There was great dissatisfaction with British rule in the 1870 and 1880 some of the reasons for dissatisfaction are as follows:

a) They thought that the British were exercising control over the resources of India and the lives of its people.

b) The Arms Act which was passed in 1878, disallowing Indians from possessing arms.

c) In the same year Vernacular Press Act was also enacted in an effort to silence those who were critical of the government. The Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspaper published anything that was objectionable.

d) The Ilbert Bill was passed which provided for the trial of British or European individuals by the Indians and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country. However, the white opposition forced the government to withdraw the bill. This enraged the Indians further.