Following the death of Bahadur Shah II, Dalhousie suggested eliminating the title of Mughal emperor.This step of Lord Dalhousie converted Awadh into a hotbed of discontent against the British. Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the pretext of maladministration, which left thousands of officials, retainers, nobles, and soldiers jobless.The Hindu regarded this as an incentive to give up one's religious faith. The Religious Disabilities Act, 1850 enabled a convert from Hinduism to other religions to inherit the property of his ancestors.In the span of eight years, The Governor-General annexed Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Jhansi (1853), Nagpur (1853), Jaipur (1849), and Bhagat (1850).She was deprived because of the violation of the Hindu law that Britishers had enacted. The pension of Nana Sahib was discontinued after the death of Baji Rao ll and Rani of Jhansi was deprived of her right to rule.The titles and pensions of some of the Indian princes were also confiscated. The Doctrine of Lapse enraged the Indian rulers against the British government immensely.
The Governor-General of India was Lord Dalhousie between 1848-1856, and under his supervision, the British added numerous territories to the British Empire in India.
The rebellion began on 10 May, 1857 in the form of a mutiny of sepoys of the Company's army in the garrison town of Meerut. The Revolt of 1857 was a stepping stone regarding the primary outburst of resentment and anger arising due to the prevailing discontent against the Britishers. The British East India Company in India functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British crown. Though it was unsuccessful, the rebellion was widespread. The Revolt of 1857, Indian Mutiny of 1857, or the First War of Independence was a major uprising against the British regime.