What was the cause of Indian Rebellion? Flashcards
(26 cards)
How did Raychaudhuri see Indian rebellion?
As ‘great’
Impact of rebellion on British Empire
Seen as existential threat to Empire
Other names for ‘Indian Mutiny’
‘Great rebellion’
‘First war of independence’
Why did Sepoys in Indian army do in 1857?
After refusing to bite cartridges before loading them into Enfield Rifle because they were said to contain cow and pig grease
Why did Sepoys in Indian army refuse to bite cartridges of Enfield Rifle?
Due to religious reasons as the cow is sacred to Hindus and pig is considered as unclean for Muslims
Economic reasons for outbreak of rebellion
Underlaying economic grievances
What was India progressively filled with (outbreak of rebellion)?
Cheap British goods
British property developers (outbreak of rebellion)
British property developers bought up land, introduced a landlord system and imposed high rents
Indian exporters of goods (outbreak of rebellion)
Received very low prices for their products
What was greatly resented in India before outbreak of rebellion?
Territorial expansion
What policy causes concern for Indians?
Westernisation
Feelings of Indians before outbreak of rebellion
Felt they were being forced to accept ‘Alien’ culture.
Felt British ignored their feelings
Beginning of rebellion - May 1858
Sepoys in Meerut (outside Delhi) rose against their British officers and killed number of them
What did Sepoys take control of after original uprising?
Many northern cities
Who joined the Sepoys?
Discontented landowners, peasants and anyone who lost under British rule
What were the major battles fought during rebellion?
Delhi, Cawnpore and Lucknow
What massacre caused outrage in Britain?
Massacre of 200 British women and children at Cawnpore
Result of Cawnpore massacre
70,000 new troops sent to India - British gave swift and brutal revenge
Who remained loyal to British through rebellion?
Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathan regiments
What battle reasserted British rule?
Battle of Gwailor in June 1858
When was peace declared?
8th July 1858
British reasons for rebellion being defeated
-Britain had much more superior weapons and resources
-Britain had reinforcements
Indian reasons for defeat of rebellion
-Indian rebels didn’t get as much support as they had hoped for
-Indian rebels had weak naval power compared to British
-Indian rebels didn’t have clear aim or long term plan with rebellion
Results of rebellion for East India Company
Control ended
