Q. An Act passed in 1856 decreed that all future recruits to the Bengal army would have to give an undertaking to serve anywhere, where their services will be required.
This was the
(a) General Act
(b) General Service Enlistment Act
(c) Services Act
(d) General Bhatta Act
Ans: (b) General Service Enlistment Act
Explanation: The correct option is (b) General Service Enlistment Act. The General Service Enlistment Act passed in the year 1856 contained the provision that mandated soldiers or recruits of the Bengal Army to serve within or outside India when ordered. It meant that they were to sent overseas and sea voyages to serve. The Bengal Army mainly consisted of High Castes Hindus like Brahmins who according to their faith believed that they could lose their caste, religion, and faith if they cross the seas. This leads the sepoys to think that the Company was trying to defame their religion.
