NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: The Great Uprising

Question: In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?

Answer: As a result of the rebellion of 1857, the British changed their policies. Following are the important changes that the British made:

1. The powers of the East India Company, was transferred to the British Crown in order to ensure a more responsible management of Indian affairs.
2. The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy, that is, a personal representative of the Crown.
3. All ruling chiefs of the country were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future. They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs, including adopted son. But they had to acknowledge the British queen as their Sovereign Paramount.
4. It was decided that the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and the number of European soliders would be increased. It was also decided that instead of recruiting soldiers from Awadh, Bihar, Central India and South India more soldiers would be recruited from among the Gorkhqs, Sikhs and Pathans.
5. The British decided to respect the customary religions and social practices of the people in India.

Question: Find out more about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. In what ways would she have been an unusual woman for her times?

Answer: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi played a vital role in the revolt of 1857. She fought bravely with the British force. She challenged the British law which had debarred her adopted son from being the ruler. She was one of the great forces behind the revolt against the British. The matchless courage that she showed is rare.

Question: Under what pretext did the Company take over Awadh?

Answer: In 1801, a subsidiary alliance was imposed on Awadh, and in 1856, it was taken over. Governor-General Dalhousie declared that the territory was being misgoverned and British rule was needed to ensure proper administration.

Question: How did the Company plan to bring an end to the Mughal dynasty?

Answer:

1. First of all the name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the Company.
2. In 1849, Governor-General Dalhousie announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort and given another place in Delhi to live in.
3. In 1856, Governor-General “Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king and after his death his descendants would be known as princes.

Question: Why were the Indian sepoys in the employ of the Company discontented? Give sufficient reasons.

Answer: Reasons for their discontentment:

1. The Indian sepoys were given poor salaries and allowances.
2. The conditions of service also made them unhappy.
3. Some of the new rules even violated their religious sentiments and beliefs.
4. Those were the days when many people in the country believed that if they crossed the sea they would lose their religion and caste. So when in 1824 the sepoys were told to go to Burma by the sea route to fight for the Company, they refused to follow this order. As a result they were given severe punishment. What is more, in 1856, the Company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the^ Company’s army had to agree to serve overseas if required.