Using the following points, explain the important causes which led to the Great Uprising of 1857:

(a) The British policy of territorial expansions.

(b) Economic exploitation of the Indians.

(c) Interference in the social and religious life of the Indians.

(d) The introduction of greased cartridges.

(a) The British followed many policies to expand their territory, such as:

1. Doctrine of Lapse — Lord Dalhousie introduced the Doctrine of Lapse which implied that if an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, his kingdom would automatically lapse to the British. An adopted heir could not become the ruler of such a state.
2. Subsidiary Alliances — The Subsidiary Alliance was an agreement which the British concluded with many Indian rulers. The British promised to protect these rulers from attacks by others. In return, the rulers gave away many of their powers to the British and became largely dependent on them.
3. Outright Wars — The British fought many wars to expand their territory and safeguard their economic and political interests. For example, the Battle of Buxar (1764) established the British as the master of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
4. Alleged Misrule — Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the pretext of alleged misrule or misgovernance.

(b) Given below are the ways in which the British exploited India economically:

1. Exploitation of Economic Resources of India — Agricultural India was reduced to an economic colony. The Company purchased textiles, indigo, spices and tea from India and sold them abroad at exorbitant prices. The Company put restriction on the import of Indian textiles imposing heavy import duties on such goods.
2. Subordination of Indian Industry — The Company purchased raw materials from India at cheaper rate and exported manufactured finished goods back to India making enormous profit. Goods manufactured in India were subjected to high import duties in England. This way the Indian textile industry couldn't compete with the British industries.
3. Collapse of Indian Handicrafts — India was made a raw material producing country. Heavy duties were implied on Indian manufactured products. The traditional patrons and buyers - the princes, chieftains and zamindars disappeared. Due to all these factors, Indian handicrafts and cottage industries died out.
4. Drain of Wealth — The transfer of wealth from India to England for which India got no proportionate economic return is called the drain of wealth. Raw materials were purchased from the surplus revenues of Bengal and profits from duty free inland trade. The drain also included the salaries, incomes and savings of Englishmen, the British expenditure in India on the purchase of military goods, office establishments, interest on debts, unnecessary expenditure on the army, etc.
5. Resumption of Tax-Free Lands — The resumption of tax-free land and confiscation of Jagirs caused discontent among the Jagirdars and Zamindars. Lord William Bentinck had attached several Jagirs in Bengal. As a result, the Indian aristocracy was reduced to utter poverty. Lord Dalhausie had also confiscated Jagirs belonging to Jagirdars of the Deccan region.

(c) The British introduced many reforms to improve the conditions of the Indian people, but these reforms caused discontent among the Indian people.

1. Interference with Social Customs — The abolition of Sati (1829), conversion to Christianity (1832-1850) to inherit property, and the Widow Remarriage Act (1856) offended the Indians.
2. Activities of Missionaries — The British encouraged conversion to Christianity. The Christian missionaries often condemned Hindu and Muslim customs as outdated. The Missionaries opened schools to spread English education where the Christian religion was also taught. Tax was imposed on property held by temples and mosques.

(d) The immediate cause of the Great Uprising of 1857 was the introduction of greased cartridges. A new type of rifle (Enfield Rifle) was introduced in the army. Greased cartridges were to be used in them. Before fitting them in the rifles, the soldiers had to bite the tip of the cartridges with their teeth. A rumour spread that they were greased with the fat of the cow and the pig. Both the Hindu and the Muslim sepoys were enraged and thought that the English Government wanted to defile their religions. Both refused to use these cartridges and when force was used against them, they became infuriated and rose in revolt.