How accurate is it to say that the Indian Rebellion Occurred because of the attack on Indian religion and customs by the British in the years leading up to 1857?

Question 1

How accurate is it to say that the Indian Rebellion Occurred because of the attack on Indian religion and customs by the British in the years leading up to 1857?

Answer 1

1. Long-term attacks on culture
2. Political and Administrative
3. Short Term attacks

Question 2

1. Long Term causes

Answer 2

Widespread belief British were aiming to concert India to Christianity
- Missionaries from 1813
- Sati 1829
- Education Act 1835- education orientated to the English language

However
-Not all unpopular: Thagi meant safer roads
_attacks since 1813 but no rebellion

Question 3

Poltical and administrative

Answer 3

Expansion of control under Dalhousie
-Doctrine of Lapse/ Paramountcy- intervene in affairs of native states, direct conflict w/ Hindu law
-Annexation of Awadh 1856: land taken away from landowners, attack on social order v destabilising

However Nawabs still loyal even after the rebellion 560

Question 4

3. Short term Attack on culture

Answer 4

general service Enlistment Act 1856- broke trandition that soldiers didnt travel over water as would pollute caste, feared act would expand
- Benal army traditionally from higher caste
Rumours of new cartridges being lubricated w/ animal fat

Unrest from this fueled when Rumours of new cartridges being lubricated with animal fat
Risked defilement, Prove plan of Christianisation- sparked simmering resentments

Following 85 Sepoys refusing to load new rifles 1857, 3 sepoy regiments rose in revolt