Reasons For The Outbreak Of The Revolt Of 1857 C.E. In India

What are the reason for the outbreak of the revolt of 1857 C.E. in India?

        The main reasons for the revolt of 1857 C.E. was the widespread dissatisfaction among the people in India due to the suppressive policies of the British adopted to spread their empire in India. 

Social and religious reasons

        The Policy of Social Reforms by the Company made people feel insecure and suspicious. They felt that the government was trying to convert them to Christianity and destroy the Indian culture and religion forever. People believed that the Indian social system was deliberately undermined in the railways, jails and military. A larger section of our society was orthodox at that time and thus, the new changes arouse dissatisfaction in them. As a result, many people joined this freedom movement to sustain their socio-religious structure.

Economic reasons

        The aim of the British was to bring prosperity to England at the cost of India. As a result, most of the sections of Indian society became impoverished. The landlords and peasants, having lost their lands participated in the revolt.

Political reasons

        The East India Company acquired the Diwani Rights (right to collect revenue) as a result of their victory in the Battle of Buxar in 1764 C.E. This was followed by an aggressive policy of expansion with the help of Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, policy of Annexation and more diplomacy. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Raja Kunwarsingh of Bihar, who were among the few of the victims of these policies, joined the revolt to regain their territories. Landlords and peasants who had lost their lands too joined the revolt.

Military reasons

        The number of British officers and soldiers was very less in a vast country like India. The ratio of the Indian soldiers to the British soldiers was approximately 6:1 in the military. The higher  posts in the military were reserved for the British. The opportunity of promotion was very limited for the Indian soldiers. There was a big difference between the salary of an Indian soldier and a British soldiers.

        The Indian foot-soldiers received 7 rupees while the British soldiers received 150 rupees per month. The British soldiers considered the Indian soldiers to be low and insignificant. As per the religious restrictions, the Indian soldiers were not allowed to cross the sea or else the person would be treated as an outcast. Despite this custom, the Indian soldiers were compelled to cross the sea in order to fight battles for the British. Thus, like other Indians, the soldiers too felt that their religion was at stake. The soldiers, being a part of the Indian society, shared the same sentiments of grief, suspicion and anger as others did.

The Immediate reasons

        There were various reasons for the rising anger and discontentment among the people towards the British rule. In January 1857, a new rifle 'En-field Rifle' was introduced in the Indian army. The cartridge of this rifle had to be bitten off before being used. This cartridge was greased with the fat of cow and pig. For the Hindus the beef and for the Muslims the pork was prohibited by their religion. Hence, they felt that the British were deliberately trying to desanctify their religion. The response to their complaints in the same regards was not satisfactory. Hence, the 19th Battalion of Barrackpore was the first to refuse the use of the cartridge. As a result, the entire battalion was disbanded.