Comprehension
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that
follow :
What the sepoys thought
This is one of the arzis (petition or application) of rebel sepoys that have survived :
A century ago the British arrived in Hindostan and gradually entertained troops in their service, and became masters of every state. Our forefathers have always served them, and we also entered their service ... By the mercy of God and with our assistance the British also conquered every place they liked, in which thousands of us, Hindostani men were sacrificed, but we never made any excuses or pretences nor revolted ... But in the year eighteen fifty seven the British issued an order that new cartridges and muskets which had arrived from England were to be issued; in the former of which the fats of cows and pigs were mixed; and also that attah of wheat mixed with powdered bones was to be eaten; and even distributed them in every Regiment of infantry, cavalry and artillery ...
They gave these cartridges to the sowars (mounted soldiers) of the 3
rd Light Cavalry, and ordered them to bite them; the troopers objected to it, and said that they would never bite them, for if they did, their religion and faith would be destroyed ... upon this the British officers paraded the men of the 3 Regiments and having prepared 1,400 English soldiers, and other Battalions of European troops and Horse Artillery, surrounded them, and placing six guns before each of the infantry regiments, loaded the guns with grape and made 84 new troopers prisoners, and put them in jail with irons on them ... The reason that the sowars of the Cantonment were put into jail was that we should be frightened into biting the new cartridges. On this account we and all our country-men having united together, have fought the British for the preservation of our faith ... we have been compelled to make war for two years and the Rajahs and Chiefs who are with us in faith and religion, are still so, and have undergone all sorts of trouble; we have fought for two years in order that our faith and religion may not be polluted. If the religion of a Hindoo or Mussalman is lost, what remains in the world ?
What the sepoys thought
This is one of the arzis (petition or application) of rebel sepoys that have survived :
A century ago the British arrived in Hindostan and gradually entertained troops in their service, and became masters of every state. Our forefathers have always served them, and we also entered their service ... By the mercy of God and with our assistance the British also conquered every place they liked, in which thousands of us, Hindostani men were sacrificed, but we never made any excuses or pretences nor revolted ... But in the year eighteen fifty seven the British issued an order that new cartridges and muskets which had arrived from England were to be issued; in the former of which the fats of cows and pigs were mixed; and also that attah of wheat mixed with powdered bones was to be eaten; and even distributed them in every Regiment of infantry, cavalry and artillery ...
They gave these cartridges to the sowars (mounted soldiers) of the 3
rd Light Cavalry, and ordered them to bite them; the troopers objected to it, and said that they would never bite them, for if they did, their religion and faith would be destroyed ... upon this the British officers paraded the men of the 3 Regiments and having prepared 1,400 English soldiers, and other Battalions of European troops and Horse Artillery, surrounded them, and placing six guns before each of the infantry regiments, loaded the guns with grape and made 84 new troopers prisoners, and put them in jail with irons on them ... The reason that the sowars of the Cantonment were put into jail was that we should be frightened into biting the new cartridges. On this account we and all our country-men having united together, have fought the British for the preservation of our faith ... we have been compelled to make war for two years and the Rajahs and Chiefs who are with us in faith and religion, are still so, and have undergone all sorts of trouble; we have fought for two years in order that our faith and religion may not be polluted. If the religion of a Hindoo or Mussalman is lost, what remains in the world ?
Question: 1
How did the sepoys justify their rebellion in the ‘arzi’ (petition) ?
How did the sepoys justify their rebellion in the ‘arzi’ (petition) ?
Show Hint
• The 'arzis' show that the sepoys did not see themselves as mere mutineers but as defenders of a sacred tradition.
• The language used in these petitions often highlights a sense of betrayal by the British "masters."
• The language used in these petitions often highlights a sense of betrayal by the British "masters."
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• The 'arzis' were petitions written by rebel sepoys to document their grievances and articulate the reasons for their collective uprising.
• These documents provide a crucial perspective on the conflict between traditional religious values and colonial military innovations.
Step 1: Highlighting a century of loyal service
The sepoys pointed out that they and their forefathers had served the British faithfully for a hundred years since their arrival in Hindostan.
They emphasized that through their sacrifices and assistance, the British had conquered various states without the sepoys ever making excuses or revolting previously.
Step 2: Identifying the threat to religious identity
The primary justification for the rebellion was the perceived attempt by the British to destroy their religion.
The sepoys cited the introduction of new cartridges greased with cow and pig fat and the mixing of bone dust in wheat flour (*attah*) as deliberate acts to "pollute" both Hindus and Muslims.
They argued that since their faith was being lost, they were compelled to unite and fight for its preservation.
• The 'arzis' were petitions written by rebel sepoys to document their grievances and articulate the reasons for their collective uprising.
• These documents provide a crucial perspective on the conflict between traditional religious values and colonial military innovations.
Step 1: Highlighting a century of loyal service
The sepoys pointed out that they and their forefathers had served the British faithfully for a hundred years since their arrival in Hindostan.
They emphasized that through their sacrifices and assistance, the British had conquered various states without the sepoys ever making excuses or revolting previously.
Step 2: Identifying the threat to religious identity
The primary justification for the rebellion was the perceived attempt by the British to destroy their religion.
The sepoys cited the introduction of new cartridges greased with cow and pig fat and the mixing of bone dust in wheat flour (*attah*) as deliberate acts to "pollute" both Hindus and Muslims.
They argued that since their faith was being lost, they were compelled to unite and fight for its preservation.
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Question: 2
How did the British introduce the new cartridges ?
How did the British introduce the new cartridges ?
Show Hint
• Biting the cartridge was a mandatory part of the loading process for the Enfield rifle.
• The lack of transparency regarding the composition of the grease fueled the sepoys' worst fears.
• The lack of transparency regarding the composition of the grease fueled the sepoys' worst fears.
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• The introduction of the Enfield rifle and its specific ammunition was a key technical change that had unintended social consequences.
• The British administrative approach to this change was characterized by a lack of consultation and a reliance on military discipline.
Step 1: Systematic distribution across all regiments
In 1857, the British issued a general order to distribute new cartridges and muskets that had arrived from England.
These were distributed to every regiment of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery, signaling a universal change in military equipment.
Step 2: Coercive implementation and punishment at Meerut
At places like Meerut, the British attempted to force the *sowars* (cavalrymen) of the 3rd Light Cavalry to use the cartridges by ordering them to bite the grease-coated paper.
When the soldiers refused on religious grounds, the British officers arrested 84 troopers, put them in irons, and imprisoned them to serve as an example to others. This act of force directly triggered the outbreak of the revolt.
• The introduction of the Enfield rifle and its specific ammunition was a key technical change that had unintended social consequences.
• The British administrative approach to this change was characterized by a lack of consultation and a reliance on military discipline.
Step 1: Systematic distribution across all regiments
In 1857, the British issued a general order to distribute new cartridges and muskets that had arrived from England.
These were distributed to every regiment of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery, signaling a universal change in military equipment.
Step 2: Coercive implementation and punishment at Meerut
At places like Meerut, the British attempted to force the *sowars* (cavalrymen) of the 3rd Light Cavalry to use the cartridges by ordering them to bite the grease-coated paper.
When the soldiers refused on religious grounds, the British officers arrested 84 troopers, put them in irons, and imprisoned them to serve as an example to others. This act of force directly triggered the outbreak of the revolt.
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Question: 3
Why did the sepoys and Indian chiefs work together ?
Why did the sepoys and Indian chiefs work together ?
Show Hint
• This cooperation is a rare example of "vertical integration" in an Indian anti-colonial struggle.
• The inclusion of chiefs gave the revolt the character of a "popular rebellion" in regions like Awadh.
• The inclusion of chiefs gave the revolt the character of a "popular rebellion" in regions like Awadh.
Updated On: Sep 9, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Concept:
• The 1857 Revolt was not just a military mutiny but a broader socio-political uprising that saw the collaboration of different classes.
• The alliance between the soldiers and the traditional elite was based on a shared sense of existential threat.
Step 1: Shared religious and cultural mission
Both the sepoys and the Indian Rajahs/Chiefs felt that their "faith and religion" were under attack by British policies of annexation and social reform.
They believed that the British intended to pollute their caste and religion to eventually convert them to Christianity. This shared fear created a powerful ideological bond between the two groups.
Step 2: Mutual political and military dependence
The sepoys required leaders with political authority and financial resources to provide a legitimate alternative to British rule.
The Rajahs and Chiefs, many of whom had lost their lands or pensions (like Nana Sahib), needed a disciplined military force to reclaim their power.
By working together, they aimed to restore the old order and ensure that their "faith and religion may not be polluted."
• The 1857 Revolt was not just a military mutiny but a broader socio-political uprising that saw the collaboration of different classes.
• The alliance between the soldiers and the traditional elite was based on a shared sense of existential threat.
Step 1: Shared religious and cultural mission
Both the sepoys and the Indian Rajahs/Chiefs felt that their "faith and religion" were under attack by British policies of annexation and social reform.
They believed that the British intended to pollute their caste and religion to eventually convert them to Christianity. This shared fear created a powerful ideological bond between the two groups.
Step 2: Mutual political and military dependence
The sepoys required leaders with political authority and financial resources to provide a legitimate alternative to British rule.
The Rajahs and Chiefs, many of whom had lost their lands or pensions (like Nana Sahib), needed a disciplined military force to reclaim their power.
By working together, they aimed to restore the old order and ensure that their "faith and religion may not be polluted."
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