Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 8 History Civics Chapter 10 The Revolt Of 1857

Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks:

Question 1: Dalhousie annexed the states of Satara, Nagpur, and Jhansi on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.
Answer: Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi, Doctrine of Lapse.
The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy where the British took over any Indian state if the ruler died without a natural male heir. This policy was deeply unpopular because it prevented rulers from choosing their successors through adoption.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Lapse" as a timer running out; if there was no son, the king's time was up and the British took the land.
Exam Tip: Always double-check the spelling of "Dalhousie" as it is a common name in Indian history exams.

Question 2: Prior to the outbreak of the Revolt, Bahadur Shah Zafar lived in Delhi as a Pensioner of the British.
Answer: Pensioner.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor, but by 1857, he had lost most of his actual power. He was given a fixed amount of money by the British to live in the Red Fort, which made the royal family feel insulted.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that a "Pensioner" is someone who receives a regular payment but usually has no active job or power.
Exam Tip: Make sure to specify that he was a pensioner "of the British" to get full marks.

Question 3: The Revolt of 1857 started as a Mutiny of the sepoys.
Answer: Mutiny.
A mutiny happens when soldiers refuse to obey the orders of their officers and turn against them. In this case, the Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the British army were the first to rise up in protest.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Mutiny" and "Military" both starting with 'M' to remember that a mutiny is specifically a soldier's revolt.
Exam Tip: Use the term "Sepoy Mutiny" when discussing the start of the revolt to sound more professional in your answers.

Question 4: The immediate cause of the Revolt was the issue of the greased cartridges.
Answer: greased cartridges.
The new Enfield rifles required soldiers to bite off the ends of cartridges that were rumored to be coated in cow and pig fat. This offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, as their religions forbid the consumption of these animals.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that "immediate" means the last straw that finally broke the patience of the soldiers.
Exam Tip: Clearly mention both cow and pig fat to show you understand why it affected both major religious groups.

Question 5: The Revolt ended the rule of the English East India Company.
Answer: English East India Company.
After the revolt was suppressed, the British government decided that a private company should no longer rule such a large territory. Power was transferred directly to the British Crown, making Queen Victoria the Empress of India.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a business failing so badly that the government has to step in and take over the whole office.
Exam Tip: Note the date 1858 as the year when the Company's rule officially shifted to the British Crown.

B. Match the following:

A
Nana Saheb
Bentinck and Dalhousie
Hindu and Muslim sepoys
Bahadur Shah Zafar
Commander of Nana Saheb
B
(a) confiscation of jagirs
(b) exiled to Rangoon
(c) adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II
(d) Tantya Tope
(e) greased cartridges
Answer:
Nana Saheb — (c) adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II
Bentinck and Dalhousie — (a) confiscation of jagirs
Hindu and Muslim sepoys — (e) greased cartridges
Bahadur Shah Zafar — (b) exiled to Rangoon
Commander of Nana Saheb — (d) Tantya Tope

C. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1: When Awadh/Nagpur/Jhansi was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British.
Answer: When Awadh was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British.
The annexation of Awadh was particularly controversial because the British claimed it was due to "maladministration" by the Nawab. This led to the displacement of many local leaders who then joined the rebellion.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Awadh" was the heart of the rebellion because so many sepoys came from that region.
Exam Tip: Be careful to distinguish between annexation due to "maladministration" (Awadh) and "Doctrine of Lapse" (Jhansi/Nagpur).

Question 2: The rumour regarding greased cartridges started in Madras/ Calcutta/Delhi
Answer: The rumour regarding greased cartridges started in Calcutta.
The rumor specifically began at the Dum Dum cantonment near Calcutta, where the ammunition was being prepared. It spread incredibly fast across the various military stations in Northern India.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Calcutta as the starting point of the spark that lit the whole country on fire.
Exam Tip: Mention "Dum Dum cantonment" specifically if the question asks for a more detailed location within Calcutta.

Question 3: Mangal Pandey was a sepoy at Barrackpore/Nagpur/Satara, who refused to use the greased cartridges in 1857.
Answer: Mangal Pandey was a sepoy at Barrackpore, who refused to use the greased cartridges in 1857.
Mangal Pandey's act of defiance at the Barrackpore cantonment is often seen as the opening act of the great revolt. His bravery inspired thousands of other soldiers to stand up for their rights.
Teacher's Tip: "B" for Barrackpore and "B" for the Beginning of the hero's story (Mangal Pandey).
Exam Tip: Always mention March 29, 1857, as the date of Mangal Pandey's action to show precise historical knowledge.

Question 4: The Revolt in Lucknow/Meerut/Kanpur was led by Nana Saheb.
Answer: The Revolt in Kanpur was led by Nana Saheb.
Nana Saheb led the uprising in Kanpur after the British refused to recognize him as the heir to the Peshwa. He was supported by his loyal commander, Tantya Tope, in this struggle.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the "K" in Kanpur and the "N" in Nana as nearby letters in the alphabet to link them.
Exam Tip: If asked about the leaders of the revolt, always list the city next to the name for better marks.

Question 5: Nana Saheb/Hazrat Mahal/Rani Lakshmibai led the Revolt in Lucknow.
Answer: Hazrat Mahal led the Revolt in Lucknow.
Begum Hazrat Mahal took charge of the rebellion in Lucknow on behalf of her young son after the Nawab was exiled. She was one of the most resilient leaders, refusing to surrender to the British for a long time.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Hazrat Mahal" sounds like a royal palace, and Lucknow is known for its royal heritage.
Exam Tip: Use her full title "Begum Hazrat Mahal" to show respect for the historical figure.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Question 1: Indian rulers were quite satisfied with Lord Dalhousie’s expansionist policies.
Answer: False.
Correct: Indian rulers were dissatisfied with Lord Dalhousies expansionist policies.
Lord Dalhousie's policies like the Doctrine of Lapse took away the power of many royal families. This created a sense of fear and anger among all Indian princes and queens.
Teacher's Tip: "Expansionist" means wanting to grow bigger, and the British grew bigger by taking land from the local rulers.
Exam Tip: When a statement is false, always write the "Correct" version below it to demonstrate full understanding.

Question 2: Peasants benefited from the land revenue system of the British.
Answer: False.
Correct : Peasants were not benefited from the land revenue system of the British.
The high taxes demanded by the British forced many peasants into deep debt and poverty. If they couldn't pay, they lost their land, which led to widespread misery and frequent famines.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the British tax system as a "heavy weight" that crushed the poor farmers.
Exam Tip: Mention the "Zamindari system" as a specific example of the harmful revenue system.

Question 3: Social reforms such as the abolition of sati and female infanticide, and the Widow Remarriage Act caused deep resentment among the orthodox sections of society.
Answer: True.
Although these were positive changes for human rights, many conservative Indians felt the British were interfering too much in their ancient traditions. This cultural clash made many people join the revolt to protect their way of life.
Teacher's Tip: Even good changes can be seen as "interference" if they are forced by a foreign power.
Exam Tip: Categorize these as "Social and Religious Causes" if you are writing a long essay on the revolt.

Question 4: The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished after the Revolt
Answer: True.
After the revolt, the British realized that taking over states through the Doctrine of Lapse was a major mistake. They promised the Indian princes that their territories would no longer be annexed and they could adopt heirs.
Teacher's Tip: The British learned that "stealing" kingdoms led to "big fights," so they stopped the policy.
Exam Tip: Connect this result to the Queen's Proclamation of 1858.

Question 5: The Revolt of 1857 had come as a shock to the British.
Answer: True.
The British never expected such a large-scale and coordinated uprising from their own soldiers and the Indian public. It was the most significant challenge to their authority in India until the independence movement.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a landlord being shocked when all the tenants suddenly stop paying and start a protest together.
Exam Tip: Use the word "unprecedented" to describe the scale of the shock to the British administration.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1: Why did Rani of Jhansi become a staunch enemy of the British?
Answer: Dalhousie annexed die states of Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi by applying die Doctrine of Lapse. The annexation transformed the courageous Rani of Jhansi into a staunch enemy of the British.
The Rani wanted her adopted son to inherit the throne after her husband died, but the British refused to recognize him. Her fight was for the dignity and independence of her beloved kingdom, Jhansi.
Teacher's Tip: Associate "Jhansi" with "Doctrine of Lapse" and "Adopted Son" to remember the core issue.
Exam Tip: Use strong adjectives like "courageous" and "staunch" when describing the Rani's opposition.

Question 2: Why did Nana Saheb fight against the British during the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II (a pensioner of die British), was denied a pension after his father’s death. Nana Saheb became one of the leaders of the Revolt.
The British argued that the pension was only for his father personally and not for any heirs. This financial betrayal made Nana Saheb a key figure in organizing the rebellion from Kanpur.
Teacher's Tip: Remember Nana Saheb's cause was "Personal Pension" and "Identity."
Exam Tip: Mention that he was the "adopted son" to explain why the British used their rules to deny him the pension.

Question 3: Why did the zamindars and talukdars became sworn enemies of the British?
Answer: When Awadh was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British. They became sworn enemies of British rule.
The British removed these landowners from their positions and took over their income, which had been passed down through generations. This created a powerful class of wealthy enemies who supported the rebel soldiers.
Teacher's Tip: "No land, no money, no loyalty" is the easiest way to remember why they fought.
Exam Tip: Focus on the loss of "estates" and "power" to explain their motive clearly.

Question 4: What happened to the nawab’s army when Awadh was annexed?
Answer: After die annexation of Awadh, the nawab’s army was disbanded. The soldiers lost their means of livelihood and their bitterness against the British increased.
Thousands of trained soldiers suddenly had no jobs and no way to feed their families. These angry, unemployed men were the perfect recruits for the 1857 uprising.
Teacher's Tip: Disbanded means the army was "broken up" and everyone was sent home with no pay.
Exam Tip: Use the phrase "loss of livelihood" to explain why the soldiers were bitter.

Question 5: When and where did the Revolt of 1857 begin?
Answer: May 10, 1857 was a Sunday. The British officers at the Meerut cantonment in North India were preparing to attend church, while many other British soldiers were off duty.
The revolt began in the evening at Meerut when sepoys broke into the jail to free their comrades. From there, they marched towards Delhi, shouting slogans and calling for the end of British rule.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the date "May 10" and the place "Meerut" as the official launch pad of the revolt.
Exam Tip: Mention that it started on a "Sunday" to highlight how the rebels caught the British by surprise during their rest time.

Question 6: Mention any two main centers of Revolt
Answer: The important centers of the Revolt were Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi.
These cities were the main hubs where the fighting was most intense and the leadership was strongest. Each of these centers had its own local hero leading the charge against the British forces.
Teacher's Tip: Just remember "D-L-K" (Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur) to quickly recall the main centers.
Exam Tip: List the leaders alongside these centers (e.g., Kanpur - Nana Saheb) to provide a more complete answer.

Question 7: What step was taken by the British to reorganize the army after the Revolt?
Answer: The army was reorganized and strengthened. The number of British soldiers was increased and the artillery placed exclusively under their control.
The British decided they could no longer trust Indian soldiers with heavy weapons like cannons. By increasing the ratio of European soldiers, they hoped to prevent any future mutinies.
Teacher's Tip: Reorganize means to "fix and change the structure" so that the boss (British) has more control.
Exam Tip: Emphasize that "artillery" was kept under British control as this is a key technical change.

Question 8: Mention any two important results of the Revolt
Answer: Results of the Revolt 1857
1. The rule of the English East India Company came to an end.
2. Treaties with Indian states would be honoured.
3. The British government would not interfere in the social and religious customs of the people.
These changes were part of the Queen’s Proclamation, which aimed to calm the Indian public and the royal families. The British shifted their strategy from direct confrontation to more careful and diplomatic control.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the results as "Lessons Learned" by the British to keep their power safe.
Exam Tip: Use a numbered list for results to make your answer look clean and easy to grade.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: In the context of the Revolt of 1857, answer the following questions:
(a) Mention any three political causes of the Revolt
(b) Mention any three economic factors that led to the outbreak of the great Revolt
(c) Explain briefly any four social and religious causes that led to the Revolt of 1857.
Answer:
(a) Political Causes:
1. Dalhousie annexed the states of Sataia, Nagpur and Jhansi by applying the Doctrine of Lapse. The annexation transformed the courageous Rani into a staunch enemy of the British.
2. Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II (pensioner of the British), was denied a pension after his father’s death. Nana Saheb became one of the leaders of the Revolt.
3. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal Emperor, lived in Delhi as a pensioner of the British. Dalhousie announced that Bahadur’s successor would not be allowed to stay on in the historic Red Fort. He would have to move to a place near the Qutb Minar, on the outskirts of Delhi. This was a great blow to the dignity of the Mughal emperor and deeply hurt the sentiments of the Muslims.
4. The annexation of Awadh, on grounds of maladministration, outraged the people of India, in general, and Awadh, in particular. Awadh had always been a friendly, faithful and subordinate ally. The Nawab of Awadh was exiled to Calcutta.
5. The British showed no respect for the treaties they had signed with the Indians. Treaties were broken whenever it suited them to do so. This created a sense of fear and insecurity among the rulers of subordinate states. The axe could fall on them anywhere, at any time.

(b) Economic Causes:
1. The land revenue system, introduced by the British, caused great hardship and misery among the peasants. Under the zamindari system, for instance, the peasants were oppressed by the Zamindars and exploited by the moneylenders. If the cultivators failed to pay the land revenue to the Zamindars or return the loans to the moneylenders on time, they were often flogged, tortured or jailed. The impoverishment of the peasantry led to numerous famines.
2. Landlords also suffered from a sense of insecurity. Thousands of jagirs were confiscated by Bentinck and Dalhousie when they were unable to produce written title deeds of ownership.
3. The interests of the Indian economy was sacrificed for the interests of British trade and industry. This led to the utter collapse of traditional handicraft industries. Indian artisans and crafts persons were ruined.
4. The annexation of Indian states was followed by large- scale unemployment and economic distress. When Awadh was annexed, the administration was replaced by Company Administration. As such, hundreds of court officials and their subordinates lost their means of livelihood.

(c) Social and Religious Causes:
1. Social reforms such as the abolition of sati, and female infanticide, the Widow Remarriage Act and the introduction of women ‘s education caused deep resentment among the orthodox sections of society.
2. The efforts of the missionaries to convert people to 92 Christianity caused great alarm. Some of the missionaries ridiculed the religious beliefs and practices of the Hindus and Muslims in their effort to convert people to their faith. This hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
3. The introduction of Western education undermined the position and importance of the Pundits and Maulvis and was seen as an attack on ancient traditions and values. The office of the Inspector of Schools in Patna was referred to as the ‘shaitane daftar’.
4. The introduction of the railways and posts and telegraphs aroused grave doubts and fears, especially among the simple, backward villagers. They thought that the telegraph system was a form of Western magic. They grew fearful of the intentions of the British.
5. The British judicial system introduced the principle of equality. This was regarded as a threat to the existing caste norms and privileges of the upper classes.
6. The British looked down upon the Indians and followed a policy of racial discrimination. They made no effort to interact socially with the Indians. They were convinced of the superiority of the European race and treated the Indians with great contempt.

The political, economic, and social reasons combined to create a "pressure cooker" situation where everyone had a reason to be angry. By understanding all these different factors, we can see why such a large part of the country rose up at the same time.
Teacher's Tip: Use the "PES" formula (Political, Economic, Social) to categorize your points for long history answers.
Exam Tip: For "brief" answers, pick the most famous examples, like the Doctrine of Lapse for political and greased cartridges for social/religious causes.

Question 2: In the context of the military causes of the Revolt of 1857.answer the following questions:
(a) Mention any three grievances that the sepoys had against their British masters.
(b) How did the Act passed in 1856 by the British hurt the sentiments of the Hindu sepoys?
(c) Explain the immediate cause of the great Revolt?
Answer:
(a) The sepoys had numerous grievances against the British- masters:
1. The sepoys had helped the British to establish their empire in India but they were neither appreciated nor rewarded for their efforts. On the contrary, they were treated with great contempt by the British officers.
2. There was grave discrimination between the Indian sepoy and his British counterpart. A capable and dedicated sepoy could not rise above the post of subedar.
3. In 1856, an Act was passed which made it compulsory for all new recruits to serve overseas if required. This hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because they believed that overseas travel would lead to a loss of caste. The sepoys interpreted the regulation as another attack on their caste and religion.
4. After the annexation of Awadh, the Nawab’s army was disbanded. The soldiers lost their means of livelihood and their bitterness against the British increased.
5. The Indian soldiers greatly outnumbered the British soldiers. In 1856, the number of sepoys in the British army was more than five times that of the British soldiers. This emboldened the sepoys to take up arms against their foreign masters.
(b) In 1856, an Act was passed which made it compulsory for all new recruits to serve overseas if required. This hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because they believed that overseas travel would lead to a loss of caste. The sepoys interpreted the regulation as another attack on their caste and religion:
(c) In January 1857, a rumour started at the Dum Dum cantonment (in Calcutta) that the cartridges, which the British had introduced, were greased with cow fat and pig lard. The rumour spread like wildfire among the Hindu and Muslim sepoys. They were convinced that the government was deliberately trying to defile their religion. A wave of indignation and anger swept through all the military stations. On 29 march 1857 Mangal Pandey, a sepoy at Barr that the government was deliberately trying to defile their religion. A wave of indignation and anger swept through all the military stations. On 29 march 1857 Mangal Pandey, a sepoy at Barrackpore refused to use the cartridge and attacked his senior officers. He was hanged to death.

Question 3. In the context of the Revolt of 1857, briefly discuss:
1. The decline of the Mughal dynasty
2. Any four results of the Revolt of 1857
3. Nature of the Revolt of 1857
Answer:
(a) On 11 May 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar was persuaded to accept the leadership of the Revolt. He was proclaimed the emperor of Hindustan. There was jubilation all around. The restoration of the Mughal empire was proclaimed with the booming of guns. The success of the Revolt proved to be short lived. British reinforcements arrived from Punjab, and Delhi was recovered in September 1857.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was taken prisoner, tried and exiled to Rangoon. The royal princes (two sons and one grandson of Bahadur Shah Zafar) were shot and and their bodies displayed on the streets. The once great dynasty of the Mughals finally came to an end.
(b) Results of the Revolt 1857
1. The rule of the English East India Company came to an end.
2. India came under the direct rule of the British Parliament and the Queen of England.
3. Queen Victoria issued a Proclamation promising to look after the welfare of the Indian people.
4. Treaties with Indian states would be honoured.
5. A general pardon was granted to all the rebels, except those who had killed British subjects.
6. The British government would not interfere in the social and religious customs of the people.
7. Indians would be given opportunities to be associated with the administration.High posts in government services would be given on the basis of merit, not race.
8. The army was reorganized and strengthened. The number of British soldiers was increased and the artillery placed exclusively under their control.
(c) Nature of the Revolt of 1857
1. The Revolt was the outcome of the accumulated grievances of different sections of people and not the sepoys alone.
2. Those who joined the Revolt had different reasons and different motives but they were all united in their hatred of British rule and their determination to overthrow it.
3. It had wide popular support of various sections of society.
4. The struggle created a strong bonding and a sense of unity between the Hindus and the Muslims. They, fought shoulder to shoulder, as single brethren against a common enemy.
5. Of the estimated 1,50,000 people killed in the Revolt, 1,00,000 were civilians.

G Picture study:
This is the picture of the queen who led the Revolt in Central India.

1. Identify the queen.
Answer: Rani Laxmi Bai

2. Name the city where she led the Revolt.
Answer: Jhansi

3. What were the economic causes of the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: Refer Answer F-l (b) above

4. What was the major outcome of the Revolt of 1857?
Answer: Refer Answer F-3 (b) above