History Notes
First War of Independence
1: First war of Independence
v Causes of first war of Independence 1857 [SIP ME]
Ø Socio Religious Causes : [Capital Of]
§ Corruption in Admistration
§ Apprehensions about modern innovation
§ Policy of Racial Discrimination
§ Interference with Social Customs
§ Taxing Religoius Places
§ Activities of Missionery
§ Law of Property
§ Oppression of the Poor
§ Fear Regarding Western Education
Ø Political Causes : [Adapt]
§ Absentee Sovereignty of British
§ Disrespect shown to Bahadur Shah Zafar
§ Policy of Expansion
o By Outright wars
o By Subsidiary Alliance
o By Doctrine of Lapse (According to Doctrine of Lapse heir adopted with the consent of the company could inherit only the private property of the deceased ruler and not his territory , which would come under the Company’s rule || victims:- Jhansi , Satara , Nagpur , Udaipur , Sambalpur).
o On pretext of Alleged misrule
§ Treatment given to Rani Laxmi Bai and Nana Saheb
Ø Military Causes : [DLF IPL BG]
§ Deprivation of Allowances
§ Lower Salaries
§ Faulty Distribution of Troops
§ Ill treatment
§ Poor Performance of British Troops
§ Larger Proportion of Indians in British Army
§ Bleak Prospects of Promotion
§ General Service Enlisment Act (1856)
Ø Economic Causes : [Deep Gi DD]
§ Decay of cottage Industries
§ Expolitation of Economic Resources
§ Economic Decline of Peasantry
§ Poverty and Famines
§ Growing Unemployment
§ Inhuman Treatment of Indigo Cultivators
§ Decline of Landed Aristocracy
§ Drain of Wealth
Ø Immediate Cause:
§ In 1856, British authorities decided to replace old fashioned musket with new Enfield Rifles. The loading process involed bringing the cartirage to mouth and biting off the top greased paper.
§ There was a rumour that the grease is made of the fat of ‘cows’ and ‘pigs’. Cows were sacred for Hindus and Pigs were taboo for Muslims. They though it is a desperate attempt of British to defy their caste and religion
§ Mangal Panday was a Bhramin sepoy in British Army. He led an attack to 34th Infantary at Barrackpore.
v Consequences of First War of Independence
Ø Political and Administrative effects
· End of Company Rule
· End of Mughals and Peshwas
· Policy of Divide and Rule
· Increased Racial Bitterness
· Changes in Army
· Policy of non-interference in Religious affairs
· Economic Exploitation
· Rise of Nationalism
· Queen Victoria’s Proclamation
o Non-intervention in social and religious matters
o Treat Indians and Europeans as equals
o Grant general pardon to those who took part in War except those guilt of murder.
o Promote work of Public utility in India