Question

The Governor General who introduced Enfield rifles using greased cartridges was_________:

• A. Henry Hardinge
• B. Francis Grant
• C. Captain Wright
• D. Walker Hardinge

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Henry Hardinge introduced the Enfield rifles with greased cartridges, sparking religious outrage and the 1857 revolt.

Answer 2

Henry Hardinge, the then Governor-General of India, played a significant role in the events leading up to the 1857 Revolt (also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence). One of the most controversial decisions made during his tenure was the introduction of the Enfield rifles with greased cartridges, which sparked widespread religious outrage.

The Enfield rifles required soldiers to bite off the ends of the cartridges before loading them into the weapon. The cartridges were rumored to be greased with animal fat, including pork and beef fat, which deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. For Hindus, the use of beef fat was sacrilegious, and for Muslims, the use of pork fat was equally offensive. This issue became a focal point of discontent among the sepoys, who saw it as an affront to their religious beliefs and a violation of their cultural practices.

The discontent over the greased cartridges was one of the key factors that triggered the rebellion in 1857, as sepoys at the Meerut Cantonment refused to use the cartridges, leading to protests and violence. The rebellion quickly spread across northern and central India, becoming a large-scale revolt against British rule.

While the introduction of the Enfield rifles was not the sole cause of the 1857 uprising, it played a critical role in sparking the initial unrest, which eventually led to a broader movement against British colonial rule. The revolt itself was a turning point in Indian history, as it marked the first major attempt to overthrow British control in India.