‘‘Rumours and prophecies played a part in moving people to action.’’ Justify the statement in the context of the Revolt of 1857.

Rumors and prophesies played a part in moving people to action:

(i) They told that bullets coated with the fat of cows & pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt their caste and religion. They were referring to the cartridges of the Enfield rifles which had just been given to them.

(ii) The rumours said, the British had mixed the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market. In towns and cantontments, sepoys and the common people refused to touch the atta.

(iii) There was fear and suspicion that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity.

(iv) The response to the call for action was reinforced by the prophecy that British rule would come to an end on the centenary of the Battle of Plassey, on 23 June 1857.