Question

Explain any three military causes of the Great Revolt of 1857.

Answer 1

Hint: The Great Revolt of 1857 was caused by many factors including political, socio-religious, economical and military. It was the First War of Independence against the oppression of the British Government.

Complete answer: The great revolt began in Meerut and was marked as the first uprising against Britishers. Historians list out diverse causes or reasons for the outbreak of the war. So as per the question, we will now discuss the military causes of the Great Revolt of 1857.
-The composition of the British army which includes Indian soldiers were mere peasants. Thus any impact on Indian peasants marked discontentment among Indian Soldiers with Britishers. The policies of Lord Canning and two acts passed by him in 1856 caused more resentment.
-General Service Enlistment Act: according to this act, any Indian military personnel who were posted outside India will not be entitled to get extra allowances. This act came as a shock to the prospects to the Indian military personnel serving under the East India Company.
-Religious Disabilities Act: according to this act if Indian soldiers move outside India they would lose their religion and would be socially excluded. Therefore many Hindu soldiers refused to work in foreign lands. After the passing of the law, the use of any religious symbol was also restricted.

Note: The Indian military faced ill-treatment, subjugation and discrimination at the hands of Britishers in terms of salaries and pensions, while foreign soldiers never faced any such thing. All these reasons along with political, socio-religious and economical led to the outbreak of sepoy mutiny.