What are the main causes of the revolt of 1857 in India?

What are the main causes of the revolt of 1857 in India?

A.  - The causes for the revolt of 1987 were -

       1. Economic Causes - The most important cause of popular discontent was the British policy of economically exploiting India, hurting all sections of society. The peasants suffered due to high revenue demands and the strict revenue collection policy. Artisans and craftsmen were ruined by the large-scale influx of cheap British manufactured goods into India which, in turn, made their hand-made goods uneconomical to produce. People who made a living by following religious and cultural pursuits lost their source of livelihood due to the withdrawal of royal patronage caused by the displacement of the old ruling classes. A corrupt and unresponsive administration added to the miseries of the people.

       2. Political Causes - The British policy of territorial annexation led to the displacement of a large number of rulers and chiefs. The vigorous application of the policies of Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse angered the ruling sections of the society. Rulers of these territories became bitter enemies of the British and led to the revolt in their respective territories. They along with the other displaced ruling class were joined by their loyal soldiers and disgruntled Indian soldiers in the British army that spearheaded the revolt.

      3. Social- The social reforms introduced by the British were looked upon with suspicion by the conservative sections of the Indian society. Reforms such as the abolition of ‘Sati’, legalization of widow remarriage and extension of western education to women were looked upon as examples of interference in the social customs of the country. The social discrimination faced by the Indians due to the British attitude of racial superiority also led to much resentment.

      4. Religion - A major cause of the outbreak of the revolt was the fear among the people that the British government was determined to destroy their religion and convert Indians to Christianity. The increasing activities of the Christian missionaries and the actual conversions made by them were taken as proof of this fear. 

      5. Military-  Discontent, and resentment against British rule among Indian soldiers became the immediate cause of the revolt. At that time, the Enfield rifle was introduced in the army. Its cartridges were covered with a greased paper cover. This greased cover had to be bitten off before the cartridge could be loaded into the rifle. The news spread that the grease was made of cow and pig fat. As the Hindus consider the cow sacred and the Muslims do not eat pit’s meat, both these communities were enraged at such a blatant attempt to harm their religion.