Answer The Following Question.
1. What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Ans:
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi demanded that her adopted son be recognised as the legal heir to the throne of Jhansi. However, under Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse policy, the British refused to accept an adopted child as a rightful heir. Consequently, the British annexed Jhansi, rejecting her demand.
2. What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?
Ans:
To safeguard the interests of converts to Christianity, the British passed a law in 1850 that allowed Indian converts to inherit ancestral property. They also permitted Christian missionaries to operate freely and acquire land. These measures caused resentment among Indians, who believed the British were attempting to undermine their traditional culture and religion.
3. What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?
Ans:
The sepoys objected to the new cartridges as they believed these were greased with the fat of cows and pigs. Biting the cartridges, a necessary step before loading, was against the religious beliefs of both Hindus and Muslims. This religious violation led them to refuse the cartridges.
4. How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?
Ans:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, lived his final years in exile. After the 1857 revolt was suppressed, he was tried by the British, blinded, and sent to Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma, along with his wife. Stripped of his power and title, he lived as a prisoner until his death in 1862.
5. What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?
Ans:
The British rulers were confident about their position in India due to:
a. The weakening of the Mughal Empire after Aurangzeb’s death.
b. The disunity among Indian rulers, which allowed the British to conquer states easily.
c. Policies like the Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse, which facilitated territorial expansion without extensive military action.
d. Their belief in their military superiority and administrative efficiency.
6. What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support for the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families?
Ans:
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support for the 1857 rebellion inspired confidence among Indian rulers and people. His endorsement united various leaders across the country, as many still respected the symbolic authority of the Mughal dynasty. His call for a confederation motivated rulers, chieftains, and common people to join the revolt against the British.
7. How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?
Ans:
The British secured the submission of rebel landowners in Awadh using two strategies:
a. Rebel landowners who resisted were executed, creating fear among others.
b. Loyal landowners were rewarded with protection and the retention of their lands, provided they agreed to British terms and had not harmed British officials.
8. In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?
Ans:
The British implemented several policy changes after the 1857 rebellion:
a. The East India Company’s rule ended, and the administration was transferred to the British Crown.
b. The Doctrine of Lapse policy was abandoned.
c. The Indian army was reorganised, reducing the number of Indian sepoys to prevent future uprisings.
d. Landowners and zamindars were given more privileges to ensure their loyalty.
e. The British promised non-interference in Indian religions and social customs.
f. A Viceroy was appointed to represent the Crown, along with a Secretary of State for India to oversee governance.