War Of Independance(1857)

Question 1

Religious And Social (Causes)

Answer 1

• Spread of British culture
• British influence(railways, English, telegraph, roads, education)
• Taxes on mosques, churches and temples
• Greased cartridge issue
• They tried to convert Indians
• The British were arrogant and considered themselves superior
• Local languages, and culture was undermined
• They banned social practices like Suttee, and parda.
• Missionary activates led to resentment

Question 2

Political (Causes)

Answer 2

• Doctrine of Lapse( land grabbers)
• Annexations of Sindh And Punjab
• Unfair Justice system
• Local having not share in administration
• Mistreatment Of Tye Emperor
• Lack of opportunity

Question 3

Economic (Causes)

Answer 3

• British machines led to unemployment
• Raw materials were exploited
• Heavy taxes
• Low salaries for sepoys
• Corrupt tax collectors

Question 4

Military (Causes)

Answer 4

• Sepoys were under paid
• All the higher ranks were reserved
• No retirement age
• Greased Cartridge Issue

Question 5

Greased Cartridge Issue

Answer 5

• Started by Mangal Panday, a sepoy
• New Anfield Riffle, needed to have its cartridge, which was covered in grease to keep the powder dry, ripped of with teeth.
• Cartridge was greased with pig and cow fat, which was unlawful for both religions.
• They didn’t cooperate, and that sparked a tussle.

Question 6

Other Events

Answer 6

• In Meerut, when sepoys defied their officers, they were court martialled & imprisoned, but were broken out by their fellow sepoys and killed their officers.
• Meerut was sacked
• Then they marched to and captured Delhi

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• In Kanpur, Nana Sahib captured a British force, for 3 weeks, after which he allowed them to leave only to open fire, killing most of the soldiers and 300 women & children massacred.
• The Survivors, 4 men and 100 women were also killed as soon as reinforcements arrived.
• Nana Sahib, escapes as the sepoys were tortured.

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• In Jhansi the Rani of Jhansi(Lakshmibai) assisted by Tatiya Topi, tried to fend of the British, but they were both killed.

Question 7

Reasons For Failure

Answer 7

• Lack of Coordination
• Lack of Unity, Discipline, Leadership
• No common goal or ambition
• Ill equipped Indians
• Superior British forces
• Different groups fighting for different reasons, Muslims wanted the the empire restored
• British Strengths( Well Equipped, Experienced Fighters)
• They were skilled diplomats, and knew the indian rulers, wanted to regain power and not unity in India. So they provoked them against each other.

Question 8

Aftermath

Answer 8

• EIC was abolished
• Muslims lost favour
• There was a lack of Islamic knowledge and trust, and education
• Hindus gained favour, as they adapted and accepted the British rule, and undertook their education.