Talk about how the Doctrine of Lapse caused the native states’ preexisting power structures to collapse and how it served as a spark for the Revolt of 1857.
After the East India Company established British rule over the Indian territory, disappointment and anger started to thrive in the hearts and minds of the Indians. There were several reasons like the introduction of a permanent settlement system, widow remarriage act of 1856, subsidiary alliance andRead more
After the East India Company established British rule over the Indian territory, disappointment and anger started to thrive in the hearts and minds of the Indians. There were several reasons like the introduction of a permanent settlement system, widow remarriage act of 1856, subsidiary alliance and the doctrine of lapse, overseas wars in Burma, and more.
However, the main incident that caused the breakout of revolt of 1857 was the introduction of greased cartridges. It was made from the fats of pig and cow that violated Muslim and Hindu religion.
The sepoys refused to use those cartridges and it initiated the revolt.
The Course of the Great War of IndependenceTo understand the causes of the 1857 revolt, it is essential to understand the course of Mutiny that can be dated back to 1857, on 29th March. Mangal Panday rejected operating the cartridges and killed the deputy on this day. With him, 85 other enthusiasts at Meerut rejected the use of the same.
However, the significance of the revolt of 1857 provided a charge of imprisonment on the soldiers, which the other soldiers strongly opposed. In 1857, on 10th May, the soldiers killed the officers and headed towards Delhi. They requested the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II to take back the throne and help them fight against the British. The revolt of 1857 was widespread indeed but it failed to bring together the entire country. Southern India never participated in the mutiny. In fact, many rulers who first contributed to the war backed out when they saw the defeat of the sepoys.
Failure of the revolt 1857
The sepoy mutiny was more localized. Due to the lack of any central influence, it became easier for the British to suppress the revolts.
No one was there to lead the sepoys and make them understand about the game plan. On the other hand, the British army was led by governors and expert military persons.One of the main reasons for the failure of the revolt of 1857 was the characters of the Bengal soldiers. They were hated everywhere and the uprisings were crushed down by the locals themselves.
Even though they were a strong and united reason for the uprisings, the sepoys didn’t know whom to put in power if they were able to overthrow the British.
The sepoys lacked unity and discipline unlike the British soldiers who were highly disciplined.
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The Doctrine of Lapse was a controversial colonial policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848, which allowed the British East India Company to annex any princely state in India if the ruler died without a male heir or was deemed incompetent. By the use of the doctrine of lapse, the Company took oveRead more
The Doctrine of Lapse was a controversial colonial policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie in 1848, which allowed the British East India Company to annex any princely state in India if the ruler died without a male heir or was deemed incompetent. By the use of the doctrine of lapse, the Company took over the princely states of Satara (1848), Jaitpur, Sambalpur (1849), Baghat (1850)This policy not only disrupted existing power hierarchies within native states but also acted as a catalyst for mass participation in the Revolt of 1857.
Doctrine of Lapse Disrupted the Existing Power Hierarchies Within Native States in the following ways
Ways in which the Doctrine of Lapse Acted as a Catalyst in Mobilizing Mass Participation in the Revolt of 1857
The Doctrine of Lapse disrupted the existing power structures within the native states, leading to widespread discontent and disenfranchisement. The policy also fueled the fires of the Revolt of 1857, acting as a focal point that unified various classes and communities against British rule that eventually contributed to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India.
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