History & Civics
Explain the discontent and disaffection in the Bengal Army that lead to the First War of Independence in 1857.
Answer
- The name 'Bengal army' was a misnomer, because Bengal had nothing to do with the personnel of the army.
- The sepoys and officers of the Bengal army were mainly high-caste Hindus of Awadh.
- During Anglo-Afghan war (1839-1842), they had to cross the Sindhu and go outside India.
- They very much disliked it because they thought that sea voyage was forbidden by their religion.
- In 1844, some Bengal regiments refused to serve in Sindhu till extra allowances were given to them.
Related Questions
After the initial success of the Uprising of 1857, the objective of the leaders of the Uprising included
- restoring the former glory to the Mughal empire;
- forming a Federation of Indian States;
- eliminating foreign rule and return of the old order;
- All of the above.
Which was not a drain of wealth from India?
- Salaries of Englishmen
- Salaries of Sepoys
- Establishment of British Officers
- Savings of Englishmen
India gained independence from the British rule 90 years after the First War of Independence. Why, do you think, it took so long for us to become an independent nation?
Which of the following events of the Uprising of 1857 and their leaders is not correctly matched?
- Lucknow-Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Kanpur—Nana Saheb
- Meerut-Tantia Tope
- Bareilly-Khan Bahadur