Social and religious causes were also at work in causing the Great Upsurge of 1857. In this context briefly describe:

(a) Fears regarding mass Conversion to Christianity.

(b) Laws that interfered with the Religion and Customs of the people.

(c) Indignities hurled at Indians (Policy of Racial Discrimination)

(a) Fears regarding mass Conversion to Christianity led to the Great Upsurge of 1857 in the following ways:

1. The activities of the Christian missionaries created a sense of alarm among both the Hindus and the Muslims.
2. The teaching of Christian doctrines was made compulsory in the schools set up by the Christian missionaries.
3. The Bible was introduced not only in Christian institutions, but also in government schools.
4. Even the prisoners in the jail began to be instructed in Christianity.
5. The officials openly preached Christian doctrines in mosques and temples.
6. The Missionary Society of America established a press at Agra.
7. It published leaflets and little books full of inaccurate information about Hinduism.
8. In brief, a feeling of panic was rising in the people who believed that they would all be converted to Christianity.

(b) The British passed various law to bring religious and social reforms. But the laws interfered with the Religion and Customs of the people leading to the Great Upsurge of 1857 in the following ways:

1. Religious Disabilities Act of 1850 changed the Hindu law of property.
2. It enabled the convert from Hinduism to inherit the property of the father.
3. The Hindus regarded it as an incentive to giving up one's religious faith.
4. Taxes were imposed on the properties of temples and mosques, which earlier had been free from all taxes.
5. In the 19th century, the British took measures to control some of the social evils.
6. The Widow Remarriage Act, passed in 1856, was a progressive measure.
7. Earlier Sati and female infanticide had been prohibited.
8. In fact, reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Keshab Chandra Sen themselves attacked Sati and female infanticide.
9. Yet people did not react favorably to these measures favoring social reform.
10. They raised the cry that their religion was in danger.

(c) The British did not behave in a respectful manner with the Indians. They thought of Indian as below them.

1. The Englishman in India could insult, humiliate and even kill the Indians at will.
2. An English Magistrate at Agra had issued the following notification: "Every native, whatever his pretended rank may be, ought to be compelled to salute all English gentleman in the streets."
3. Besides, if an Indian was on horse back he had to dismount and stand in a respectful manner until the European had passed him.
4. Such indignities alienated the British from the Indian masses.