1. THE FIRST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE [1857]
CAUSES OF THE REVOLT
CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVOLT

2. CAUSES OF THE REVOLT POLITICAL CAUSES SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS CAUSES
ECONOMIC CAUSES
MILITARY CAUSES
IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE REVOLT

3. POLITICAL CAUSES BRITISH POLICIES OF ANNEXATION
DISREPECT SHOWN TO THE MUGHAL EMPEROR
ANNEXATION OF AVADH / OUDH
TREATMENT TOWARDS NANA SAHEB
UNPOPULAR ADMINISTRATION
ROLE OF RUMOUR

4. BRITISH POLICIES OF ANNEXATION
DOCTRINE OF LAPSE & SUBSIDIARY ALLIANCE
DOCTRINE OF LAPSE INTRODUCED BY LORD DALHOUSIE
ACCORDING TO THE DOCTRINE, KINGDOMS OF NATIVE RULERS WITHOUT A BIOLOGICAL HEIR TO THE THRONE TO BE ANNEXED BY THE BRITISH
SUBSIDIARY ALLIANCE INTRODUCED BY LORD WELLESLEY
ACCORDING TO THIS POLICY NATIVE RULERS WERE FORCED TO KEEP A LARGE BRITISH FORCE IN THIR TERRITORIES TO SAVE THEM FROM EXTERNAL INVASION. THE BRITISH FORCE HAD TO BE MAINTAINED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NATIVE RULER.
A BRITISH OFFICIAL CALLED RESIDENT WAS PLACED AT THE COURT OF THE RULER AND HE WOULD REPORT ABOUT THE RULER TO THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.

5. DOCTRINE OF LAPSE
RANI LAXMI BAI OF JHANSI FOUGHT WITH THE BRITISH FOR THE ANNEXATION OF JHANSI BECAUSE HER ADOPTED SON WAS NOT ACCEPTED AS THE HEIR TO THE THRONE AFTER THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND

6. Disrepect shown to the Mughal emperor
THE LAST MUGHAL EMPEROR BAHADUR SHAH II WAS FORCWD TO LEAVE HIS RESIDENCE AT THE RED FORT AND DEPORTED TO RANGOON, BURMA, WHERE HE DIED. THIS GREATLY HURT THE SENTIMENTS OF THE PEOPLE AND THEY SHOWED THEIR ANGER THROUGH THE REVOLT.

7. ANNEXATION OF AVADH
WAJID ALI SHAH THE NAWAB OF AVADH WAS DEPOSED ON THE PRETEXT OF MISGOVERNMENT AS PER THE REPORT OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT.
AVADH WAS ANNEXED ON THE EXCUSE THAT IT WAS NOT BEING GOVERNED BY THE RULER IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER.
THIS CAUSED GREAT RESENTMENT AMONG THE INDIAN SOLDIERS IN THE BRITISH ARMY AS MOST OF THE SOLDIERS CAME FROM AVADH.
THE SOLDIERS FROM AVADH SHOWED THEIR ANGER TOWARDS THE BRITISH THROUGH THE REVOLT OF 1857 AS THEY LOVED THEIR RULER NAWAB WAJID ALI SHAH.

9. TREATMENT TOWARDS NANA SAHEB
NANA SAHEB WAS THE ADOPTED SON OF PESHWA BAJI RO II.
HE WAS TO BE PAID A CERTAIN AMOUNT AS PENSION BY THE BRITISH AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER AS ACCORDING TO THE DOCTRINE OF LAPSE HE COULD NOT BE THE NEXT RULER.
THE BRITISH THOUGHT IT A WASTE OF MONEY TO PAY NANA SAHEB THE PENSION ANY LONGER.
WHEN THE PENSION WAS STOPPED, NANA SAHEB BECAME ANGRY AND STARTED FORMING ALLIANCES WITH DIFFERENT DISGRUNTLED NATIVE RULERS TO FIGHT AGAINST THE BRITISH IN THE REVOLT OF 1857.

10. NANA SAHEB

11. UNPOPULAR ADMINISTRATION OF THE BRITISH
THEY DRAINED AWAY THE WEALTH OF INDIA
HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF INDIAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITION
THEY EXCLUDED INDIANS FROM HIGH POSTS RESERVED FOR THE BRITISH
INDIANS WERE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE BRITISH LAWS.

12. ROLE OF RUMOUR
THERE WAS WIDESPREAD RUMOUR THAT THE BRITISH RULE WOULD LAST IN INDIA ONLY FOR A HUNDRED YEARS. A HUNDRED YEARS AFTER – THE YEAR IN WHICH THE BATTLE OF PLASSEY WAS FOUGHT AND THE BRITISH RULE STARTED IN INDIA IN ACTUAL SENSE .

13. ECONOMIC CAUSES OF THE REVOLT
EXPLOITATION OF INDIA
RUIN OF HANDICRAFT INDUSTRIES
IMPOSITION OF HEAVY TAXATION
INAM COMMISSION AND CONFISCATION OF LAND
INDIA REDUCED TO AN AGRARIAN COLONY OF ENGLAND
INHUMAN TREATMENT TOWARDS INDIGO CULTIVATORS
LOSS OF JOBS
FAMINES

14. EXPLOITATION OF INDIA
THE BRITISH DRAINED AWAY ALL THE RESOURCES FROM INDIAN TERRITORIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR INDUSTRIES IN ENGLAND.

15. RUIN OF HANDICRAFT INDUSTRIES
INDIAN TEXTILE WAS VERY POPULAR IN ENGLAND. THIS CREATED INSECURITY AMONG THE BRITISH TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS. HENCE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT PROHIBITED THE USE OF INDIAN TEXTILES IN ENGLAND.
HEAVY IMPORT DUTIES WERE IMPOSED ON INDIAN TEXTILES BUT A NOMINAL IMPORT DUTY WAS IMPOSED ON THE BRITISH GOODS ENTERING INDIA.
INDIAN RULERS WERE GREAT PATRONS OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY. WHEN THESE RULERS NO LONGER HAD THE ADMINISTRATION IN THEIR HAND, THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY LOST THE PATRONAGE.

16. IMPOSITION OF HEAVY TAXATION
EXTRACTION OF MAXIMUM LAND REVENUE FROM THE PEASANTS.
NO MEASURES TO HELP OR RELAX TAXATION EVEN DURING TIMES OF FLOODS AND FAMINE.
PEASANTS WERE LEFT WITH NOTHING AND WERE FORCED TO BORROW MORE AND MORE FROM MONEY LENDERS.

17. INAM COMMISSION & CONFISCATION OF LAND
BRITISH APPOINTED INAM COMMISSION TO CONFISCATE THE PROPERTIES OF LANDLORDS WHO DID NOT HAVE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE THEY HAD RECEIVED THEIR LANDS AS AWARDS [INAM] OR AS ANCESTORAL PROPERTY.

18. INDIA REDUCED TO AN AGRARIAN COLONY OF ENGLAND
RAW MATERIALS WERE FORCED TO BE GROWN IN INDIAN TERRITORIES TO BE SENT TO THE BRITISH INDUSTRIES.

19. INHUMAN TREATMENT TOWARDS INDIGO CULTIVATORS
CULTIVATION OF INDIGO WAS FORCED IN BIHAR AND BENGAL. THE PEASANTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GROW ANYTHING BUT INDIGO. THE FREQUENT CULTIVATION OF INDIGO DESTROYED THE FERTILITY AND SOIL QUALITY.
EARLIER THE PEASANTS IN THESE PARTS OF BIHAR AND BENGAL USED TO GROW FOOD CROPS THAT HELPED THEM SURVIVE. NOW THEY WERE LEFT WITH NOTHING TO EAT FROM THEIR OWN FARMS.

20. LOSS OF JOBS
ANNEXATION OF KINGDOMS LED TO MANY SOLDIERS, ARTISANS AND CRAFTSMEN BEING LEFT WITH NO OF EMPLOYMENT.
INTRODUCTION OF WESTERN EDUCATION LED TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT OF PUNDITS WHO TAUGHT SANSKRIT AND MAULVIS WHO TAUGHT PERSIAN IN THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.

21. FAMINES
NO POLICY OF RELIEF MEASURES BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DURING FAMINES.
FOOD GRAINS WERE SOLD AT HIGH RATES DURING TIMES OF FAMINE TO ADD TO THE MISERY OF THE PEOPLE.
PEASANTS WERE FORCED TO DISPOSE OFF THEIR LAND AND CATTLE DUE TO INABILITY TO CONTINUE FARMING BECAUSE OF FREQUENT FAMINES.

22. SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS CAUSES
FEAR OF CONVERSION
LAWS PASSED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
INTRODUCTION OF RAILWAY & TELEGRAPH
SPREAD OF WESTERN EDUCATION

23. FEAR OF CONVERSION
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES USED EVERY MEANS TO CONVERT INDIANS TO CHRISTIANITY. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING WAYS –
RELEASING PRISONERS WHO ACCEPTED CHRISTIANITY.
ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WHERE STUDY OF THE BIBLE WAS MADE COMPULSORY.
LURED PEOPLE WITH JOBS AND HONOUR FOR ACCEPTING CHRISTIANITY.
SUCH ACTS CREATED PANIC AMONG ALL SECTIONS OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY.

24. LAWS PASSED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
LORD BENTINCK ABOLISHED SATI SYSTEM.
THE RELIGIOUS DISABILITIES ACT WAS INTRODUCED ACCORDING TO WHICH THE ANCESTORAL PROPERTY OF INDIANS COULD NOT BE DEPRIVED IF THE PERSON CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY.
LORD CANNING PASSED THE WIDOW RE-MARRIAGE ACT.
ALL THESE MEASURES WERE LOOKED UPON WITH SUSPICION AS INTERFERANCE IN INDIAN CUSTOMS.

25. INTRODUCTION OF RAILWAY AND TELEGRAPH
PEOPLE OF ALL CASTES HAD TO TRAVEL TOGETHER IN THE TRAIN COMPARTMENTS AND THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT OF THE BRITISH TO BREAK THE AGE OLD CASTE SYSTEM.
UNEDUCATED INDIANS BELIEVED THAT THE TELEGRAPH POLES WERE INTENDED TO BE USED BY THHE BRITISH TO HANG THE INDIANS WHO DISOBEYED. SOME EVEN BELIEVED THAT THE POLES WERE SET FOR BLACK MAGIC AS THEY COULD HELP THE BRITISH IN KNOWING ABOUT SEVERAL FACTS.

26. SPREAD OF EDUCATION
INRODUCTION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN WESTERN EDUCATION WAS LOOKED UPON BY THE PUNDITS AND MAULVIS AMONG OTHERS, AS AN ATTEMPT TO DESTROY INDIAN TRADITION AND WIPE OUT INDIAN LANGUAGES.

27. MILITARY CAUSES RELIGIOUS ISSUES AMONG INDIAN SOLDIERS
LOW SALARIES AND POOR PROSPECTS FOR INDIAN SOLDIERS
DISSATIFACTION REGARDING ALLOWANCE
ANNEXATION OF AVADH
DISPROPORTION BETWEEN INDIAN AND BRITISH TROOPS
DISCONTENT AMONG BENGAL ARMY
GENERAL SERVICES ENLISTMENT ACT
HUMILIATION OF INDIAN SOLDIERS BY THEIR ENGLISH COUNTERPARTS
LOSS IN THE AFGHAN WAR
UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE TROOPS

28. RELIGIOUS ISSUES AMONG INDIAN SOLDIERS
SIKH SOLDIERS WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ASKED TO REMOVE THEIR BEARD OR HAIR BUT LATER ON, ORDERS WERE PASSED FOR REMOVING THEM.
SOLDIERS WHO REFUSED TO REMOVE THEIR BEARDS WERE DISMISSED.
THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A MOVE TO DESTROY THEIR RELIGION.

29. LOW SALARIES AND POOR PROSPECTS FOR INDIAN SOLDIERS
VERY LOW MONTHLY SALARIES WERE PAID TO THE INDIAN SOLDIERS AND THEY FOUND IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE THEIR EXPENSES WITH IT.
ALL HIGH POSTS IN THE MILITARY WERE RESERVED FOR THE BRITISH.

30. DISSATISFACTION REGARDING ALLOWANCE
INDIAN SOLDIERS WERE NOT PAID ANY EXTRA ALLOWANCE OR REMUNERATION FOR FIGHTING IN DISTANT PLACES.
NO HONOUR OR REWARD WAS ASSIGNED TO THEM FOR SUCCESS IN THEIR BATTLES.

31. ANNEXATION OF AVADH
A BIG MAJORITY OF THE INDIAN SOLDIERS IN THE BRITISH ARMY BELONGED TO AVADH. THEY RESENTED THE WAY IN WHICH THEIR NAWAB WAS DETHRONED AND AVADH WAS ANNNEXED. THEIR RELATIVES IN AVADH WERE DEPRIVED OF PRIVILEGES GIVEN BY THE NAWAB.

32. DISPROPORTION BETWEEN BRITISH AND INDIAN TROOPS
INITIALLY THE BRITISH ARMY HAD A GREATER PROPORTION OF INDIAN SOLDIERS.
LATER ON MORE NUMBER OF BRITSH SOLDIERS WERE ADDED TO MAKE THE PROPORTION VERY PROMINENT WITH LESS NUMBER OF INDIAN SOLDIERS.
THIS DISPROPORTION ANGERED INDIANS.

33. DISCONTENT AMONG BENGAL ARMY ON THE GENERAL SERVICES ENLISTMENT ACT
MOST OF THE INDIAN SOLDIERS IN THE BENGAL ARMY WERE UPPER CASTE HINDUS. THEY REGARDED IT A SIN TO UNDERTAKE A SEA VOYAGE AS ACCORDING TO THEIR RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS.
WHEN ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL SERVICES ENLISTMENT ACT, THE SOLDIERS WERE ASKED TO SERVE WHEREVER REQUIRED IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY HAD TO CROSS SEAS, THE SOLDIERS RESENTED IT.

34. HUMILIATION OF INDIAN SOLDIERS BY THEIR ENGLISH COUNTERPARTS
INDIAN SOLDIERS WERE TREATED LIKE SLAVES AND MENIAL LABOURERS.
THE BRITSH SOLDIERS DISPLAYED A SENSE OF SUPERIORITY AND ABUSED THE INDIAN SOLDIERS VERBALLY AND PHYSICALLY. THIS OFFENDED THE INDIAN SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

35. LOSS IN THE AFGHAN WAR
THE LOSS OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE AFGHAN WAR BOOSTED THE CONFIDENCE OF THE INDIAN SOLDIERS TO RETALIATE AGAINST THEM.

36. UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE TROOPS
IN SOME IMPORTANT PLACES LIKE DELHI AND ALLAHABAD, THERE WERE VERY FEW BRITISH SOLDIERS AS MOST OF THEM HAD BEEN SENT TO SEVERAL WARS OUTSIDE INDIA.
THE INDIAN SOLDIERS FELT IT WAS AN APPROPRIATE MOMENT FOR ANY KIND OF ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST THE BRITISH.

37. IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF REVOLT OF 1857
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED THE NEW ENFIELD RIFLE IN THE ARMY.
THE TOP OF THE CARTRIDGE OF THIS RIFLE HAD TO BE REMOVED BY THE MOUTH BEFORE LOADING IT IN THE RIFLE.
THERE WAS A RUMOUR THAT THESE CARTRIDGES WERE GREASED WITH THE FAT OF COW AND PIG.
IT WAS A RELIGIOUS SACRILEGE FOR THE MUSLIMS TO EAT PIG MEAT AND FOR THE HINDUS TO EAT COW MEAT.
THE HINDU AND MUSLIM SOLDIERS BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT OF THE BRITISH TO MAKE THE INDIN SOLDIERS GO AGAINST THEIR RELIGION.
MANGAL PANDEY A SOLDIER IN THE BRITISH REGIMENT FIRED AT HIS BRITISH SUPERIOR AND ASKED OTHER SOLDIERS TO RISE IN REVOLT AGAINST THE BRITISH IN DEFENCE OF THEIR CASTE AND RELIGION.

38. CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVOLT OF 1857
END OF THE RULE OF EAST INDIA COMPANY AND ITS POWERS RESTRICTED ONLY TO TRADE IN INDIA.
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT 1858 TRANSFERRED THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIAN TERRITORIES FROM THE EAST INDIA COMPANY TO THE BRITISH CROWN.
THE BRITISH QUEEN MADE A PROCLAMATION THAT DECLARED CERTAIN PROMISES.

39. MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT 1858
NO MORE CONTROL OF EAST INDIA COMPANY OVER INDIAN TERRITORIES.
ALL PROPERTY OF EAST INDIA COMPANY TO BE TRANSFERRED TO BRITISH CROWN.
INDIA TO BE GOVERNED IN THE QUEEN’S NAME.
A COUNCIL OF 15 MEMBERS TO ASSIST THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA.
GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA TO BE APPOINTED BY THE BRITISH CROWN.
INDIAN CIVIL SERVICES TO BE CREATED UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

40. PROMISES IN THE QUEEN’S PROCLAMATION
GOVERNOR GENERAL TO BE REPLACED BY VICEROY – LORD CANNING TO BE THE FIRST VICEROY IN BRITISH INDIA.
APPEASEMENT OF NATIVE RULERS - NO MORE TERRITORIAL EXPANSION BY BRITISH.- DOCTRINE OF LAPSE ABANDONED.[BUT THE MILITARY STRENGTH OF NATIVE RULERS WAS CURBED]
NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIANS IN GOVERNMENT JOBS OPEN TO COMPETITION UNDER GOVERNMENT RULES.
ALL CITIZENS OF BRITISH INDIA TO ENJOY EQUAL PROTECTION OF LAW.
NO INTERFERENCE OF THE BRITISH IN INDIAN RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS.
ALL THOSE NOT CONVICTED WITH MURDER OF BRITISH SUBJECTS IN THE REVOLT TO BE GRANTED CLEMENCY – TO BE RELEASED.