The two economic factors which became the cause of the First War of Independence were: (i) The British trade policy in India led to the ruin of Indian trade and handicrafts. Heavy dufies were imposed on the Indian textile and goods imported to Britain and cheap manufactured goods were sold in India. This resulted in the ruin of Indian textile and handicraft industry, leaving many artisans unemployed. (ii) The exploitation of the farmers under zamindari system. Land revenues were high and non payment of the same due to various reasons led to the ejections of farmers from land. This caused discontentment among cultivators.