Chapter 5 When People Rebel Solutions
Question - 1 : - What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Answer - 1 : -
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the Company to recognize her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. But the British refused her plea.
Question - 2 : - What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?
Answer - 2 : -
They were allowed to inherit the property of their ancestors.
Question - 3 : - What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?
Answer - 3 : -
The sepoys objected that the new cartridges that they were asked to use were coated with the fat of cows and pigs.
Question - 4 : - How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?
Answer - 4 : -
Last Years of Life of the Mughal Emperor
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last emperor of the Mughal dynasty. He played an important role in the revolt of 1857 against the British. In September 1857 the British established their control over Delhi and Bahadur Shah was imprisoned. He was sent to Rangoon along with her wife Begum Zinat Mahal. In 1862, he died in Rangoon.
Question - 5 : - What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?
Answer - 5 : -
The reasons are given below:
1. Since the mid-18th century Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their authority and honour. Residents had been stationed in many courts, the freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed forces disbanded and their revenues and territories taken away by stages.
2. The Company decided to end the Mughal dynasty. 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. In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal emperor and after his death, his descendants would be recognised as princes.
What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support of the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families?
Answer - 6 : -
Bahadur Shah’s support for the rebellion changed the scene:
- Large part of the country was ruled by chiefs under the Mughal rule and threatened by the British. They thought if Mughal could be powerful again, they too could rule again, under Mughal authority.
- Emperor’s blessing to the rebels gave an alternative and filled people with courage and enthusiasm to fight.
Question - 7 : - How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?
Answer - 7 : -
The British succeeded in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh by providing them inheritance rights, i.e. they would enjoy the traditional rights over their land. The British also exempted them from taxes.
Question - 8 : - In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?
Answer - 8 : -
As a result of the rebellion of 1857, the British changed their policies. Following are the important changes that the British made:
- The powers of the East India Company, was transferred to the British Crown in order to ensure a more responsible management of Indian affairs.
- The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy, that is, a personal representative of the Crown.
- 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.
- It was decided that the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and the number of European soldiers 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.
- The British decided to respect the customary religions and social practices of the people in India.
Question - 9 : - Find out more about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. In what ways would she have been an unusual woman for her times?
Answer - 9 : -
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.