Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the following:
Briefly explain the immediate cause of the Great Revolt.
Advertisements
Solution
Immediate Cause
The British had introduced a new ‘Enfield Rifle’ in the army. This rifle needed a cartridge which had a greased paper cover. This paper cover had to be bitten off before loading the cartridge into the rifle. Rumours spread that the greased paper was made of beef and pork. The soldiers felt that it was a move by the British to defame their religion. Mangal Pandey urged his fellow soldiers to not use the rifle. On 29 March 1857, he attacked his officers in Barrackpore. He was later hanged.
On 9 May 1857, eighty-five Indian soldiers who had refused to use the greased cartridge were dismissed from their services and were jailed for disobeying their officers. This marked the beginning of the Sepoy revolt in Meerut which later spread to other parts of northern India.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Which is called India’s first war of independence?
Name two famous Indian leaders of the revolt of 1857.
What was the General Service Enlistment Act?
The great rising of 1857 was an important event which produced far reaching results. Explain the Rise of Nationalism, with reference to the great uprising.
The great rising of 1857 was an important event which produced far reaching results. Explain the following with reference to the great uprising the changes introduced in the administrative set-up of the British territories in India.
State whether the following is true or false:
The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished after the Revolt.
Answer the following question in one or two words/sentences:
Why did the Rani of Jhansi become a staunch enemy of the British?
Answer the following question in one or two words/sentences:
What step was taken by the British to reorganize the army after the Revolt?
Answer the following question briefly:
In the context of the Revolt of 1857, answer the following question:
Mention any three economic factors that led to the outbreak of the Great Revolt.
Answer the following question:
How were the economic policies of the British responsible for the Revolt of 1857?
