Page 52 - SST Class 08

tant. In fact, the multiple causes, i.e., social- payment of extra Bhatta (allowance). An
religious-political-economic worked together to important cause of Military discontent was
produce the rebellion. the General Service Enlistment Act 1856,

1. Social and Religious Causes which made it compulsory for the sepoys to
The British had abandoned its policy of cross the seas, whenever required. The Post
Office Act of 1854 withdrew the free post-
non-interference in the socio-religious life of
age facility for them.
the Indians. Abolition of Sati (1829), Hindu
Widow Remarriage Act (1856). Christian 4. Political Causes
missionaries were allowed to enter India The last major extension of the British
and carry on with their mission of proselytis- Indian territory took place during the time
ing. The Religious Disabilities Act of 1850 of Dalhousie. Dalhousie announced in
modified the traditional Hindu law. 1849, that the successor of Bahadur Shah II
According to it, the change in religion would would have to leave the Red Fort. The
not debar a son from inheriting the property annexation of
of his heathen father. Baghat and Udaipur
2. Economic Causes were however
British rule led to breakdown of the village cancelled and they
self-sufficiency, commercialisation of agricul- were restored to their
ture which burdened the peasantry, adop- ruling houses. When
tion of free trade imperialism from 1800, Dalhousie wanted to
apply the Doctrine of
de-industrialisation and drain of wealth all
Lapse to Karauli
of which led to overall decline of economy.
(Rajputana), he was
3. Military Grievances
overruled by the
The extension of British dominion in India
court of Directors. Lord Dalhousie
had adversely affected the service condition
of the Sepoys. They were required to serve
in area away from their homes without the

Different Leaders Associated with the Revolt of 1857

Barrackpore Mangal Pandey

Delhi Bahadur Shah II, General Bakht Khan
Delhi Hakim Ahsanullah (Chief advisor to Bahadur Shah II)
Lucknow Begum Hazrat Mahal, Birjis Qadir, Ahmadullah (advisor of the ex-Nawab of Awadh)

Kanpur Nana Sahib, Rao Sahib (nephew of Nana), Tantia Tope, Azimullah Khan
(advisor of Nana Sahib)

Jhansi Rani Laxmibai
Bihar (Jagdishpur) Kunwar Singh, Amar Singh
Allahabad and Maulvi Liyakat Ali
Banaras

Social Science-8 52