Describe religious, social and economic causes of the First War of Independence (or the Upheaval of 1857).

I. Religious and Social Causes:

(a) Mass Conversion to Christianity : In the schools set up by the Christian missionaries the teaching of Christian doctrines was made compulsory. The “Bible” was taught in all the institutions including in government schools. Christianity was instructed even in jails. The officers openly taught Christianity in the mosques and temples. This attitude of the English gave fear in the minds of the Indians that they may converted into Christianity.

(b) Abolition of Social Customs and Traditions : The practice of sati was abolished, polygamy, child-marriage and infanticide were prohibited, widow-remarriage was legalized. So the Maulvis and Pandits began to raise the cry “Our religion and customs are in grave danger”. The people also believed that the government was unnecessarily interfering in their social and religious matters.

(c) Introduction of Telegraph and Railways : The English introduced telegraph and railways in India to quicken their administrative works in an eminent way. They also introduced western education in India in order to educate and train the Indians to be appointed in inferior posts to help them in their administration. This had created suspicion and fear in the minds of people. They thought that these things were introduced to spread Christianity.

II. Economic Exploitation of India:

(i) The British enriched themselves at the cost of the Indians. India’s wealth was carried away by them.

(ii) Indian economy was subordinated to meet the needs of the British trade and industry.

(iii) Heavy duties were levied on Indian goods which were exported. So they could not compete in the world markets.

(iv) Indian farmers were forced to cultivate cash crops which was consumed by the British industries whereas the Indian industries declined and famine occurred frequently as the less production of foodgrains.

(v) As Lord William Bentinck took the land free states from Bengal landlords they become unrest and discontent.

(vi) The annexation politics of the British left lakhs and lakhs of soldiers and officers unemployed who joined the revolt.

(vii) The British did nothing to improve the Indian trade and industry. The growing poverty of the masses and frequent famine spread discontent. They became desperate and joined the revolt hoping to improve their conditions.