Read the passage answer the questions :
The reason for the similarity in the pattern of the revolt in the different places lay partly in its planning and coordination. It is clear that there was communication between the sepoy lines of various cantonments. After the 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry had refused to accept the new cartridges in early May, they wrote to the 48th Native Infantry that "they had acted for the faith and awaited the 48th's orders". Sepoys or their emissaries moved from one station to another. People were thus planning and talking about the rebellion.

Why did the 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry refuse to accept new cartridges?
1. Because cartridges were coated with the fat of cows and pigs.
2. Because the British asked them to shoot at peasants.
3. Because of the Emperor Bahadur Shah was imprisoned.
4. Because there was a famine.

1

Cartridges of Enfield Rifle, which were rumoured to be coated with the fat of pigs and cows were the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857.

The 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry refused to accept the new cartridges primarily because they believed that the cartridges were coated with the fat of cows and pigs. This belief offended the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, as consuming such animal fat was against their respective religious practices. Therefore, the correct option is: Because cartridges were coated with the fat of cows and pigs.