and artisans?
British policies discouraged Indian handicrafts and emphasized British products, leading to the decline of Indian artisans and their traditional crafts. This further contributed to economic hardships and discontent among the affected population.
What was the state of Indian industry in the nineteenth century?
The nineteenth century witnessed the collapse of Indian industry, mainly due to British policies that favored British goods over Indian products and hindered Indian trade and commerce. This had a significant impact on the economic conditions of the Indian population.
What were the political causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The political causes of the Revolt of 1857 include the East India Company’s policies of ‘Effective Control,’ ‘Subsidiary Alliance,’ and ‘Doctrine of Lapse,’ which led to broken promises and loss of political prestige. Hindu princes were denied the right of succession, and the fall of rulers and aristocracy negatively affected cultural and religious sectors of Indian society.
What was the impact of the East India Company’s policies on political discontent?
The East India Company’s policies of aggrandizement and broken pledges resulted in contempt for the Company. The loss of political prestige and suspicion among ruling princes in India contributed to the growing discontent and resentment towards British rule.
How did the denial of the right of succession affect Hindu princes?
Several Hindu princes were denied the right of succession, which undermined their traditional authority and further fueled dissatisfaction with British rule. This act created grievances and resentment among the affected princes and their supporters.
What was the impact of the fall of rulers and the old aristocracy on Indian society?
The fall of rulers and the old aristocracy had a negative impact on sectors of Indian society that relied on cultural and religious pursuits for their livelihood. The disruption of traditional power structures and patronage systems affected the socio-cultural fabric of the society, leading to discontent and unrest.
How did the East India Company’s policies contribute to the political climate before the Revolt of 1857?
The East India Company’s policies, such as ‘Effective Control,’ ‘Subsidiary Alliance,’ and ‘Doctrine of Lapse,’ eroded trust and created a sense of betrayal among the ruling princes in India. This contributed to a politically charged atmosphere and a growing sentiment of opposition towards British rule.
What were the social-religious causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The social-religious causes of the Revolt of 1857 include the British administration’s racial attitude towards Indians, the spread of Western civilization challenging Indian practices, and perceived interference in Indian culture through socio-religious changes like the abolition of sati and support for widow-marriage.
How did the British administration’s attitude contribute to the discontent?
The British administration’s attitude towards the native Indian population had racial overtones and a superiority mentality. This created a sense of resentment and dissatisfaction among the Indian people, fueling their opposition to British rule.
What impact did initiatives for socio-religious change have on Indian society?
Initiatives for socio-religious change, such as the abolition of sati, support for widow-marriage, and women’s education, were viewed by a segment of the population as outsiders interfering in Indian culture. This generated fears and resistance, as people perceived their social and religious spheres being threatened.
How did government policies contribute to religious tensions?
Government policies, such as taxing mosque and temple lands and passing laws like the Religious Disabilities Act of 1856, caused religious tensions. These policies altered Hindu customs and were seen as an intrusion into Indian religious practices, further exacerbating the existing social-religious grievances.
How did Western education affect social-religious thought in India?
The introduction of Western education disturbed the social-religious thought of the Indian population. The influence of Western ideas and values challenged traditional beliefs and practices, leading to a clash between traditional Indian culture and the emerging Western influences.
What were the military and administrative causes of the Revolt of 1857?
The military and administrative causes of the Revolt of 1857 include conflicts between the religious views of Indian sepoys and their duties in the Company’s Army, restrictions on wearing caste and sectarian marks, rumors of chaplains’ proselytizing activities, the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856, dissatisfaction with pay and privileges, and the treatment of Indian sepoys as second-class citizens.
How did religious views contribute to the revolt?
The religious views of Indian sepoys clashed with their circumstances of duty. Restrictions on wearing caste and sectarian marks and rumors of chaplains’ proselytizing activities were seen as interference in their religious affairs. Crossing the seas for devout Hindus meant losing their caste, which further added to the religious discontent.
What was the impact of the General Service Enlistment Act?
The General Service Enlistment Act of 1856 required future recruits to the Bengal Army to promise to serve wherever the government wanted their services. This restricted their choice of deployment and generated discontent among the sepoys.
Why were sepoys dissatisfied with their pay and treatment?
Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, which was lower than that of their British counterparts. They were treated as second-class citizens, facing ethnic discrimination and limitations on advancement and privileges. This unequal treatment created grievances among the sepoys.
