What was a political cause of the Indian rebellion of 1857

Question

A. India is a diverse region with many competing ethnic and religious interest
B. The British East India company gained greater control through its doctrine of lapse
C. A rumor spread that animal fat was being used to grease rifle cartridges causing Muslims and Hindus to revolt
D. The British East India Company undermine the traditional Hindu caste system

Answer 1

The most relevant political cause of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 from the options provided is:

B. The British East India Company gained greater control through its doctrine of lapse.

The doctrine of lapse was a policy that allowed the British East India Company to annex states where the ruler was died without a direct heir. This policy created resentment among Indian princes and contributed to the discontent that fueled the rebellion. While option C also references a key trigger for the revolt (the rumor about animal fat), option B directly addresses a political cause related to the governance and control exerted by the British East India Company in India.