Question

The Indian Nationalists described the Great Uprising of 1857 as the First War of Independence. with reference to this, answer the following question:

The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.

Mention any three military causes which led to the uprising.

Answer 1

The following were a few military causes for the 1857 uprising:

1. There was unequal treatment of the British soldiers and the Indian soldiers. While the British and Indian soldiers' duties were essentially the same, the Indian soldiers' salary was insufficient to sustain their families.
2. The Indian soldiers were limited to becoming Subedars.
3. Indian soldiers could be sent overseas for duty under the British parliamentary law known as the General Service Enlistment Act of 1856. However, Indian soldiers saw sea voyages as being against their religious beliefs and customs.
4. Indian soldiers were encouraged to fight the British because their numerical strength was far greater than that of European soldiers.
5. Although the British were defeated in the First Afghan War, Indians still thought they were unbeatable (1838-42). The Indian soldiers began to question why they couldn't defeat the British if the Afghans could.