Revolt of 1857: its causes sheet6-mark answer frameExplain the political, economic, social and religious, and military causes of the Revolt of 1857, and name its immediate cause.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
- 1 · Open in one line. The Revolt of 1857 had long-term political, economic, social, religious and military causes, and one immediate spark.
- 2 · Political causes. The Doctrine of Lapse took Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi; Awadh was annexed for misgovernment; Nana Saheb was denied his pension.
- 3 · Economic causes. Drain of wealth, ruin of handicrafts by machine-made cloth, heavy land revenue and debt, and 12 major famines from 1770 to 1857.
- 4 · Social and religious causes. Reform laws, missionary activity and Act XXI of 1850 made people fear for their religion.
- 5 · Military causes. Low pay, no promotion above subedar, unpaid bhatta and forced overseas service angered the sepoys.
- 6 · Immediate cause. The rumour that Enfield rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat hurt both Hindus and Muslims.
- 7 · Close in one line. These grievances burst out at Meerut on 10 May 1857.
Scoring tip: Use the heads as short labels and give one example under each. End with the greased cartridges, the spark.
