What was a political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?(1 point)
The British East India Company undermined the traditional Hindu
caste system.
A rumor spread that animal fat was being used to grease rifle
cartridges, causing Muslims and Hindus to revolt.
India is a diverse region with many competing ethnic and religious
interests.
The British East India Company gained greater control through its
doctrine of lapse.
The political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was that the British East India Company gained greater control through its doctrine of lapse.
A political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was that the British East India Company gained greater control through its doctrine of lapse.
The political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 can be identified as the British East India Company's doctrine of lapse, which led to greater control by the company. To understand this cause, it is important to note that the British East India Company was initially formed as a trading entity and gradually gained political control over parts of India through treaties, alliances, and coercion.
The doctrine of lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, which allowed the British East India Company to annex princely states if they did not have a male heir for succession. According to the Hindu and Muslim traditions prevalent in India at the time, adoption was considered a legitimate means of appointing an heir. However, the British East India Company disregarded this practice and asserted the right to annex the states if no direct male heir was present.
This policy of annexing states added to the growing discontent among the Indian rulers, as their autonomy and power were undermined. It directly challenged the traditional Indian political structure and disturbed the existing balance of power. The disregard for the adoption practices deeply offended the cultural and religious sentiments of the ruling elites, leading to increased resistance and opposition.
Therefore, the political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 can be attributed to the British East India Company's doctrine of lapse, which eroded the authority and power of Indian rulers, ultimately fueling the revolt against British colonial rule.