INTRODUCTION
The Revolt of 1857 was indeed the result of systematic grievances accumulated over five decades of British colonial policies, rather than a spontaneous uprising.
POLITICAL GRIEVANCES (1800-1857)
- Doctrine of Lapse (1848): Dalhousie’s annexation policy absorbed Satara (1848), Jhansi (1854), Nagpur (1854), creating widespread resentment among rulers
- Subsidiary Alliance System: Wellesley’s policy reduced native rulers to puppets, eliminating their real power and dignity
- Administrative Displacement: Traditional administrative systems replaced with British bureaucracy, causing unemployment among Indian officials
ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION
- Land Revenue Policies: Permanent Settlement (1793) and Ryotwari systems caused agrarian distress and frequent famines
- Deindustrialization: British imports destroyed Indian handicrafts; Dacca’s muslin industry declined from 1800-1850
- Drain of Wealth: Estimated ₹500 million annually transferred to Britain by 1857
SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS FACTORS
- Christian Missionary Activities: Aggressive evangelization threatened traditional beliefs, particularly after Charter Act 1813
- Social Reforms: Abolition of Sati (1829), Widow Remarriage Act (1856) perceived as interference in Hindu customs
- Western Education: Introduction of English education through Wood’s Despatch (1854) challenged traditional learning
MILITARY GRIEVANCES
- General Service Enlistment Act (1856): Forced sepoys to serve overseas, violating caste beliefs
- Discrimination: Indian sepoys paid less than European counterparts despite equal service
- Immediate Trigger: Enfield rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat violated Hindu-Muslim religious sentiments
CONCLUSION
The revolt represented five decades of accumulated political, economic, social, and military grievances, making it a inevitable culmination rather than sudden outbreak.