The 19th century was marked by the English world hegemony in the economic and political spheres. During this period, several countries in Asia were politically, economically and culturally dominated by England, which aimed to search for raw material, labor and the consumer market. The British colonized vast territories, from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, in order to increase their commercial power vis-à-vis other industrialized countries.
India was the colony that was most influenced by British imperialist policy, as it went through cultural transformations promoted by contact with the settlers, who controlled this region until half of the 20th century. In addition, Indians were also influenced in the economic sphere, as local merchants were harmed by industrial competition from England.
To control their interests, the British forced the young Indians to be enlist in the East India Company army. These soldiers became known as vines and aimed to ensure safety for the transport and sale of products from England. The number of sepoy soldiers increased until reaching 200,000 members and, along with that, the discontent with the
low wages; O tax payment made by them also grew.The large contingent of soldiers helped them to build a movement against the settlers, even though they had enviable military power. One of the reasons for the conflict, which started in 1857, was the fact that the cartridges of British weapons were coated with animal grease. This practice of using animal fat in weapons was contrary to Indian beliefs and, therefore, seen as inadequate by the Indians, who even prohibited the consumption of beef.
With the explosion of the movement, several English officers were persecuted and murdered by the members of the sepoys. The movement's leaders were against the British political and economic administration. However, from 1859, the sepoys were militarily controlled, and in the year 1876, the prime minister Britain's Benjamin Disraeli intensified Indian colonization, further increasing the influence there. region.
By Fabricio Santos
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/guerra-dos-cipaios-na-india.htm
