Gr.8

Had their origin in the expansionist policies of the EEIC.

These policies dislodged many native rulers.

Created fear in the minds of other ruling families.

Interference in the religious customs and traditions of various religious communities.

An effort to convert people to Christianity.

The abolition of ‘sati’, female infanticide and the legislation of widow remarriage.

Racial discrimination.

Introduction of western education reduced the importance of ‘pundits’ and ‘maulvis’

The introduction of new land revenue system allowed confiscation of land.

The influx of British manufactured goods into India, ruined the textile industry.

People who depended on royal patronage for their livelihood were rendered unemployed. (artists, musicians, poets)

Sepoys were considered inferior to British soldiers. (abused and ill-treated)

Sepoys were paid less and got no promotions.

The General Service Enlistment Act – required sepoys to work within and outside India.

The introduction of the Enfield rifle, with greased cartridges, set ablaze the whole of India.

Rumour – cartridges were greased with the fat of cows and pigs.

The caps of the cartridges had to be bitten off before one could use them.

The unrest began in Barrackpore and Behrampore in Bengal.

Mangal Pandey arrested and hanged to death.