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Cause and Consequence

Why was there an Indian mutiny in 1857?

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010

Cause and Consequence

Objectives

In this activity you will:

Learn the reasons for the mutiny.

Explore the most important cause.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010

Cause and Consequence

Key terms

Hindu

A follower of Hinduism, which is the most popular religion in India

Muslim

A follower of Islam, and widely supported within India

Mutiny

When soldiers refuse to follow the orders of their officers and rebel

Sepoy

Indian troops who served in the British Army

Suttee

Traditional practice of wives killing themselves when their husbands

die

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Cause and Consequence

Why was there a mutiny in 1857?

When exploring the causes of events, historians often

try to link different causes. This enables a deeper

understanding of why events happened.

Completing the following task will help you understand

the mutiny:

Link the following causes of the Indian mutiny in 1857.

You need to provide a clear explanation of each

connection.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010

Cause and Consequence

Background causes of mutiny in 1857

Many Indians disliked Britain increasing its control over India

in the mid 19th century.

In 1856, Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of India, took

over the Muslim state of Awadh.

This angered many sepoys from Awadh.

Sepoys were paid extra for working in states that were not

controlled directly by the British.

Now sepoys from Awadh had their pay reduced.

Dalhousie also banned suttee. This was seen as an attack on

Indian customs.

English was also made the official language of India instead of

Persian, which upset many Indians.

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Cause and Consequence

Trigger cause of mutiny in 1857

The mutiny started in Meerut in Northern India in May 1857.Sepoys believed they were being given cartridges greased with the fat of cows and pigs for their rifles.Hindus regarded cows as sacred animals, while Muslims believed pigs were unclean animals.Many sepoys believed the British were trying to weaken their religious beliefs.85 sepoys refused to use the cartridges (when loading their rifles the sepoys would have to bite the end of the cartridges).They were sentenced to 10 years hard labour. On 10 May, more sepoys at Meerut revolted and killed their British officers.The revolt spread quickly to other parts of India. The rebels captured Delhi and Cawnpore. The British, with the help of loyal Sikh soldiers, took 14 months to crush the revolt.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010

Cause and Consequence

Can you find links between each cause?

Why?Causallinks

Taking over Awadh

Sepoys harshly punished

English compulsory

Banning Suttee

Religious beliefs

Cartridges

Using cartridges covered in cow and pig grease went against the

religious beliefs of Indians and Muslims