Question

Answer the following question briefly:

In the context of the military causes of the Revolt of 1857. answer the following question:

Mention any three grievances that the sepoys had against their British masters.

Answer 1

The sepoys had numerous grievances against the British-masters:

1. The sepoys had helped the British to establish their empire in India but they were neither appreciated nor rewarded for their efforts. On the contrary, they were treated with great contempt by the British officers.
2. There was grave discrimination between the Indian sepoy and his British counterpart. A capable and dedicated sepoy could not rise above the post of a subedar.
3. In 1856, an Act was passed which made it compulsory for all new recruits to serve overseas if required. This hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because they believed that overseas travel would lead to a loss of caste. The sepoys interpreted the regulation as another attack on their caste and religion.
4. After the annexation of Awadh, the Nawab’s army was disbanded. The soldiers lost their means of livelihood and their bitterness against the British increased.
5. The Indian soldiers greatly outnumbered the British soldiers. In 1856, the number of sepoys in the British army was more than five times that of the British soldiers. This emboldened the sepoys to take up arms against their foreign masters.