.

THE INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT (1857-1917)

Chapter
The First War of
1 Independence, 1857
classes were dispossessed of their power; the
The ndian Nalional Movement (1857-1917) peasantry was deprived of its land rights; and
The first War of Independence, 1857 the artisans lost their livelihood. The middle and
Ony the causes (political, socio-religious, economic and upper-classes of Indian society, particularly in
milary) and consequences will be tested. (The events, northern India, were annoyed because of their
B however need to be mentioned in order to maintain exclusion from the well-paid higher posts in
continuity and for a more comprehensive understanding.J the administration. Men who followed cultural
or religious activities, like priests and scholars,
found themselves without income as they lost
The process of the British conquest of India their patrons the Indian rulers, princes
which began from mid-18th century and the and zamindars, who had thernselves lost their
Subsequent consolidation of British rule was authority. The company's Indian soldiers were
resented by the Indians belonging to all the discontent with their low salary, hard life and
seoments of Indian society kings, queens the ill-treatment meted out to them by the
peasants, landlords, tribals and soldiers. Hardly British officers. Thus, by l857, conditions were
a year passed till 1857 when some part of ripe for a mass uprising and the accumulated
the country or the other did not rise in revolt grievances of the people burst forth in the form
against the policies and actions of the British of the First War of
Independence.
that harmed their interests or went against
their sentiments. However, these rebellions were Political Causes
local, scattered and isolated. They did not pose The political reasons which antagonised the
a serious threat to the British. Nonetheless, these Indian rulers were the following:
revolts established a local tradition of struggle 1. Policy of Expansion: The British policy
against the foreign rule. of territorial expansion and gradual annexation of
This resentment to the British rule culminated the native Indian States was one of the major
in the First War of Independence in 1857, in grievances of the Indian rulers. Ever since the
which millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers Battle of Plassey (June 1757), the East India
participated. It shook the British government to
its very foundation.

CAUSES OF THE FIRST WAR

OF INDEPENDENCE
The first hundred years of the British rule in
India i.e., from 1757 to 1857, were marked
by British conquests and rapid expansion of
their dominion in India. The combined effect
of the British expansionist policies, economic
exploitation and administrative changes adversely
affected all segments of Indian society. The ruling An Artist's Impression of The First War of Independence

The First War of Independence, 1857 9

Company's territorial power increased rapidly. The
The British tried to expand their political power
in India by four ways, Le., by outright wars, by Forerunners
of Independence to the
Before the
First Wa
there were First
the system of Subsidiary Alliance, by adopting War of
the Doctrine of Lapse and on the pretext of
alleged misrule.
parts of
a
number of
the
are, what the country. Inrebel
dependence
lions
Prominent in of
1857,
(n) By Outright Wars: To expand their Mutiny and the British
The Vellore Santhal
referred to
Revolt. amongdif erent
as, the these
territorial power in India and to safeguard their
economic and political interests the British sepoys stormed the
daughters
Mutiny began
of Tipu fort where the
when Vel ore
waged many wars against the Indian rulers
of different states. The Battle of Buxar (1764)
had been
lodged everSultan and theirsons and
since
Indian
Surfarernnderilies
at
established the British as masters of Bengal, Shrirangapattana in 1799their
Mysore War). It was caused b (Fourth
Bihar and Odisha. As a result of their success new British
in regulations that
by
asked Angloat
resentmchanges
ent
in Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767 to 1799), the East
caste
headgear and prohibition of for
India Company annexed most of the territories of marks for the
this mutiny lasted forIndian ornaments and
troops.
the Mysore State. After the Third Anglo-Maratha
War (1817-18), the Peshwa's entire dominions 1806), it displayed the
the Indian sepoys,
a single
growing day Alt
(July
discontent
hough
10,
Mustamong
both Hindus and
and all Maratha territory north and south of against the British colonial rule.
the Narmada river were acquired by the British.
The Punjab was annexed in 1849 after the
The Santhal Revolt
when 10,000 Santhal men began on June 30, 1855 lims,
Sikhs wvere defeated in the Second Anglo-Sikh Sidhu and Kanhu, assembledand women, led br.
at the Bhognadih
War. From 1823 to 1856, the British further village (Jharkhand) and pledged to
exploitative uproot the
rule of the Dikus (outsiders)
extended their empire by conquering Sindh, all. They revolted against once for
territories of Assam, Arakan and Tenasserim the British tax regime
and the exploitation by the local
and Pegu in Myanmar. had encroached upon their lands zamindars who
and affected
(b) By Subsidiary Alliance: Some Indian their livelihoods. The Santhals installed
own administration which denied taxes totheir the
States were brought under the British control British and money to the zamindars. This
without actually annexing them. This was done struggle intensified and about 60,000 people
by following the Subsidiary Alliance,introduced comprising 32 communities both tribal and
by Lord Wellesley. Subsidiary Alliance was non-tribal participated in it. The tribals used
an agreement between the British East India traditional weapons and tactics which were no
Company and the Indian Princely States by virtue match to the British artillery. They forced the
British to pass the Santhal Parganas Tenancy
of which these states lost their sovereignty (the Act (1876) prohibiting the transfer of tribal
power of a ruler to rule independently without lands to non-tribals.
any outside interference) to the British. Under Hul (literally meaning revolution) Diwas is
this system, the Indian rulers, who agreed to celebrated on June 30 every year in Jharkhand
the Subsidiary Alliance to mark this movement.
(i) accepted the British as the supreme power;
(iv) agreed to maintain British troops at their
(iü) surrendered their foreign relations to the OWn cost: and
East India Company and agreed that they
would not enter into any alliance with any (v) virtually lost their independence.
other power and would not wage wars; The kingdom of Awadh (Oudh) was the
first to enter into an alliance like this through
(ii) accepted a British Resident at their the Treaty of Allababad in 1765 by which the
headquarters and agreed not to employ any Company undertook to defend the frontiers
Buropean in their service without consulting of Awadh on the condition that the Nawab
the Company;
of
of such
Awadh would pay for the expenses

10 Total History & Civics-10

defence. However, Awadh was annexed on the
1856. The other States
misrule in
pretext of the Subsidiary Alliance were
whích acceptedHyderabad, the ruler of
the Nizam of Mysore,
Tanjore, the Sindhia and the Rajput
the Raja ofJodhpur, Jaipur, Macheri, Bundi and
States of
Bharatpur.
the Ruler of
ic) By Using the Doctrine of Lapse: Lord
Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India,
annexed many Indian States to the Company
Lapse. According to this
using the Doctrine of ruler Lord Dalhousle
died without a male Lord Wellesley
Doctrine, if an Indian
heir, his kingdom would lapse', that is, it would misgoverned and British rule was needed to
come under the Company's territory in India. ensure proper adrministration.
When the ruler of Jhansi died in 1853. Lord Dalhousie justified the annexation
leaving no natural heir, the widowed Rani was of Awadh on the pretext of "the good of the
pensioned and their adopted son, Anand Rao, governed.' On the contrary, the people of Awadh,
was not recognised as a lawful successor tothe had to face more hardships.
throne. The other prominent States which were They had to pay higher land revenue and
annexed by applying this Doctrine were Satara, additional taxes on food, houses and ferries.
Jaitpur, Sambalpur, Udaipur and Nagpur. The " The dissolution of the Nawab of Awadh's
principle of Lapse was also applied to take away
the titles and pensions of the rulers of some army and administration threw thousands
States. Regal titles of the Nawabs of Carnatic of nobles, officials and soldiers out of jobs.
and Tanjore were taken away. This caused The British confiscated the estates of the
discontent among the rulers as well as among taluqdars or zamindars. The dispossessed
the people in general. taluqdars became the opponents of the
British rule.
The rulers of Indian States believed that their
States were annexed not by the application of " The company's sepoys, of whom 75,000
Doctrine of Lapse but by the lapse of all morals' were from Awadh, were the worst affected.
on the part of the British. These soldiers had helped the British to
conquer the rest of India. But they resented
(a) On the Pretext of Alleged Misrule: In the fact that their homelands had come
1856, Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh to the
under foreign rule. The annexation of
Company's dominions on the pretext of alleged Awadh also affected the soldier's financial
misrule. He declared that Awadh was being
position. They had to pay higher taxes on
the land their families held in Awadh.
Enraged by the humiliating way in which
the Nawab of Awadh was deposed, the people of
Awadh joined the uprising that broke in 1857.
Awadh played a major role in the Uprising of
1857.
2. Disrespect Shown to Bahadur Shah:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal ruler, was
under the protection of the Company and
received a pension from the British. The name
of the Mughal King was removed from the coins
Rani Laxmi Bai minted by the Company.

The First War of Independence, 1857 11

 India, had in
The revenues course of time settled
they
were spent in
India collect
[Link]
Britain, the Indians felt But in
from the in
India
ruled from England andthat they case ofthe
were Indians
being drained to
their welfare. India's
England and not wealth beinwasg
utilised for
Socio-Religious
The British
Causes
in the social government'
and s attempt to
Bahadur Shah Zafar Zeenat Mahal led to the religious life of
the
widespread fear among the inInditerfearnse
1.
In 1849, Lord Dalhousie announced that Interference
Some of the social with Social masses.
successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar would not be
permitted to use the Red Fort as their palace. the British in
India
the conditions of the
reformns
were aimed
people. at
Customs:by
introduced
They were required to shift to a place near the
Qutab Minar. introducing such reforms the
people were not taken into
improving
However, of whithele
feelings
reforms consideration.
In 1856, Lord Canning announced that after
result was that the
the death of Bahadur Shah, his successors of Sati like the The
would not be allowed to use the imperial titles (1829), the Abolition
introduction of the Widot
with their names and would be known as mere Remarriage Act (1856) and the
princes. This decision of the British hurt the
Western education
by the masses.
to girls were not opening of
welcomed
feelings of the Mughals. Consequently, Zeenat
2.
Mahal, the wife of Bahadur Shah, began plotting
against them.
Apprehensions
Innovations: about Modern
People were suspicious of
3. Treatment Given to Nana Saheb: Nana introduction
of modern
innovations like
Saheb was the adopted son of Baji Kao railways and telegraph. There were rumours
that telegraph poles were erected to hang
the last Peshwa. The British refused to grant those who
Nana Saheb the pension they were payin8 to were against the British rule.
Baji Rao I. Nana Saheb was forced to live Similarly, orthodox Indians noted that in
the railway compartments the higher
at Kanpur, far away from his family seat at and the lower castes were made to sit castes
Poona (Pune). This was widely resented in the by side
Maratha region. Nana Saheb had inherited wealth
side. They believed that the British had
from the former Peshwa, which he utilised in introduced such practices to defy their caste
sending emissaries to different parts of the and religion.
country for generating awareness among the
Indians about the British policies. Nana Saheb
also travelled between Delhi and Lucknow to
gather support for the movement.
Other Indian rulers, who were not adversely
affected, also became suspicious of their future.
4.
Absentee Sovereignty of the British:
Absentee Sovereignty of the British means that
India was being ruled by the British government
from England, at a distance ofthousands of miles.
This was resented by the Indians. The earlier
rulers like the Mughals, who had conquered Baji Rao l Nana Saheb

12 Total History & Civics-10

 Chinhat
Raclal D0scrimination: The The Battle of
3, Polley of Chínhat fought on
were rude and arrogant towards The Battle of June30, 1857 near
British officers believed that they were superior
They the morrning of was a significant
theIndians. and followed a policy of contempt Ismailganj (close to Lucknow)
Indians
They dubbed the Mughals Uprísing of 1857. The
to
towardsthe Indians. engagement during the
officers Company's army was led by Sir
cruel and unfaithful. Some European Bast Indía
the Chief
Commissioner of
as Indians. Such acts of
ill-treated and insultedalienated the British from Henry Lawrence, received information about a
[Link] had
unjust
discriminatíon
troop of rebels heading towards Lucknow.
the Indian masses. small victory, directly
Administration: The Lawrence, confident about his the sepoys on the
4, Corruption in led his troops to confrontncaring Ismailganj,
officials were corrupt. The rich
police and pettycrime but the common man was
battlefield. However, on attack from both
away with the British army came under Barkat Ahmad,
and tortured. sides. The Indians, led by of local
looted, oppressed comprising sepoys and retainers
5. Oppression of the Poor: The complex landowners, outnumbered the British troops
enabled the rich to oppress the by a few thousands.
judicial system imprisonment of casualties
poor. Flogging, torture and The British army suffered several
of and faced a heavy blow when many of their
ultivators for their inability to pay arrears artillerymen,
interest on debt were soldiers, particularly the Indian
rent, land revenue and Lawrence
quite common. Thus, the growing
poverty made switched sides to join the Indians. the
join a general ordered a retreat towards Lucknow and
the poor desperate and led them totheir lot. army took shelter at the British Residency. Sir
uprising in the hope of improving Henry Lawrence was mortally wounded and
British
6. Activities of Missionaries: The died two days later.
religion and
were different from Indians in race, The resounding victory of the rebelsand at
sentiments. In the 18th century, the British Chinhat allowed them to take over Lucknow
showed a friendly attitude towards Indian lay siege to the Lucknow Residency. The victory
religions. They had no particular zeal for their at this battle demonstrated the determination
own religion and the Company even acted as and strength of the Indian forces against the
trustees of some Hindu temples. However, in British, thus, playing a crucial role in the early
stages of the Uprising.
the 19th century, this attitude underwent a
change. The British began to interfere with Every year various activists and members of
social and cultural organisations celebrate this
the local religious and social customs. They
denounced idol worship and dubbed local beliefs glorious victory of Indians over colonial rulers
and commemorate the common heritage and
as ignorance. sacrifice' for which Lucknow is famous.
The Charter Act (1813) led to an increase both
in the numbers and activities of the Christian
missionaries. The Indians thought that the by the people, especially the Pandits and the
Government was supporting missionaries who Maulvis. They saw in it an attempt to discourage
would convert them to Christianity. traditional Islarmic and Hindu studies. People
started suspecting that the aim of Western
7. Fears Regarding Western Education: education was not to promote literature and
The Western system of education was introduced sciences but to encourage their children to
in a number of schools. In 1829, the Bengal become Christians.
Government established an English class in
the Calcutta Madrasa, which was a Muslim 8. Taxing Rellgious Places: Religious
institution. Later, English classes were sentiments of the Indians were hurt by the
introduced in Benaras Sanskrit College. The official policy of taxing lands belonging to
shifting of emphasis from oriental learning temples and mosques. Such lands had been
to Western education was not received well exempted from taxation by previous Indian

The First War of Independence, 1857 13

 nalers. The families dependent on these lands,
India's
raw
began to propagate that the British were trying by
to undermine the religions of India. Britain. materials,
The
to England for whichtransferresources and wealth
of wealth
9, Law of Property: The Religious Disabilities India
return, is called thegot no
economic from Indin
Act of 1850 changed the Hindu Law of Property. The drain
It enabled a convert from Hinduism to other savings of included the
religions to inherit the property of his father. in India on the
DDr ainpropofortionate
Englishmen, salaBrrieits,ishincomesWeaalntdh
the
The Hindus regarded this as an incentive to give purchase of military expenditofurfiec
up one's religious faith. establishment,on interest
expenditure the army, [Link], goods,
on
Economic Causes 3. Decay of
Cottage un eces ary
The most important reason for the Handicrafts: Heavy
popular and cotton textiles in duties on Indian andel
discontent was the economic exploitation by Britain
Industries
the British. The economic exploitation took the industries. On the other hand,destroyed Indian
following forms: were imported into
By the middle of India at a nominal British goods
1. Exploitation of Economic
Resources: cotton
the 19th century, exportdutyof.
The British exploited the Indian resources for ceased. and silk goods from India
their own benefits. They made agricultural India for ages The
had
art of
spinning and weaviprnag,ctiwhicallcyh
an economic colony to serve the given
interests of of artisans, became extinct. employment thousands
to
industrial England. India was forced to export,
at cheaper rates, raw materials like raw The misery of the
cotton
and raw silk that the British industries needed compounded by the
artisans was further
urgently; plantation products (like indigo and traditional patrons anddisappearance
of their
tea); and food grains which were in short supply chieftains and zamindars. buyers-the princes,
in Britain. 4. Economic Decline of
Peasantry: The
India was made to accept readymade British peasants were discontent with the oficial land
goods either duty-free or at revenue
rates, while Indian products werenominal duty land. In policy and the consequent loss of their
fact, it was the peasantry that
to high import duties in subjected the heavy burden of taxes to bore
England. The Indian for the trade provide money
handmade goods were unable to compete witn of the Company, for the cost of
the cheaper, administration and the wars of British
This ruined machine-made British
the Indian industry, products. in India. For example, expansion
in Bengal, the land revenue
the artisans
of deprived was
their income and reduced the double the amount collected under the
avenues of employment for labour. On the other Mughals. Not even a part of this revenue was
hand, export of raw materials and food grains Spent on the development of agriculture or on
deprived India of her agricultural surnlhus and the welfare of the cultivator. Increase in the land
8ea the prices of raw materials. Thus, the revenue forced many peasants into indebtedness
Change in the nature of India's trade became 0r into selling their lands. The traditional
an instrument for
exploiting India's resources. zamindars were replaced by merchants and
2. Drain of Wealth; Till moneylenders. These new landowners had no
the
Plassey (1757), the European tradersBattle
used
of noen
to
for the neasants. They
pushed reuo
bring gold into India tobuy exorbitant levels and evicted their tenants in case
silk. However, after the Indian cotton and of non-payment. The economic decline of the
the British stopped gettingconquest of Bengal, peasants affected cultivation and led to many
They began to purchase raw gold into India., famines.
industries in England from the material for their
Thetotraditiona
of Bengal and profits from surplus
duty-freerevenues
inland- rulers had givenUnemployment:
5. Growing financial support scholars,
trade. Thus, began the process of plundering preachers and men of arts. The coming of the
14 Total History &Civics-10
 Main Centres of the
Independence (1857)
First War of
INDEX
Present External
Boundary of India

Meerut
Dolhi Bareilly

Agra Lucknow
Gyefiore
Kalpl
rlhansi FaizabadBIHAR
Topic ofCancer
Eärackpore

well as
of drought, other natural calamities as
British led to the decline of such rulers and government did
oradually their patronage came to an end. Thus, bad adminístration. The British
nothing to lessen people's misery.
all those who depended on their patronage were
impoverished. 8. Decline of Landed Aristo cracy: The
When the native states were annexed to the landed aristocracy which included the taluqdars
British dominion, thousands of soldiers and and the hereditary landlords were deprived of
offñcials in administrative, military and judicial their estates. According to the provisions of
nosts became unemployed because British the Inam Commission (1852), 20,000 estates
policies excluded Indians from high posts. Al were confiscated when the landlords failed to
these people became bitter enemies of the British produce evidence like title-deeds by which they
rule in India. held the land. These confiscated lands were sold
6. Inhuman Treatment of Indigo Cultivators: by public auction to the highest bidders. Such
Indigo trade was highly profitable to the British estates were usually purchased by merchants
but the conditions under which the peasants and moneylenders who did not understand the
bad to work were inhuman. The peasants were needs of the tenants and exploited them. This
forced to cultivate only indigo in the fields drove the landed aristocracy to poverty without
chosen by the British planters. If they planted benefiting the peasantry which suffered under
anything else, their crops were destroyed, and the weight of exorbitant land revenue.
their cattle were carried off as punishment.
Military Causes
7. Poverty and Famines: British economic Several factors contributed to the change in
exploitation, decay of indigenous industries, the attitude of the Indian soldiers towards the
high taxation, the drain of wealth, stagnation
These included the following:
of agriculture and exploitation of the poor Company.
peasants reduced the Indians to extreme 1. Il-treatment of Indian soldiers: The
poverty. Famines ravaged the country in the East India Company established the British
second half of the 19th century. There were four Empire in India with the help of Indian soldiers.
major and numerous minor famines between Despite the fact that Indian soldiers were as
1765 and 1857. The famines were the result efficient as their British counterparts, they were

The First War of Independence, 1857 15

 required to serve in areas
without extra payment andaway from their
additional hBhomateas
(foreign service allowance). The
privilege ofPost Office A
of 1854 withdrew the
enjoyed by sepoys. free postage
6. Faulty Distribution
of
strategic importance like Delhi
had no British armies and and Troops: Places of
by the were
Indian soldiers. Besides, wholly held Allahabad
engaged in several wars outside England
wWas
Persian (Iranian) War, the CrimeanIndia,War [Link]., the
Chinese War. Indian
Artist's impression of Indian Sepoys in the British Army
that the British were in
soldiers had the
poorly paid, ill-fed and badly housed. British of her Indian empire dificultyonand the fsafeeleitnyg
military authorities forbade the sepoys from were, therefore, determined depended them.
wearing caste or sectarian marks, beards or a suitable time.
to strike atThey
theem at
turbans; and they showed disregard for the 7. Poor
sentiments of the sepoys. The Performance of
British army suffered majorBritish Troone.
2. General Service Enlistment Act: First Afghan War reverses in the
(1839-42),
According to traditional belief, it was ataboo (1845-49) and in the
in the
Punjab Wars
Crimean
War
tribesmen (1853-56).
for a Brahmin to cross the seas. The British In 1855-56, the Santhal
of Bi
Parliament passed the General Service Enlistment and Bengal armed with axes and
Act in 1856. As per this Act, Indian soldiers up against the bows roSe
could be sent overseas on duty. The Act did not away the British British, temporarily
rule from their sweeping
take into account the sentiment of the Indian the British area. Though
soldiers. The Brahmin soldiers saw in this a the suppressed the Santhal
danger to their caste. This led to a feeling of the disasters they suffered broke the myth Upristhating,
resentment among them. British were invincible. It further revealed to B
the Indian soldiers that the ei
3. Larger Proportion of Indians in the be defeated by the British army could
determined Indian army.
British Army: The number of British troops 8. Lower Salaries: The wages of
10
in India was never very large the Indian all
with the British
in the ratio as low as one in four thousand. soldiers were inadequate to support their families. set
Dalhousie had recommended that more British than On the other hand, the British soldiers
received more
soldiers should be recruited in the army. This eight times the salary of the Indian Ev
soldiers. to
could not come through. Thus, it made it easier
for the large number of Indian soldiers to take IMMEDIATE CAUSE by
pro
up arms against the British. Introduction of the Enfield Rifle Sha
4. BleakProspects of Promotions: In 1856, the British authorities decided to replace Wnt
All
higher positions in employment were reserved the old fashioned musket, (called the Brown Bess) urg
1or the British, irrespective of their performance by the new Enfield rifle'. The loading process ol Stat
Even the Indian soldiers formerly occunving the Enfield rifle involved bringing the cartridge to proo
high positions in the armies of native princes the mouth and biting off the top greased paper
could not rise above the rank of a Subedar. The with the teeth. after
future of the Indian soldiers was
bleak without In January 1857, there was a rumour in old
chances of promotions. aidir
5. Deprivation of Allowances: The the Bengal regiments that the greased cartridge Sons
of British dominion in India extension had the fat of cow or pig. The sepoys
adversely affected now convinced that the introduction of greased sente
the service conditions of the sepoys. They were
cartridges was a deliberate move to deule Yang
16 Total History &Civics-10
 Muslim religions as the cow is sacred to
and M is atab0o to Muslims, So,
Hindus and the pig the
Hindus and Muslim soldiers refused
both the
these cartridges and staged an uprising
to use them.
when they were forced to use
BEGINNING OF THE UPRISING
February 26,1857, the 19th Native Infantry
On Berhampur in Bengal, refused to accept the
cartridges given to them. The regiment was
other regiments,
disbanded as a warning to Began Hazrat Mahal Tarntia Tope
The sepoys feared
Mahal,
loss of their caste and Events at Lucknow: Begum Hazrat
religion if they accepted the wife of the Nawab of Awadh led the Uprising
the greased cartridges. As at Lucknow on May 30, 1857. The city was
a result Mangal Pandey, a recaptured by the British in March 1858. Begum
sepoy, led an attack on the Hazrat Mahal Aed towards the Nepal frontier.
Adjutant of the 34th Native
MANGAL PANDE
WOR. 50 Events at Kanpur: Nana Saheb led the
Infantry at Barrackpore on The British
March 29, 1857. Mangal struggle for independence at Kanpur.
1857. A large number of
court-martial, For surrendered in June
Pandey was executed after a Englishmen, women and children were captured
martyr.
his fellow sepoys he became a by an infuriated mob.
MAIN EVENTS The British defeated Nana Saheb in December,
1857. Nana Saheb fled towards Nepal. His general,
Events at Meerut: ews of the events in
Tantia Tope, escaped to Kalpi.
Bengal spread like a wild fire. On May 9. Events in Central India (Jhansi and
eighty-five sepoys refused to touch the cartridges
on the parade ground. They were sentenced to Gwalior): The battle began at Jhansi early in
1857. Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to the
10 years of rigorous imprisonment. On May 10 June,
1ortress of Jhansi in March 1858. Rani Laxmi
all the sepoys at Meerut rushed to the jail and Bai resisted but Jhansi was captured by the
set free their comrades and other convicts.
British when traitors opened the gates of the
Bvents at Delhi: The soldiers from Meerut came fortress for them. The Rani escaped from the
to Delhi the next morning. They were joined fortress on the night of April 4, 1858 to join
by the local infantry. They seized the city and Tantia Tope at Kalpi.
proclaimed the aged Mughal Emperor Bahadur The Rani died fighting the British on
Shah the emperor of India. He was coerced to June 17, 1858 at Gwalior. Tantia Tope was
write letters to all chiefs and rulers of India betrayed by the Gwalior Chief, Man Singh and
urging them to organise a confederacy of Indian was hanged on April 18, 1859.
States to fight against the British regime. In the Events at Other Centres: At Bareilly, Khan
process the British lost Delhi.
Bahadur, a descendant of the former ruler of
Sir John Nicholson surrounded Delhi and Rohilkhand, took command of the movement.
after four months of attack captured Delhi. The In Bihar, the struggle was led by Kunwar
old emperor Bahadur Shah was found guilty of Singh, the zamindar of Jagdishpur. He had been
aiding the movement. As a punishmnent, his two deprived of his estates by the British.
sons were shot dead in front of him. He was
At Faizabad, the leadership was taken by
sentenced to life imprisonment and deported to Maulvi Ahmadullah, who aroused the Muslim
Yangon in Myanmar where he died in 1862. community against the British rule.

The First War of Independence, 1857 17

 reaching effects on Indian
Chronology of Events These wvere: socio-political
amongthe soldiers 1. End of the Company's Rule:
brary26, 1857: Unrest
at Berhampur, Bengal. significant result of the Uprising of The mos
1857: Resentment by Mangal the end of the rule of the East Indía 18857 was
Mareh 29,
Pandey at Barrackpore. and assumption of the Government of Company
May 9, 1S57: Resentment
by 85 sepoys of the directly by the Crown. This was done byIndia
Third Cavalry at Meerut. Government of India Act of 1858 which had the
Sepoys at Meerut broke following provisions:
May 10, 1857 The British and headed
out openly against the i) It transferred the power to govern India
towards Delhi.
firom the East India Company to the British
Outbreaks in Delhi,
May 11-30, 1857: Etawah, Crown.
Ferozepur, Bombay, Bareilly, Aligarh, Emperor
Bulandshahr, Lucknow. The Mughal () The Company's Board of Control and Coun
proclaimed as the Emperor of India. of Directors were abolished. A member af
June 1857: Uprising at Gwalior, Bharatpur, the British Cabinet was appointed Secretary
Jhansi, Allahabad, Faizabad. of State for India and made responsible
Mhow,
August 1857: Uprising at Indore, for all matters related to the governance of
Saugar, Jhelum, Sialkot, etc. India. He was givena Council to advise him.
September 1857: Recapture of Delhi by the called the Indian Council. Thus, the ultimate
English. power over India remained with the British
November 1857: Defeat of the British at Kanpur. Parliament.
de
Y
December 1857: Victory of the British at (ii) Actual governance was to be carried on,
Kanpur, escape of Tantia Tope. as before, by the Governor-General who a
March 1858: Recapture of Lucknow by the to
British. was also given the title of Viceroy, that
April 1858: Victory of the British at Jhansi. is, a personal representative of the Crown.
T
Lord Canning was appointed as the first
Uprising in Bihar by Kunwar Singh.
Viceroy under this Act.
June 17, 1858: Death of Rani of Jhansi.
July-December 1858: Re-establishment of (iv) Appointments to the Civil Service were to P
British Authority in India. be made by open competition under rules W

April 1859: Tantia Tope captured and hanged made by the Secretary of State.
to death.
2. Queen Victoria's Proclamation: The
Bengal, Rohilkhand, Bundelkhand, Central
Queen's Proclamation incorporating the transfer
of govermance from East India Company to the
India, several parts of Bihar and East Punjab British Crown was made public at Allahabad. a
rose against the British policies. In several
States in India, the rulers remained loyal to on November 1, 1858, by Lord Canning, te
the British Government but their soldiers rose fîirst Viceroy of India. The proclamation promised
aganst the British. In most of these nloces that the Government of India would
common people rose up in arms and fought
with their axes and spears, bows and () follow a policy of non-intervention in social
arrows. and religious matters of Indians;
CONSEQUENCES OF THE FIRST WAR (n) treat all subjects Indians and Europeans
OF INDEPENDENCE would be
as equals (education and ability
Even though the Uprising of 1857 was the basis of all appointments):
suppressed, it shook the British rule in India (i) grant a general pardon to all those who
w
to its very foundation. It brought about far those
had taken part in the War except
18 Total History &Civics-10
 giving then special protectiorn
their rulers by
and concessions.
used the attractíons
The Government cleverlycreate a split along
to
of govermment service educated Indians. The
religious lines arnong the and ill-fecling
British also encouraged hatred
Muslims so that
armong the Hindus and the
they couldneve challenge the British Empire
in India.
believed
6. Racial Antagonism: The British
in their racial superiority and they thougnt
Queen Victoria that a social dístance was to be maíntained
preserve their authority over the Indíans.
who were found guilty of murder of British toRailway compartments, parks, hotels, clubs,
subjects; etc., reserved for Europeans only' were visible
do its best to advance the industries in manifestations of this racialism.
India; and 7. Foreign Policy: India's foreign policy
utility in India so was dictated by the ínterests of the British
( promote works of public
Be to ensure the material as well as the Government. It fulílled the two aims of the
people.
moral progress of the British - (a) protection of its Indian Empire;
and (b) expansion of British economíc and
2 End of Mughals and Peshwas: With the commercial interests in Asia and Africa.
Bahadur Shah II, who was deported to
death of
Yangon, the Mughal dynasty came to an end. wasThe cost of implementation of these policies
borne by the Indians. For instance, India
Nana Saheb, the last Peshwa, had taken
under the British had to wage wars with her
an actíve part in the Uprising and had fed
to Nepal after the failure of the Uprising. So neighbours like Nepal and Burma (Myanmar)
in which Indian soldiers had to shed their
the office of the Peshwa also came to an end.
Thus, ended two of the most formidable foes
blood and the Indian taxpayers had to meet
the heavy cost of the war.
of the Britísh-the Marathas and the Mughals.
8. Increased Racial Bitterness: After the
4, Relations with Princely States: The Uprising of 1857, racial bitterness increased.
Policy of Annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse The British dubbed all Indians as unworthy
were abandoned. Some of the Indian princes had
remained loyal to the British and had helped of trust and subjected them to insults and
humiliation. In fact, the entire structure of the
them in suppressing the Uprising. Their loyalty Indian government was remodelled and based
was rewarded with the announcement that
their right to adopt heirs would be respected on the idea of a superior race.
and the integrity of their territories guaranteed 9. Religious Changes: The British
against future annexation. rulers declared emphatically their policy of
In 1876, Queen Victoria assumed the title non-interference in the religious affairs,
of the "Empress of India." The Indian princes customs and traditions of the Indians.
willingly became junior partners or agents of the 10. Changes in the Army: The Indian
British Crown because they were promised that army was reorganised after 1858, to prevent
they would continue as rulers of their States. the reoccurrence of another uprising, in the
5. Policy of Divide and Rule: After 1858. following manner:
the British continued their policy of 'divide and
() The strength of European troops in India
rule' by turning the princes against the people, was increased. The ratio of European to
province against province, caste against caste, Indian troops was fixed at 1:2 (Bengal army)
group against group and above all, Hindus and 2:5 (Madras and Bombay armies).
against Muslims. They alienated the people from Practically the same ratio was maintained

The First War of Independence, 1857 19

 genere the way for che
the Firet Word Wer Tie nunbe The
peiscge dopte u thet
ie
twoc Seheb and secritocs nseof nation
ade y
Che
Rani
inspirationMengal Pendey served
diedien sepoye sbouid not caeed
Lemi
tht of the buropeat troope

phionl nd military
kept in
Borepeat troops were positions.
key
of
The beroc
tradions of
for the
strugge slso
resistanoe
futu re
est
to the afrsdon
blis hed
SNe se
as a
13.
from rising agin Hindue
Tedesst the indint soidiesthe
pinet the Britich uie,
sophisticated Wiéening
and
Musims
of
the Br
Guifitish rde
epons Bnd emunition were never of
Independenoe, During the
both the
Indians, Al Muslims
pleced utder the charge of exoeptions gt against showed
the great Hi
enthusiasn n dus Firsn W
fe feartillery
Indiat units, were disbended. Uprising the gulfalien
units,
mountain with the government
between thetwo But he
widened. This was the
the besis of Caste, British
on
fv Discriminatiot
repon and relipon was
fecruitment to the army.
polücy of Dde and Pule
practised in the SOWwed the
seeds of
communities It was dissension
consequence
by
deliberate:between the t,
a
M In order to discourage nationalism, the teo comunities might never
caste and to pOSe a threat to the
measures such as introduction of British
comunity in most regiments were taken Tue in India
DRAWBACKS OF THE
Newspapers, journals and nationalist
reaching OP INDEPENDENCE FIRST WAR
publicatinns were prevented from
the soldiers to keep the
Indian army The
folloRing were the
sepArated from the lle of the rest at the War of Independenoe dratacks of the
popuation. G The morement did not
1L Beonesle Lepleitation: The Uprising plans of military action othave
CentcOOs
2
territorial exparnsion
d 1857 ended the era of
and ushed in the era dfecnnomic
expioitation [Link]
the oountry wereuprisings in diferenit pansraise
i the folowing aner
colonial it ezcept for the
commpleteiyuncoordina
The movernent had no
oommon gral
4nda as hamed ints a typical ant-ioregn
eonnomy, eporting raw materials and The East India Conpany had thesentinerts

Ncholson, Havelock, Outran, eserioso

poring fnibed gods. men of eepional abilities ike
The salary and allowznces of the Secretary etc The fought the
LzTeros
Camph
efSate and mebers af the India Council, toughest
the initial stages of the Uprising batties
the cl sats ndtary cors were 2nd
controlled the sítuation til reinforcenerts
aege dran ot te coutrys Tesorces were reinei from abroad
Paats ere impoeriabed nder the
Brti re The indig pasants of Bihar 6 The British Empire had far superi
resourcs in tens of men, noney d
materials to the Indians.
S Punl tinures such as handierafts, fo The morenert did not have natiorwite
Gioersions. It could not spread tauch ts
MThe ndias bad to gey heay iterests ad Sosto iria and most of Eastern or Westers
Godends G e Briia cagital iestet India Sind and Rajasthan remained quie
s loda The Brist iested teir surpius Sepel helped în the suppression of the
Ovement Bombay and Madras armáes
renaine Soyal to the Brítish
12 Plae f i o l :The griaing of Soe of the rulers of the Indian States
and the big zanindars refused to ýoin the
for frendom fres Btint inmpeais evet
 inhis boik TheSdian Har
Sce the fthe fndian sriety ere Daar Sesarat,described it 2sa plaed
sectis
bostile to Uprising Foc ezange, the f Independence Nted tistorian
moneylenders and the big mercharts War f ationalidependeoe
Mubal Kotkata and Chennai, whoe SN Sen also beieses that the Uprising ot
indeedee Aocordng to
efron ecooic creios 1257 was a war of
aprats cames reigon
Britist mercharts Beides, soe him, the Upriaing bega as a fght Sor zs the
i the ndependence
ndas of Bengal Iwere loyai to the British and ended as 2 War of id of the aen
revoutionaries ated to
oesectios of the educated Indians did erent and restore the cid order of wich
ot SuPPot the cause as they had the wIong
nthat the British rule would belp the Kingo Deihiwas the rigbtful represetatve
oomplis the tasik of modernisation Whatever be the nature of the Uprising ot
ethose opposing the Britisa gonernet 1837, i is generay hailed 2s the First Waz ot
bacoward Independenoe, because
old take the country
on twas the frst mass Uprising in which al
The Uprising was SuPposed to begin the sections of Indian society participated
May 31, 1857 But due to the gesed against a common enen, ie, the British
cartridges incident, it began much
beore the fxed date. So the whole plan t pened the way Sor tbe rise of modern
remained disorganised. national moveroent. The sacrifoes made by
Rari Laá Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal
Kature of the War Pandey served as a souoe of inspiration
Hstorians and scholars have ifferent siews to the leaders and people to fgt Sor the
Vinavak independence of Lndia from the British rule
hout toe natureof the outbreak of 1857-
CHAPTER AT AGLANCE>
Cases of the Pirst War f Independenee
eical a Bitish Policies of Exparaion Doctríne of Lapse, Direspect shon to Pahadur
t Áeation f Awadh,British Treztoent meted out to Nara Saheb and Pari LaáPai, nd
b Absetee Sovereignty the
Socie-Religous terferenc with social customs, Apprebensions about Modern Innovztions;
a Poic of Racial iscrimánation, Ev Corruption in Administration Oppression of the Poor
Actiities ofthe issionaries, ) Pears regzrding Western education (r Taáng reigous places;
Property
and Law of
Zeonomi Expoitation o Eonoic Resouroes; Drain of Wealth from ndia Decay of
stge industries and handierafs, y Ecoroic decine of the peasantry by Growing unemployment;
Anezation of Pent-ftee lard and other estates, ( Inhuman treatent of indigo cuitivators, 2nd
Poverty and famines
SiAry reatment of indiar idies, General Service Enlstment ActLarge proportion
dindians in the British Ary, ) Bieak prUspects of promotions to hágher ranks (b) Deprivation of
allomancesto the Indian soldiersy tá) Faulty distribution of troops; (ri) Poa perfornance of British
troops, ard (ri Loer salaries of the Indian soldiers.
Imediate Cause: The cartridgrs used in the newty introduced Znfeld rile were said to be gresed
with the fat of cows pigs. The greased paper of the cartridges had to be bitten off with the teeth
belore Sading then in the rife. This angered both the Hindu and Muslin sepoys
The Reruits and Effects of the Pirst War of Independence: End of the Company's Pule
Queen Victoria's Proclarmation: (Gii End of the Mughals and Pesthwas,(g Change in relations with
Princely States, (y Policy of Divide and Rule, tri) Racial antagonism, (vi) Poreiga Policy, tri Peligoas
changs,
Rise
Changes in the Army 4 Inereased racial bitterness, bi Eoononic eploitation; and
d nationalism
Drawbacks of the First War of Independence: G) Lack of planning organisation and leadership,
Lack of common cause, i) Lack f participation of all sections of society, ( Lack of Rources;
Lack of natiorwide dimensions, and fri) Beganáng of the movement before the foxed date.

The First War of Independence, 1257 21

 till the First World War. The general the way for the rise of the
The sacrifices made by Raninational
principle adopted was that the number
of Indian sepoys should not exceed twice
that of the European troops. of inspiration for the future
Laxmi
Saheb and Mangal Pandey served asBai, movemen
a Nana
freedom souro
The heroic struggle also established
(ii) European troops were kept in key
geographical and military positions. traditions of resistance fvalighuteab,r
to the British
(ii) To desist the Indian soldiers from rising again 13. Widening of the Gulf
against the British rule, the sophisticated
weapons and ammunition were never
Hindus and Muslims: During the
of Independence, both the
Hindus
Bet
Fir w
st eenWa
placed under the charge of Indians. All showed great enthusiasm and the
Muslims
Indian artillery units, with the exceptions fight against the alien government. B andafterzealtht
But
of a few mountain units, were disbanded. Uprising, the gulf between the two
widened.
(iv) Discrimination on the basis of caste, British policy of
This was the consequence of communiti
Divide and Rule' by which the
region and religion was practised in the sowed the seeds of dissension between
recruitment to the army. communities. It was a deliberate attempt so the twothe
(v) In order to discourage nationalism, the two communities might never come togethe
measures such as introduction of caste and to pose a threat to the British rule in Indio
community in most regiments were taken.
DRAWBACKS OF THE FIRST WAR
(vi) Newspapers, journals and nationalist OF INDEPENDENCE
publications were prevented from reaching
the soldiers to keep the Indian army The following were the drawbacks of the Firs
separated from the life of the rest of the War of Independence:
population. (i) The movement did not have common
11, Economic Exploitation: The Uprising plans of military action or a centralised
of 1857 ended the era of territorial expansion leadership. The uprisings in different parts ai
and ushered in the era of economic exploitation the country were completely uncoordinated
in the following manner: (i) The movement had no common goal before
(i) India was turned into a typical colonial it except for the anti-foreign sentiments.
econony, exporting raw materials and (iüi) The East India Company had the services of
importing finished goods. men of exceptional abilities like Lawrence,
(i) The salary and allowances of the Secretary Nicholson, Havelock, Outram, Campbel,
of State and members of the India Council,
etc. They fought the toughest battles in
the civil servants and military officers were
the initial stages of the Uprising and
controlled the situation till reinforcements
a large drain on the country's resources.
were received from abroad.
(iii) Peasants were impoverished under the
British rule. The indigo peasants of Bihar (iv) The British Empire had far superior
resources in terms of men, money and
revolted on a large scale in 1866-68. materials to the Indians.
(iv) Rural artisan industries such as handicrafts, have nationwid?
(V) The movement did not
spinning and weaving collapsed. dimensions. It could not spread much to
South India and most of Eastern or Wester
(v) The Indians had to pay heavy interests and remained quiet
dividends on the British capital invested India. Sind and Rajasthan
of u
in India. The British invested their surplus Nepal helped in the suppression
Madras armies
capital in India in railways, plantations, [Link] and
coal mines, jute mills, shipping, etc. ocremained loyal to the British.
Stat
of the Indianjoin
12. Rise of Nationalism: The Uprising of (Vi) Some of the rulers refused to
the
and the big zamindars
1857 was the first struggle of the Indian people
movement.
for freedom from British imperialism. It paved

20 Total History &Civics-10

 book The Indian War
Some
sections of the Indian society were Damodar Savarkar, in his it as "a planned
(vii) hostile to the described
Uprising. For examnple, the of Independenceindependence". Noted historian
moneylenders and the big merchants war of national of
Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, whose S.N. Sen also believes that the Uprising
of came from economic connections 1857 was awar of independence. According
to
main profits religion
with the British merchants. Besides,British.
some him, the Uprising began as a fight for as the
zamindars of Bengal were loyal to the and ended as a War of Independence alien
revolutionaries wanted to get rid of the which
Some sections of the educated Indians did the old order of
the cause as they had the wrong government and restore representative.
not support would help the King of Delhi was the rightful Uprising of
notion that the British rulemodernisation
them accomplish the task of Whatever be the nature of the
while those opposing the British government 1857, it is generally hailed as the First War of
yould take the country backward. Independence, because:
Uprising was supposed to begin on (0) It was the first mass Uprising in which all
(vii) The 31, 1857. But due to the greased the sections of Indian society participated
May
cartridges incident, it began much against a common enemy, i.e., the British.
hefore the fixed date. So the whole plan (i) It paved the way for the rise of modern
remained disorgarnised. national movement. The sacrifices made by
Rani Laxmi Bai, Nana Saheb and Mangal
Nature of the War Pandey served as a source of inspiration
Historians and scholars have different views to the leaders and people to fight for the
offthe outbreak of 1857. Vinayak independence of India fromn the British rule.
about the nature

CHAPTER AT A GLANCE >>

Causes of the First War of Independence
Political: () British Policies of Expansion; (i) Doctrine of Lapse; (iüi) Disrespect shown to Bahadur
Shah: (iv) Annexation of Awadh; (v) Treatment meted out to Nana Saheb and Rani Laxmi Bai; and
(vi) Absentee Sovereignty of the British.
Socio-Religious: (0) Interference with social customs; (i) Apprehensions about Modern Innovations;
it) Policy of Racial discrimination; (ív) Corruption in Administration (v) Oppression of the Poor;
v Activities of the missionaries; (vii) Fears regarding Western education; (vi) Taxing religious places;
and (ix) Law of Property.
Economic: () Exploitation of Economic Resources; (1) Drain of Wealth from India; (i) Decay of
cottage industries and handicrafts; (iv) Economic decline of the peasantry; (v) Growing unemploynent;
(vi) Annexation of Rent-free land and other estates; (i) Inhuman treatment of indigo cultivators; and
(viü) Poverty and famines.
MIlitary () I1-treatment of Indian soldiers; (i) General Service Enlistment Act; (ii) Large proportion
of Indians in the British Army; (iv) Bleak prospects of promotions to higher ranks (v) Deprivation of
allowances to the Indian soldiers; (vi) Faulty distribution of troops; (vi) Poor performance of British
troops; and (vii) Lower salaries of the Indian soldiers.
Immediate Cause: The cartridges used in the newly introduced Enfeld rile were said to be greased
with the fat of cows or pigs. The greased paper of the cartridges had to be biten off with the teeth
before loading them in the rifle. This angered both the Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
The Results and Efects of the First War of Independence: () End of the Company's Rule;
(ü) Queen Victoria's Proclamation; (iü) End of the Mughals and Peshwas; (iv) Change in relations with
Princely States; (v) Policy of Divide and Rule; (vi) Racial antagonism; (vi) Foreign Policy: (vii) Religious
changes; (x) Changes in the Army; (3) Increased racial bitterness; (i) Economic exploitation; and
(xii) Rise of nationalism.
Drawbacks of the First War of Independence: (i) Lack of planning, organisation and leadership;
(ü) Lack of common cause; (iü) Lack of participation of all sections of society; (iv) Lack of Resources;
(v) Lack of nationwide dimensions; and (vi) Beginning of the movement before the fhxed date.

The First War of Independence, 1857 21

 EXERCISES
. Multiple-Cheice Questions
Select the correct option.
A Company's ternitorial power began to increase rapidly in India
1 The East India

The Batle
Rattles?
ofthe following Buxar
of
(b) The Battle of Plassey
(d) The Third
after which
ia) War Anglo-Maratha War
d The First Anglo-Mysore
tntroduced the Subsidiary Alliance in India?
.Who (c) Lord Wellesley (d) Lord
b) Lord Amherst
(a) Lord Hastings
Subsidinry Aliance:Awadh
Doctrine of Lapse:
(c) Tanjore
Cornwallis
(d) Jhansi
(al Hyderabad b) Mysore Alliance?
was the first kingdom to sign the Subsidiary
4 Whuch (b) Awadh (c) Maratha (d) Jhansi
le Mysore
8, Seventy-fve thousand ofthe CCompany's sepoys belonged to which ofithe following states
b) Awadh (c) Mysore (d) Sambalpur
la Jaipur landlords
provisions of which of the following, 20,000 estates of the were
6. By the Company?
by the East IndiaCommission
Hunter
(b) Frazer Commission conhiscatea
ja) The (d) The Woods' Dispatch
Inam Commission
id The located?
sas the family seat ofNana Saheb
. Where (b) Lucknow (c) Poona (d) Kanpur
ja) Nagpur
following reforms was resented by the Indians?
8. Which of the (b) The Widow Remarriage Act
The Abolition ofSati (d) Both (a) and (b)
ia)
Opening of Girls'school
1857 began from
9. The Uprising of (b) Plassey (c) Buxar (d) Delhi
(a) Neerut
10. After the initial success of the Uprisingof 1857, the objective of the leaders of the Uprising

inchuded
glory to the Mughal empire;
a restoring the former of Indian States;
Federation
b) forming a order;
eliminsting foreign rule and return of the old
I
Id) Al of the above. correctly matchei
folliowing events of the Uprising of 1857and their leaders is not
11 Which af the (b) Kanpur-Nana Saheb
Luciknow-Begum Hazrat Mahal (d) Bareilly-Khan Bahadur
laj
i Meerut-Tantia Tope
1857 was that
12. An effect of the Uprising of
India was crushed
ie) the spirit of rebellion in demoralised
(bj the British became totally
repressive policies
(d the British abandoned their Hindus and Muslims
the
Idj unity was forged between gave up the direct administration of
India?
IndiaAct 1858, who
13. Under the Government of (b) The British Crown
la) The East India Company
(c) Lord Mountbatten (d) The Mughal Ermperor

22 Tetal Fistury &Civics-1s-10

 Arrangethe following events in chronological order
14. Proclanation
(A) Battle of Plassey (B) Queen Victoria's
(C) Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh (D) Introduction of Enfield Rifle
(a) (4), (B), (C), (D) (b) (C), (A), (B), (D)
(c) (A), (C),(D), (B) (d) (A), (D), (C), (B)
was not a drain of wealth fromIndia?
15. Which
(a) Salaries of Englishmen (b) Salaries of Sepoys
(c) Establishment of British Ofcers (d) Savings of Englishmen
Choose the options that were not a part of the Queen Victoria's Proclamation
16.
P: All subjects of the Queen would be treated as equals.
O: A general pardon to all those who were a part of the 1857 uprising.
R: Policy of non-intervention in social and religious matters.
S: Continue politlcal expansion with the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance.
(a) Pand Q (b) Q and R
(c) Rand S (d) Q and S
R Read the two statenents given below and select the option that
shows the correct
relationship between Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
in revolt
1. (A) From mid-18th century till 1857, one part of the country or the other rose
against the British policies which harmed the interests of the Indians belonging to all
the segments of Indian society.
established a local
(R) Although these revolts were local, scattered and isolated, they
tradition of struggle against the foreign rule.
(a) (R) contradicts (A) (b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Indian
2. (A) The British policy of territorial expansion and gradual annexation of the native
States was one of the major grievances of the Indian rulers.
(R) Some States were brought under British control without actually being annexed.
(a) (R) contradicts (A) (b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false (d) (A)and (R) are independent of each other.
3. (A) Lord Dalhousie justified the annexation of Awadh as for the good of the governed."
taxes on food,
(R) The people of Awadh had to pay higher land revenue and additional
houses and ferries.
(a) (R) contradicts (A) (b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
telegraph in India in the
4. (A) The British introduced modern innovations like railways and
mid-19th century.
India.
(R) The British introduced these innovations to modernise
(a) (R) contradicts (A) (b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false (d) (A)and (R) are independent of each other.

The First War of Independence, 1857 23

 soldiers, who helped East India
Company to
IAI TheIndian poorly paid, ill-fed and badly housed. establish the
in India, were
(R) Alarge proportion of British Arny consisted of Indian soldiers.
(b) (R) is the reason for
Bril sh mpi
ia) R contradicts (A) (A)
(d (AJ is true but
(R) is false (d) (A) and (R) are
6. (A The Uprising of
1857 pavedthe way for the rise of the national independent of each
Although the Uprising failed to
(N the
achieve its objectives, it movement.
inspired the other
British rule.

(al R contradicts
(A) (b) (R) is the reason for (A) Indians to resia
( (A) is true but (R)
is false (d) (A) and (R) are
Qeestions
independent of each other
BShart Answet
in 1600 to trade with India, The East India
L Onginallyformed build itsfactories (settlements) and
from Indian ralers to the Bengal, Bombay,
Company purchased
recruited local lana
them These evoled into Madras armies. armies protec
With
the to
Mughal Enpire and ictory over Frenchemerged
forces while
simultaneously collapse
getting of the
local politics, the Bast India
ARer which battle did the
Company
Company begin
as
rapid
a major political power
territorial expansion involved
in India, in
in India?
fi What was the result of the Great Uprising of 1857 on the Company's rule?
against the British before the First War of I
2. What was the nature of revolts
3 Why sas the "War of 1857 hailed as the First War of
4 Mention two political causes of the First War of
Independence?
Independence
Independence?
s Narme two ways in which the British expanded their territorial power
in l3.
Name two Indian States brought under
6 What was the Subsidiary Aliance? the British
control using the Subsidiary Alliance.
Name the two States annexed
7 Explain the term: Doctrine of Lapse. by the British
using
the Doctrine of Lapse.
6 Which palicy was used by Lord Dalhousie against Rani Laxmi Bai? Why did Rani Laxmi
Bai become a biter eneny of the British?
9. State two announcements which adversely aftected the Mughal dynasty in India
of Awadh.
10 Mention any two consequences of the annexation
21. State any two consequences of the disbanding of the armies of the annexed States hy
the Brtish.
22: Give the meaning of Absentee Sovereignty. Why was it resented by the Indians?
13. What were the apprehensions of Indians about the introduction of the railways?
14. Mention any two social reforms adyocated by the British which affected the religious
traditions of the Indian people.
A8. Metion any two measures which point to the policy of social discrimination followed
by the British in India.
16. Give any two gnievances of the peasantry against the British.
17. What did the British do to reduce the landed aristocracy to poverty?

24. ita Hitary &Ciic-18

 resented by
General Service Enlistment Act which was
was the provision of the
18, What it resented?
he Indian soldiers? Why was Indian soldiers which
created an
grievances harboured by the
.0 Mention any two
atmosphere favourable to the First War of Independence. War and the Punjab
defeat of the British in the first Afghan
two effects of the
20. State soldiers,.
Wars on the Indian
What was the immediate
cause of the First War of Independence?
21.
What did he do?
a9 Who was Mangal Pandey? Company.
consequences of the First War of Indian Independence on the East India
og State two Proclamation?
What were the aims of India's foreign policy after the Queen's
oA
any two drawbacks of the First War of Independence,
25. Mention
II. Structured Questions
that follow:
.Pead the excerpt given below and answer the questions
harmony and exhorted to
"The sepoys are now enjoined to display communal sipah-i-Hindostan (the Army
pray to their respective gods.... They are now called dear
countrymen "ahl-i watan",
of India) and there are appeals now to fellow rallying of
compatriots "aziz ham-watan" with specific exhortations for a united
Hindus and Muslims."
The Dehli Urdu Akhbar (the first Urdu weekly newspaper), June 1857

communal harmony?
la) What was the policy that the British followed to dispel the
rallying of Hindus and
(b) Briefly explain how the British unwittingly led to the united
Muslims by introducing the Enfield Rifle.
of this kind?
(c) How was the British army reorganised to avoid another uprising
resistance
2. Economic exploitation of the country produced discontent, resentment and
among the people that culminated in the Great Uprising of 1857.
(a) The ruin of trade and handicrafts
(b) Impoverishment of the cultivators
(c) Subordination of Indian economy to British interests (making India an agricultural
colony of British capitalism)
3. Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
These rebels of Delhi must be made an example to all their countrymen for ages
to come of the consequences of such crimes, at the same time that every possible
precaution is taken to do away with all temptation or provocation to future offences
of a similar character.
The Guardian, Manchester, June 30, 1857

(a) Who are referred to as rebels of Delhi' in the excerpt above? When did they rebel
and where?
(b) What was the temptation or provocation being talked about in the excerpt?
(c) What were the consegquences of their alleged crimes?

The First War of Independence, 1857 25

 4. Although the First War of Independence of 1857
for India. In this context, answer the following failed, it had
questions:
(n) How did the Uprising give rise to nationalism in India?
important
(b) How did the end of the East India
in India? Company's rule bring in grave Conse ne
tc) State how the British Government tried to pacify the
0 their religious practices; () the Princely sStates. feelings of Indians econwiotmh c per
V. Picture Study
1. Study the picture and answer the following
regardt
questions:
(a) Who are the persons in the picture?
How were they treated by their British
counterparts?
(b) State any three grievances they had against
the British.
(c) What changes were brought in their status
after the Uprising of 1857?

2. Study the picture and answer the following questions:

(a) Identify the person in the picture. Name the proclamation made
by her in 1858.
(b) Where and by whom was this proclamation made public?
(c) What assurance did this proclamation give to the Indian people
regarding (a) religious freedom, and (b) appointment to public
offices?

V. Thinlking Slkills
1. Imagine you were present when the rulers of Indian States met at a common nlare
before the Uprising of 1857. Each ruler voiced his grievance against the British. Make
a list of the grievances of each of the rulers.
2. Imagine you were a Subedar in the army hailing from a landed family from Awadh.
State the grievances your father had against the British.
3. There were uprisings against the British in every corner of the country in the nineteenth
century. Make a list of the uprisings in different States and manner in which the
imperialists dealt with them.
4. Suppose the Uprising of 1857 had not taken place when it did. What would have
happened then? Do you think India would still have gained Independence later. Why
or why not?
5. India gained independence from the British rule 90 years after the First War ol
Independence. Why, do you think, it took so long for us to become an independent nation|

26 Total History &Civics-10