CBSE Class 8 Answered

Dear Dhruv,

Political causes:

Doctrine of Lapse: Lord Dalhousie came up with this policy to annex more and more territories in India. This led to a lot of resentment among the native rulers.

Policy of Expansion – The British authorities annexed many independent Indian states on one pretext or the other to become the supreme rulers in India.

Annexation of Awadh – On February 13, 1856, Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh to the Company’s territories. This was done under the pretext of alleged misrule by the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. However, this led to a lot of resentment among the ruling elite of Awadh and the Indian sepoys working under the East India Company.

Social causes:

Interference with Social Customs - Measures like Widow Remarriage Act and Abolition of Sati introduced by the Company government were not appreciated by the conservative sections of Indian society.

Policy of Racial Discrimination – The British officers of the East India Company’s army often mistreated their Indian sepoys on racial lines. Pay structure and status were also affected by racial considerations.

Corruption in Administration – The police and petty officials of the Company government were very corrupt and hence unpopular among the general public.