When People Rebel

By the 1750’s, The Nawabs and Rajas had lost their power and authority.
British Residents were stationed in the courts of Rajas and Nawabs
which reduced their freedom. Their army was disbanded because of the
subsidiary alliance (A treaty between the EIC and the Rajas and Nawabs
that was accepting protection from the EIC in exchange of money.) Their
revenues and territories were taken away because of The doctrine of
Lapse (which stated that any adopted son wouldn’t be considered as a
ruler and the territory will be annexed/taken over by the EIC.
Example of the Doctrine of Lapse, Rani Laxmibai of Jhani and Peshwa
Baji Rao II.
 Awadh was annexed in 1856 after the imposition of a subsidiary
alliance.
Planning of the EIC to bring the Mughal Dynasty to an end: -
 Coins with the name of the Mughal King was removed.
 Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zadar
would be the last Mughal Ruler.
Reasons for the Sepoys and the Peasants for their discontent: -
 Not satisfied with their pay and allowance and the treatment and
services.
 In 1856, EIC passed a new law that stated that everyone under the
employment of the EIC have to serve overseas if required.
The sepoys believed that traveling overseas will result in losing
their caste and religion. So, this law violated their religious beliefs.

 In 1850, a law was passed that stated that an Indian who want to
convert to Christianity will be allowed to inherit their ancestral
property, before 1850 before this law, The British has the authority
to take over the property of any Indian who converted to
Christianity.
 Rebel of 1857
The rebellion began with mutinies, soldiers refusing to work with
the new rifle cartridges which were lubricated with fat of cows and
pigs. This highly violated the religious beliefs of Hindus and
Muslims soldiers; those cartridges were considered impure.

The Indian Rebellion began in 10 March 1857, triggered by events

like Mangal Pandey's execution and the controversy over
cartridges. Sepoys in Meerut revolted, attacking British officers and
supporting Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader.
Leaders of the Rebellion in: -
 Kanpur: Nana Saheb.
 Lucknow : Birjis Qadri and Begum Hazrat Mahal.
 Jhansi : Rani Laxmibai and Tantia Tope
 Delhi : Bahadur Shah Zafar, Bakht Khan
 Madhya Pradesh : Rani Avantibai Lodhi
 Bihar : Kunwar Singh

The Company responded with reinforcements, harsh laws, and

recaptured key areas. Delhi fell in 1857, with the last Mughal
emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, sentenced to life imprisonment. The
rebellion persisted, but by 1859, the British regained control.

The EIC introduced new policies :

1) The British Parliament passed a new act that transferred the power
and authority to the British Crown, to the British Empire.
2) The Governor General of India was given the title of Viceroy.
3) Doctrine of Lapse was removed in exchange of the subordination
to the British Crown.
4) Proportion of Indian soldiers in the arm was reduced and instead
European soldiers increased in the army.
5) The property of Muslims was taken over by the British, they were
treated with hostility because the British believed that they were
the cause of the massive rebellion.
6) Zamindars and Landlords were granted rights of security for their
property.