Briefly explain three reasons for the War of Independence of 1857. [7] (Past Paper, June 2000: Q1/b)

[Financial Exploitation] The British were financially exploiting the Indians. Cotton produced in India was taken to the textile industries in Britain. As a result, the local cotton industries collapsed which created unemployment and poverty. Obviously, this was a cause of immense displeasure for the Indians. Moreover, heavy taxes were imposed on peasants and small landowners which were very difficult for them to pay. Native Indians were not given jobs in the Civil Services. These activities were adding into the anger of Indian people.

[Religious Attack] Christian missionaries were allowed to work anywhere in the Indian subcontinent. Their main objective was to preach Christianity. They were criticizing the beliefs of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and other casts and the ways they worshipped. They established schools where local Indians were continuously tried to convert to Christianity. These actions outraged the different religious groups living in India.

[Racial Discrimination] Most of the British army consisted of local sepoys. They were always supervised by British officers who were very arrogant. They considered themselves racially superior over the Indians and culturally more advanced and civilized nation. They even didn’t like to speak with the sepoys in their native language. The sepoys disliked their attitude and started hating them.