Economic Causes of Revolt of 1857


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Economic Causes of Revolt of 1857

Economic Causes:

  • One of the most important causes of the Revolt was the economic policies pursued by the British in India. It caused immense hardship for the people. Britain used India as a source of raw materials for is own industries.
  • In turn, it flooded India with cheap machine – made goods from Britain. As a result, Indian industries suffered a steep decline and millions of artisans were rendered jobless.
  • To earn a living, the unemployed workers turned as agriculture, which increased the pressure on agricultural land, which was already under tremendous stress. The land revenue systems put in place by the British were another major cause of discontent.
  • The permanent Settlement of Bengal fixed the revenue is such high levels that not only the poor peasants but even many zamindars found it impossible to pay the amount required
  • . The British took away their land and auctioned it. The highest bidders for the land were usually city-based traders who bought the land only as a means of making more money.
  • They did not do anything to improve the productivity of the land. As a result of these policies, there were recurring famines and many suffered extreme poverty. These impoverished peasants and the zamindars who were deprived of their land also joined the Revolt, hoping to have their problem solved.           
  • Also, almost all the high posts in the army, civil services, police and judiciary were reserved for the British. The poor pay and start contrast in living styles between the Indians and the British upset the educated Indians.
  • They had hoped that education would give them better paying jobs and better prospects for promotion in the government services.
  • The British encouraged the imports of British Goods to India.
  • Due to the Introduction of clothes made in England , the Indian handloom industry was adversely affected 
  • Many craftsmen and artisans were thrown out of employment. 
  • The new plantation system brought misery was impoverished on the peasants.
  • Zamindars and Taluqdars were displaced.
  • Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    Which of the following was one of the major political causes of the revolt of 1857 ?

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
     
     


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