Sepoy Mutiny: Causes, Results, and Administrative Changes
Causes of the Sepoy Mutiny
Q.4: What were 4 causes for the outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny?
Ans: The 4 main causes for the outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny were:
- Political cause: The reactionary policies of Lord Dalhousie caused dissatisfaction among the people.
- Economic cause: Scrapping the name of the Mughal Emperor from the coins of the East India Company in 1835.
- Social cause: Unrest among the royal class and the common people caused by the preceding hundred years of British rule.
- Religious cause: Replacing the royal Persian language with English in the administration.
Important Results of the Sepoy Mutiny
Q.5: Mention 4 important results of the Sepoy Mutiny.
Ans: The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 brought remarkable changes in the outlook of the British government towards India. These changes can broadly be classified into 2 categories, viz:
- Constitutional changes: A sharp abhorrence towards the English East India Company was created in the minds of the people of England.
- Social changes:
- (a) The medieval static state prevailing in Indian society was over, and they showed interest towards modern western culture.
- (b) The valor and confidence of the rebel sepoys became an inspiration for the people. However, they realized that they needed to get organized before initiating another national movement.
- (c) Being brought under direct British rule, the Indians were infused with a sense of unity as being ‘We Indians.’ People of different castes and races of the country began to look upon themselves as one unit.
Administrative Changes: Government of India Act
Q.6: Mention 4 administrative changes brought through the ‘Government of India Act.’
Ans: Following the Sepoy Mutiny, the British government passed an Act named the Government of India Act, 1858.
The administrative changes brought through this Act were:
- Change of authority: By the introduction of the new act, the administration of India passed on from the English East India Company to the British Crown, i.e., the British Parliament. It also abolished the Board of Control and the Court of Directors, which earlier used to manage the affairs of the company.
- Appointment of the Secretary of State for India: A new official named the Secretary of State for India was appointed. A council of 15 members called the ‘Council of India’ guided the Secretary of State for India. The 15 members comprised 8 members from the British government and 7 members from the East India Company.
- Increased Indian Representation: The Act expanded the franchise, allowing more Indians to participate in the electoral process. It increased the number of eligible voters from around 7 million to 35 million, which was about 13% of the total population at that time. This led to a significant increase in the number of Indian representatives in both the central and provincial legislatures.
- Separation of Central & Provincial Powers: The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly demarcated the powers and responsibilities of the central and provincial governments. It provided a list of subjects under the control of the central government, such as defense, foreign affairs, and communications, and another list of subjects under the control of the provincial governments, such as education, health, and local self-government. This aimed to reduce the centralization of power and give more autonomy to the provinces.