How far do you agree that the Indian Rebellion occurred because of the nature of Company rule up until 1857?

Question 1

How far do you agree that the Indian Rebellion occurred because of the nature of Company rule up until 1857?

Answer 1

1. Nature of Company Rule
2. Changes to EIC army
3. Clash of cultures

Question 2

1. Nature of company rule-

Answer 2

1833 Charter Act - All commercial activity ended, tax collection/administration
Began to annex more provinces eg. Sindh + punjab - Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse
The transforming nature of the EIC (1813-33) laid the foundation for indian resentment
Political conflict between EIC and ruling Nawabs

However
The Nawabs were largely satisfied with EIC control - end of Indian Civil War, efficient tax collection + added wealth to ruling Indians

Question 3

2. Changes to EIC Army

Answer 3

Sepoys from the higher castes
Annexation of Awadh (doctrine of lapse) - main recruitment ground of Bengal Army Sepoys
Awadh Sepoys resented the British for their attempts to change traditional orders
Vellore Mutiny 1806 Caused by change to British uniform standards of Sepoys

Only previous mutinty occured to cultural clashes- prohibited from wearing caste marks and earrings. soldiers to be clean-shaven and introduced new turbans made of animal skin.

Question 4

Clash of culture

Answer 4

Sati
Missionaries- Utilitarianism/ Evangelicalism
Education act 1835 disrupted the traditional caste system
General enlistment act (1856)
Rumours of animal fat cartridges - directly led to Meerut Mutiny (1857)