WOI happen [7]

Question 1

How did political reasons contribute to the War of Independence?

Answer 1

• The War of Independence had several political causes, including the implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse by Lord Dalhousie in 1852.
• This policy enraged Indians as their lands were taken away if no natural heir was present.
• The British seized Sitara, Nagpur, and Jhansi under this doctrine.
• The final blow came in 1856 when Oudh was taken, even though a legal heir was present, under the pretext of bad governance.
• This convinced Indians that the British were greedy land grabbers.
• Additionally, the replacement of Persian with English as the official language in 1834 caused resentment.
• Another major issue was the disrespect shown to the Mughal Royal Family when they were shifted from the Red Fort to Qutub Sahib, which was seen as a humiliation and led to growing tensions that contributed to the war.

Question 2

How did social and religious factors contribute to the War of Independence?

Answer 2

• The British believed in the superiority of their culture and saw it as their duty to spread it in India.
• This led to the establishment of missionary schools, which threatened Indians as conversions to Christianity increased.
• Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs all felt that their religious beliefs were under attack.
• The rapid changes introduced by the British, such as railways and the telecommunication, were seen as too fast and disruptive for the traditional Indian society to accept.
• Additionally, the British treated Indians as inferior and third-rate citizens, displaying arrogance and racial discrimination.
• This growing resentment over cultural, religious, and social imposition contributed significantly to the great rebellion.

Question 3

What were the economic reasons behind the War of Independence?

Answer 3

• Economic hardships played a crucial role in the War of Independence.
• High taxation placed a heavy burden on the poor local population, while British officials and traders accumulated huge profits from Indian resources.
• This created a stark difference in the lifestyles of the British and the Indians, fueling resentment.
• Additionally, corrupt tax collectors exploited the locals by collecting taxes for their gain.
• This economic disparity and exploitation made Indians feel oppressed and pushed them towards rebellion.

Question 4

How did military reasons contribute to the outbreak of the War of Independence?

Answer 4

• Discontent in the military played a vital role in the outbreak of the war.
• Indian soldiers were reluctant to leave “Mother India” and were still haunted by their defeat in Afghanistan.
• Additionally, Hindu soldiers opposed traveling across water, as it was prohibited in their religion.
• The final trigger was the introduction of greased cartridges for the Enfield rifle.
• These cartridges were coated with fat to keep the gunpowder dry, and it was rumored that the fat came from cows and pigs.
• This was unacceptable to both Hindus, for whom cows were sacred, and Muslims, for whom pigs were haram.
• When Indian soldiers refused to use these cartridges, the British took strict actions, which ultimately led to open revolt.