Detailed Summary
In the mid-19th century, the disintegration of authority and dignity of rulers in India under British rule culminated in widespread discontent among both peasants and sepoys. The section highlights the gradual erosion of power among the nawabs and rajas due to the policies of the East India Company, where royal families sought recognition and protection but were largely ignored.
In the rural landscape, peasants and zamindars were burdened with high taxes enforced through rigid revenue collection methods. Many peasants defaulted on loans, leading to the loss of ancestral lands and financial stability. Simultaneously, Indian sepoys in the Company’s army grew increasingly dissatisfied due to unfair pay, poor service conditions, and new military regulations that contradicted their religious beliefs, particularly the incident involving new rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat.
The interconnection between the grievances of peasants and sepoys intensified their collective resistance, as many sepoys hailed from peasant families. This unity led to significant uprisings, particularly in 1857, where sepoys mutinied, culminating in the proclamation of Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader during the rebellion. Concerns about the British intentions to abolish traditional customs and religious practices further inflamed the rebellion, demonstrating a shift from discontent to organized resistance against colonial oppression.