Using the following points describe the main political causes that led to the First War of Independence in 1857:

(a) British policy of Territorial Expansion under the pretext of the Doctrine of Lapse.

(b) Annexation of Awadh.

(c) Treatment meted out to Nana Saheb.

(a) Dalhousie's Policy of annexation and conquests showed clearly that the territory of no Indian Prince was safe.

1. The Doctrine of Lapse created a sense of alarm among the ruling Chiefs.
2. The doctrine meant that when a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural heir, the state passed back to the English company.
3. Dalhousie claimed that the heirs adopted without the consent of the company could inherit only the private property of the diseased ruler, and not his territory.
4. The prominent states to fall victim do the doctrine were Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.
5. Thus, when the ruler of Jhansi died leaving no child, the widowed Rani was pensioned. Their adopted son, Anand Rao, was not recognized as a lawful successor to the throne.

(b) Annexation of Awadh played a major role in the war of 1857 because of the following reasons:

1. On 7th February, 1856, Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was deposed on grounds that Awadh was not being managed well.
2. On February 13, the Court of Directors ordered Awadh's complete annexation to the company's dominions.
3. The annexation of Awadh was certainly a case of high handedness on the part of the company.
4. The British seemed to have broken all their pledges and promises to the ruling chiefs.
5. This caused resentment among those soldiers of the British Indian army who came from Awadh.
6. Even among the talukdar's and zamindars, there was widespread dissatisfaction, because the British had confiscated their estates.

(c) Treatment meted out to Nana Saheb led to the First War of Independence in 1857 in the following way:

1. Dalhousie's refusal of pension to Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the ex-Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was very much resented by the Hindus in general and Nana Saheb in particular.
2. It is said that Nana Saheb had inherited the enormous wealth from the ex-Peshwa.
3. He spent that money in sending emissaries to different parts of the country and instigating revolt everywhere.