Chapter - The First War of Independence 1857

Q1) What was the nature of revolts against the British before the First War of Independence?

Ans: The nature of the revolts against the British before the First War of Independence was local, scattered and isolated.

Q2) Why was the war of 1857 hailed as the First War of Independence?

Ans:

• Before 1857, the rebellions were local, scattered and isolated. The war of 1857 was the first mass uprising in which all sections of Indian society participated.
• The accumulated grievances of the people burst forth in the form of the First War of Independence.
• The war of 1857 paved the way for the rise of the modern national movement.

Q3) Mention two political causes of the First War of Independence.

Ans:

• The British went on expanding their Indian territories by wars, Subsidiary Alliance, and Doctrine of Lapse.
• The British disrespected the Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar. His successors were not allowed to use imperial titles.
• India was being ruled from England and her wealth was drained to England and not used for her welfare.
• The British refused to pay pension to Nana Saheb and he was forced to live at Kanpur.

Q4) Name two ways in which the British expanded their territorial power in India.

Ans:

• Subsidiary Alliance: It was an agreement by which some states lost their sovereignty to the British.
• Doctrine of Lapse: If an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would come under the Company's control.

Q5) What was the Subsidiary Alliance? Name two Indian states brought under British control using it.

Ans:

• The Subsidiary Alliance was an agreement between the British East India Company and the Indian princely states by which some states lost their sovereignty to the British.
• States brought under British control: Mysore, Hyderabad.

Q6) Explain Doctrine of Lapse. Name two states annexed using this doctrine.

Ans:

• According to the Doctrine of Lapse, if an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would 'lapse', i.e., come under the Company's control.
• States annexed: Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur, Sambalpur.

Q7) Who was Nana Saheb? What was his main grievance against the British?

Ans:

• Nana Saheb was the adopted son of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa.
• The British refused to pay pension to Nana Saheb and he was forced to live at Kanpur, away from his family seat at Poona.

Q8) Which policy was used by Lord Dalhousie against Rani Laxmibai? Why did she become a bitter enemy of the British?

Ans:

• Lord Dalhousie used the Doctrine of Lapse against Rani Laxmibai.
• Her adopted son Anand Rao was not accepted as the heir to the throne of Jhansi. Therefore, she became a bitter enemy of the British.

Q9) State two announcements which adversely affected the Mughal dynasty in India.

• Lord Dalhousie announced that the successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar would not be allowed to use Red Fort and had to shift to a place near the Qutub Minar.
• Lord Canning announced that the successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar would not be allowed to use imperial titles.

Q10) Mention four consequences of the annexation of Awadh.

Ans:

• Discontent among Sepoys – Many sepoys were from Awadh and felt insulted by the annexation of their homeland.
• Loss of Nobility – The Nawab, landlords, and nobles lost their positions and privileges, leading to resentment.
• Harsh Land Revenue Policy – Farmers and landlords suffered due to high taxes and confiscation of land.
• Religious and Cultural Hurt – People believed the British were destroying Indian traditions and disrespecting local religions.
  
  

Q11) State any two consequences of the disbanding of the armies of annexed states by the British.

Ans:

• Disbanding the armies of annexed states threw thousands of soldiers out of jobs.
• All these unemployed soldiers joined the Revolt of 1857 to fight against the British.

Q12) What did "absentee sovereignty" of the British mean, and how was it resented by Indians?

Ans: Absentee sovereignty of the British means that India was ruled by the British government from England, thousands of miles away. This was resented by Indians because India's wealth was being drained to England and not used for her welfare.

Q13) How did the introduction of railways affect the social dynamics of Indians, particularly with regard to caste system?

Ans: The introduction of railways affected the social dynamics of Indians by making people of different castes sit side-by-side in railway compartments. This was resented by orthodox Indians who believed that the British were trying to defy the caste system.

Q14) What significant social reforms were introduced by the British in India during the 19th century?

Ans:

• Abolition of Sati by William Bentinck in 1829.
• Introduction of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856.