1. The document discusses the various causes that led to the Indian War of Independence in 1857, including political, economic, social, religious and military factors. 2. Politically, the British annexed many states using the Doctrine of Lapse and policies of expansion, angering local rulers. Economically, the British destroyed local industries, imposed an unfair tax system, and created widespread unemployment. 3. Religiously, the British propagated Christianity aggressively and passed laws interfering with local customs and beliefs. Socially and militarily, the British disbanded armies of annexed states, showed racial discrimination, and introduced cartridges greased with cow or pig fat offensive to Hindus and Muslims.

1. NAME MUHAMMAD USMAN YOUSAF
DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
SESSION: 2019-2023
SUBMITTED TO: SIR SIRAJ HUSSAIN RAZA
BAHAUDDIN ZAKRIYA UNIVERSITY SUB CAMPUS LODHRA N
Causes of war of independence 1857

2. Causes of war of independence
The mass uprising of the people of indo-Pakistan against the british rule in 1857 was not a spontaneous reaction of alien rule but
the eruption of the volcano of discontent that had kept smouldering for about a century. The causes of war of independence were
political, economical, social, religious and military.
a) POLITICAL CAUSES
The english east india company got strongly implanted in the sub-continent after its historic victory over nawab of bengal in the
battle of plassey fought in 1757. Soon afterwards in 1764 the british recorded another important triumph in the battle of buxar. This
time the english defeated the comined forces of mir qasim, nawab of oudh and the maghal emperor. By 1857 that is about a
hundured years after the battle of plassey the fronties of the british territory included provinces like bengal, bihar, oudh, maysore,
sindh, punjab, kashmir and north west frontier. There are many states. Some are following.
 Doctrine of lapse: lord dalhousle applied doctrine of lapes for the expansion of the british empire. The ruler of the states
were not allowed to adopt sons.
 Annoyance of the rulers of state: the policy of ruthless expansions adopted by the british created a lot of bitterness. Lord
dalhousie left no stone unturned for the expansions of the english territory. As such the rulers of the affected states like sindh,
punjab, jhansi and oudh became sworn enemies of the company.
 Confiscation of estate: the nobles were granted large estates by past rules which served as a source of their honourable
living. The british government reversed this policy and confiscated thousand of such estates.

3. b)Economic causes of the war
The new agrarian policy of the british, destruction of local industry, permanent settlement, large scale unemployment, monopoly of trade by the
English and the stamp act were some important economic causes of the war.
 New agrarian policy: the new agrarian policy of the government shook the foundations of the village communities. The
zamindars were asked to provide documentary proof of their holdings; otherwise, they were deprived of their lands. The rate of taxes on the
lands was increased burdening the zamindars and the cultivators. These steps allenated the majority of the working class from the
government. This class was in the front rank when the war of independence broke out in 1857.
 Destruction of local industry: due to industrial revolution of England cheaper and superior goods flowed into the markets of the
sub-continent. The local industry could not compete with the imported stuff and suffered badly. Millions of people were left jobless. This
resulted in frustration among the lower classes.
 Permanent settlement: the after effects of the permanent settlement of land were very disastrous for the landowners. It had fixed the
income of the government but had put the zamindar under a lot of pressure. They had to deposit regularly a fixed amount which was not
always possible. The defaulters were very often degraded and subjected to oppression by the collectors. These acts created a lot of
bitterness and discontent among the peasants.
 Unemployment: the british did not trust the Indians. As a result they were not appointed on important jobs and high posts. This policy
resulted in unemployment for the educated classes. The policy of annexation to the british empire also left thousands of people jobless.
 Domination of trade by the English: the british facilitated their trade in indo- Pakistan. Many seaports were declared fee
ports and custom duty on imported goods was withdrawn. These steps ruined the local industry. Imported goods flooded local markets that
were cheaper and superior in quality. Consequently the local working class became distressed.
 Court fee stamps: the English government declared court fee compulsory to be paid in the form of court stamps. Thus the people
were denied the right of free justice. The general public greatly resented this action.

4. c) RELIGIOUS CAUSES
Propagation of Christianity: Although at the outset the English had shown respect towards all religious yet with the passage
of time they changed their mind and devised ways and means for the propagation of Christianíty in Indo-Pakistan. The Government officials
often became vocal in their Intentions to convert the locals to Christianity. Mr. Mangles chairman of the Directors of the Company while
speaking in the House of Commons said:
"Province has entrusted the extensive empire of Hindustan to England in order that the banner of Christ should wave triumphant
from one end of India to the other. Every one must exert all his strength that there may be no dilatoriness on any account in continuing
in the country the grand wok of making all Indians Christians."
The missionaries enjoyed full government support. They were allowed to perform their work at all public places. The Bible was included in the
syllabi of various educational institutions. Orphans, widows and distressed people were converted to Christianity. Moreover as act was passed
through which the converts were allowed to inherit their ancestral properties. The Indians became suspicious of this act because they thought
that this act was passed in order to facilitate conversion to Christianity. It may be interesting to note that even the highest ranked officials did not
conceal their efforts of preaching Christianity. To quote Lord Dalhousie:
"It is announced also as a matter of great significance that the daughter of the Raja of Coorg had been baptized and that our gracious
sovereign was her god-mother."
Keeping in view all these facts is interesting to note that the leaders of the war of Independence like Nana Sahib, Rani of Jhansi, Maharaja
Peshwa Bahadur and Bahadur Shah Zafar called upon the people to defend their faith against the propagation of Christianity.
 Introduction of new inventions: In the mid of the 19th Century, the British introduced in Indo-Pakistan many
inventions like railway, post and telegraph. Moreover they made English as medium of education. These inventions made the Indians
suspicious of the intentions of the British. They considered these inventions as moves of some ulterior motives on the part of the rulers.
 Jehad Movement: Syed Ahmed Shaheed launched the Jehad Movement in the second decade of the 19th century. It was a sort
of large-scale effort by the Muslims to snatch freedom from alien rule. After their initial successes at Akora and Hazru the Mujahdeens were
defeated at Balakot in 1831, The Jehad Movement though failed to achieve immediate aims yet it succeeded in kindling a flame of freedom
which servedas a beacon of inspiration for the coming generations, In 1857, particularly the Muslims were conscious of the need to
overthrow the British Government.
 Anti-religion Laws: The British Government enacted many laws which wee contradictory to the fundamentals of varlious
religions of Indo-Pakistan. For example. rape was declared a civil offence. It greatly aroused the feeling of the Muslims. Similarly the
widow remarriage act offended Hindu religious sentiments. The abolition of the age-old Hindu custom of Sati produced the dame results.

5. d) SOCIAL CAUSES
 Mockery of cultural heritage: The British considered the Muslims as their archenemy in the sub-
continent because the Muslims had been the rulers of the country in the recent past. The British were afraid of the
Muslim cultural heritage which was very rich in all aspects. The English wanted to prove their culture as superior to
others. Thus they adopted a policy of ridiculing the Muslim culture. This attitude greatly agitated Muslim religious
feelings.
 Insulting treatment with the people: A hundred year rule over the sub-continent had given
the English as air of superiority. They considered themselves a super creation and often resorted to insulting attitude
towards the people of the sub- continent. The Company adhered to a policy of racial discrimination which preferred
white over the black. The people of Indo-Pakistan were greatly agitated by this attitude.
e) MILITARY CAUSES
 Disbanded armies of annexed states: The Company annexed many states to the British
Empire under 'Doctrine of Lapse' and misgovernment. The British disbanded the armies of the annexed states
resulting in thousands of unemployed local soldiers. Consequently a number of families were rendered economically
distressed. These policies created a class which wanted to get rid of the British rule.
 Dearth of English troops: In the middle of the 19th century most of the British troops were stationed
in Punjab where they wee deployed during and after the conquest of Punjab. Similarly the Crimean War had ended in
1856 but the English troops had not returned yet. Eventually the number of troops in Bengal and central parts of the
country was very small but the ratio of the Indian troops had increased in the Company Army which tilted the balance
in favour of the natives and they were encouraged to launch the War of Independence.
 Greased cartridges:The use of greased cartridges proved as the immediate cause of the war. It was
rumoured that the cartridges were greased with the fat of the cow or pig. This situation agitated the religious feeling
of both the Muslim and Hindu soldiers and created widespread discontent among the native soldiers. Keeping with
their religious beliefs they refused to use these cartridges.