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Lack of a Unified Programme and Ideology
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- The rebellion swept off the British system of government and administration in India, but they had no forward-looking plan in mind. This made them rely on the outmoded feudal system with Bahadur Shah at its head.
- This system had lost its vitality and was unable to withstand the onslaught of the British.
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Lack of Unity among Indians
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- While the sepoys of the Bengal army were revolting, some soldiers in Punjab and south India fought on the side of the British to crush these rebellions.
- No accompanying rebellions in most of eastern and southern India.
- The Sikhs did not support the rebels because of the possibility of the revival of Mughal authority.
- Besides this, there were some elements of the peasantry that had profited from British rule and supported the British during the revolt.
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Lack of Support from the Educated Indians
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- They did not support the revolt because, in their view, the revolt was backwards-looking, and they mistakenly believed that the British would lead the country towards modernisation.
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Military Superiority of the British
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- British imperialism, which was at the height of its influence throughout the world and was backed by the majority of Indian princes and chiefs, proved to be militarily superior to the rebels.
- While the rebels lacked discipline and central command.
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