Chapter 5: When People Rebel (1857 and After)

Major Points:

1. Policies and the People

●​ The British implemented policies like the Doctrine of Lapse (introduced by Lord Dalhousie),
which allowed them to annex Indian states if the ruler did not have a natural heir.
●​ Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the pretext of misgovernance.
●​ Policies like the Subsidiary Alliance also increased British control over princely states.

2. Discontent Among Soldiers

●​ Sepoys (Indian soldiers in the British army) were unhappy with low salaries, poor treatment, and
discriminatory policies.
●​ The introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges, rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, hurt
the religious sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims.

3. Peasants and Zamindars

●​ Heavy taxation and rigid revenue collection policies led to widespread resentment among
peasants and zamindars.
●​ Many were deprived of their land if they failed to pay taxes.

4. Leaders and Uprisings

●​ The revolt began on 10th May 1857 in Meerut, where sepoys mutinied, killed British officers, and
marched to Delhi.
●​ They proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, their leader.
●​ Key leaders of the revolt included:
○​ Rani Lakshmibai (Jhansi)
○​ Nana Saheb (Kanpur)
○​ Begum Hazrat Mahal (Awadh)
○​ Tantia Tope

5. Spread of the Rebellion

●​ The rebellion spread to northern and central India, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and
Bareilly.
●​ Some princely states, like Hyderabad and Gwalior, remained loyal to the British.

6. Suppression of the Revolt

●​ The British used their superior military strength to suppress the revolt.
●​ Leaders like Rani Lakshmibai and Tantia Tope were defeated.
●​ Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured and exiled to Rangoon (Myanmar).

7. Aftermath of the Revolt

 ●​ The revolt ended in 1858, marking a turning point in Indian history.
●​ The British Crown directly controlled India from the East India Company through the Government
of India Act, of 1858.
●​ The army was reorganized to reduce reliance on Indian sepoys.

8. Changes Introduced Post-Revolt

●​ The Mughal dynasty ended with Bahadur Shah Zafar’s exile.

●​ The annexation policy was abandoned, and Indian princes were assured their territories would
not be annexed.
●​ The British adopted divide-and-rule policies to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims.

Minor Points:

1. Economic Causes of Discontent

●​ Artisans and craftsmen suffered as British goods replaced Indian handicrafts.

●​ Trade and industries declined due to British economic policies.

2. Social and Religious Causes

●​ The British banned practices like sati and encouraged widow remarriage, which created
resentment among conservatives.
●​ Many Indians felt their traditional customs and beliefs were under threat.

3. Role of Women

●​ Women leaders like Rani Lakshmibai and Begum Hazrat Mahal played crucial roles in leading
the rebellion in their respective regions.

4. Impact on Common People

●​ Farmers, workers, and other common people faced hardships during the revolt and its
suppression.

5. Symbols of Unity

●​ The revolt united people from different regions, religions, and communities in their fight against
the British.

6. Decline of the East India Company

●​ The East India Company’s control over India ended, and India came under the direct rule of
Queen Victoria.
Chapter 9: The Making of the National Movement (1870s-1947)

Major Points:

1. Emergence of Nationalism

●​ Indian nationalism emerged in the 1870s and 1880s due to growing dissatisfaction with
British rule.
●​ People realized that colonial rule exploited Indian resources and people.
●​ Early political associations like the Indian National Congress (INC), formed in 1885,
became key platforms for nationalist activity.
●​ It was split INC in 1907 [MODERATES & RADICALS].
●​ In 1916 the Splited INC got back together at the Lucknow session.

2. Economic Exploitation

●​ British policies caused economic hardship, with high taxes and land revenue systems.
●​ Indian industries declined due to the influx of cheap British goods.
●​ Famines and poverty highlighted the exploitative nature of colonial policies.

3. Early Nationalists (Moderates)

●​ Early INC leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Gopal Krishna
Gokhale believed in petitions, prayers, and reforms.
●​ Dadabhai Naoroji’s "Drain of Wealth" theory explained how British policies drained
India’s wealth to Britain.

4. Rise of Extremists (Radicals)

●​ Dissatisfaction with the moderate approach led to the rise of extremists like Bal
Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal).
●​ They advocated Swaraj (self-rule) and believed in direct action against British rule.
●​ Tilak’s slogan: **"Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it."

5. Partition of Bengal (1905)

●​ Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905, claiming administrative reasons, but the move
aimed to divide Hindus and Muslims.
●​ This led to widespread protests, including the Swadeshi Movement, where people
boycotted British goods and promoted Indian industries.

6. Formation of Muslim League (1906)

●​ The All-India Muslim League was formed in 1906 to represent Muslim interests.
●​ The British promoted communal divisions to weaken nationalist unity (divide-and-rule
policy).
7. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre & Rowlatt Act (1919)

●​ General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds.
●​ This brutality shocked the nation and intensified demands for freedom.

8. Gandhian Era (1920s-1947)

●​ Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a leader and introduced non-violent methods of protest

like Satyagraha, the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), the Civil Disobedience
Movement (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942).
●​ Gandhi mobilized people from all sections of society, including peasants, women, and
workers.

9. Role of Revolutionaries

●​ Revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad, and Subhas Chandra Bose
contributed through militant activities and organized armed resistance.
●​ Bose formed the Indian National Army (INA) to fight against British rule.

10. End of British Rule

●​ The Second World War (1939-1945) weakened Britain economically and politically.
●​ Post-war negotiations, coupled with nationalist movements, led to India gaining
independence on 15th August 1947.
●​ India was partitioned into India and Pakistan based on religious lines, causing
widespread violence and displacement.

Minor Points:

1. Role of Women

●​ Women like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Nehru, and Aruna Asaf Ali played significant roles
in protests, movements, and leadership.

2. Role of Press

●​ Newspapers like Kesari, The Hindu, and Amrita Bazar Patrika spread nationalist ideas
and exposed colonial exploitation.

3. Cultural Revival

●​ Movements like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj aimed to revive Indian culture and
reject Western influences.

4. Impact of the Revolt of 1857

 ●​ The 1857 revolt inspired future generations to resist British rule and laid the foundation
for organized movements.

5. Simon Commission (1927)

●​ The Simon Commission faced widespread protests because it excluded Indians from its
membership.
●​ The slogan "Simon Go Back" became popular.

6. Poona Pact (1932)

●​ An agreement between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on the

representation of Dalits in legislative bodies.

7. INA Trials (1945-46)

●​ Trials of Indian National Army officers by the British garnered massive public support for
their cause.

Chapter 10: India After Independence

Major Points:
1. Partition and Its Impact
●​ The partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of India and Pakistan, causing widespread violence, displacement, and a
refugee crisis.
●​ Nearly 8 million people migrated between the two countries, and countless lives were lost due to communal riots.
●​ Refugee rehabilitation became one of the immediate challenges for the government.

2. Integration of Princely States

●​ At the time of independence, India consisted of 562 princely states that had to be integrated into the Indian Union.
●​ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon played crucial roles in convincing princely states to accede to India.
●​ Military action (e.g., Hyderabad) and negotiations ensured the political unification of India.

3. Framing the Indian Constitution

●​ The Constituent Assembly, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, worked from 1946 to 1950 to draft the Constitution.
●​ Key features of the Constitution:
○​ The federal system with a division of powers.
○​ Fundamental Rights guaranteeing equality and freedom.
○​ Directive Principles of State Policy for social welfare.
●​ The Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950, making India a sovereign democratic republic.

4. Reorganization of States
 ●​ States were reorganized in 1956 based on linguistic and cultural lines.
●​ The States Reorganization Act aimed to address diversity and ensure administrative efficiency.
●​ It resolved tensions caused by linguistic differences but also created new political dynamics.

5. Economic Planning and Development

●​ India adopted Five-Year Plans to focus on agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
●​ The Green Revolution (1960s) led to increased agricultural production, especially in wheat and rice.
●​ Emphasis was placed on self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports.

6. Social and Caste Reforms

●​ The abolition of untouchability was a significant step towards social equality.
●​ Special provisions were made for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes
(OBCs).
●​ Efforts were made to promote education, health, and welfare for marginalized groups.

7. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

●​ India, under Jawaharlal Nehru, became a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
●​ It aimed to maintain neutrality during the Cold War while supporting decolonization and global peace.

8. India’s Foreign Policy

●​ India focused on maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring countries and supporting anti-colonial movements.
●​ Initial relations with Pakistan were strained due to Kashmir, leading to wars in 1947-48 and later in 1965.