Economic reforms + other <- Causes of WOI [14] Flashcards
1
Q
How did British economic policies contribute to the War of Independence in 1857?
A
- The British imposed heavy taxes on Indian peasants and small landowners, leading to widespread poverty and starvation.
- Warren Hastings introduced a system where tax collectors were auctioned off to the highest bidder, encouraging corruption.
- Tax collectors exploited locals to recover their payments, worsening economic hardship.
- Additionally, British industries in England benefited from Indian raw materials, but local artisans suffered.
- Hand-processed cotton industries were replaced by factory-made textiles from Britain, leaving millions jobless and starving.
2
Q
Why did Indians resist British social reforms?
A
- Many Indians saw British social reforms as interference in their traditions.
- The ban on the Hindu practice of Sati and the encouragement of widow remarriage were met with strong opposition.
- Muslims also resisted British policies, such as the discouragement of purdah and the introduction of co-education, which they viewed as a threat to their religious and social customs
3
Q
How did British infrastructure projects create suspicion among Indians?
A
- Although railways, roads, and telecommunication systems improved connectivity in India, many in the northwest saw them as military tools for British control.
- The British were suspected of using railways for the rapid movement of troops in case of a Russian invasion through Afghanistan.
4
Q
How did Westernization of education increase resentment against British rule?
A
- In 1834, English replaced Urdu and Hindi as the official language, which angered both Hindus and Muslims, who saw it as an attack on their cultural identity.
- Lord Macaulay’s remarks about Indian education being inferior further fueled resentment.
- The British showed little respect for Indian traditions, making the impression that they were destroying the local culture.
5
Q
Why did Christian missionary activities create unrest among Indians?
A
- Christian missionaries were active in public places like schools, markets, and parks, attempting to convert Indians to Christianity.
- Reports of forced conversions fueled fears that the British aimed to impose their religion and culture on Indians, creating widespread insecurity and resentment.
6
Q
How did British treatment of Indian soldiers contribute to the revolt?
A
- Indian sepoys faced discrimination in the British army.
- They were paid less than British soldiers and were denied promotions regardless of merit.
- When an ordinance required Indian troops to serve overseas, Hindus opposed it due to caste restrictions, and Muslims resisted fighting fellow Muslims, particularly in Afghanistan.
- This deepened their frustration with British rule
7
Q
How did British policies of annexation cause unrest?
A
- The Doctrine of Lapse, introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1852, allowed the British to annex any princely state without a male heir.
- This angered many rulers, including Nana Sahib and Rani of Jhansi, whose states were unjustly taken despite having adopted heirs.
- The British also displaced the Mughal royal family from the Red Fort, which further alienated Indian nobility and fueled rebellion.
8
Q
What was the immediate trigger of the War of Independence in 1857?
A
- In early 1857, new Enfield rifle cartridges were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat.
- Since soldiers had to bite the cartridges open, Hindus, who revered cows, and Muslims, for whom pigs were haram, refused to use them.
- Mangal Pandey, an Indian sepoy, was the first to resist in March 1857. His act of defiance inspired others, and the revolt quickly spread across India.
9
Q
Why were economic reforms the main cause of the War of Independence in 1857?
A
- It seems the economic reforms became the main reason of the 1857 war due to rising poverty, unemployment, hunger and starvation, the Indians felt themselves being pushed to the wall.
- The cumulative anger caused a collective though desperate uprising against the British.
