Question

Who was responsible for introducing Enfield rifles that used the greased cartridges which became the immediate reason of 1857 revolt?
1. Henry Hardinge
2. Captain Hearsey
3. Francis Grant
4. Lord William Bentinck

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Henry Hardinge

The correct answer is Henry Hardinge.

• Immediate Reason of Revolt of 1857:
  • The immediate factor was the introduction of the Enfield rifle.
  • The cartridge had to be bitten off before loading it into the gun.
  • Henry Hardinge, who was governor-general of India from 1844 to 1848, attempted to modernize the army's equipment as governor-general. The Enfield rifles that were first introduced used the greased cartridges that the Sepoys had rebelled against. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
  • Muslims had a belief that the cartridge was greased with pig fat where Hindus believed the grease was made from cow fat.
  • Thus the Hindu and Muslim soldiers were reluctant to use the ‘Enfield’ rifle. This was a flashpoint to enrage the soldiers against the Britishers.
  • This was believed to be the immediate factor for the revolt of 1857.

• Lord Hardinge (1844-48):
  • First Sikh war (1845-1846)
  • Treaty of Lahore (1846) - end of Sikh sovereignty in India
  • Prohibition of female infanticide and human sacrifice among Gonds of central India
• Lieutenant General Sir John Bennet Hearsey:
  • He was a commanding officer during the revolt of 1857 in Barrackpore.
• Sir Francis Grant:
  • He was a Scottish portrait painter who painted Queen Victoria and many distinguished British aristocratic and political figures.
  • He served as President of the Royal Academy.
• Lord William Bentinck(1828-1835):
  • First Governor-General of India as per the rules in the Charter Act of 1833.
  • He abolished the Sati system, suppressed the Thugee system along with infanticide and child sacrifices.
  • It was in his regime the English Education Act of 1835 was proposed and Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata was established.