CBSE Class 12 History Rebels The Raj 1857 Revolt Representations Worksheet Set B

Key concepts in nutshell

• Rebels and the Raj: The revolt of 1857 and its representation Pattern of Rebellion- People from different walks of life plunged into the revolt- due to their hatred against the oppressive policies of the British Centres of the Revolt- Lucknow, Kanpur, Bareilly, Meerut, Arrah in Bihar.
• Leaders: Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, Bakht khan, Begum Hazarat Mahal, Tatya tope.
• Awadh revolt: Direct annexation policy of Dalhousie- 1856. Hatred provoked- dispossessed taluqdars of Awadh, injustice done to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh embittered the people.
• Revolt of the sepoys:
  • 1) Policy of social superiority of British
  • 2) Interference in religious matters- greased cartridges issues.
• The vision of unity:
  • 1) Hindu Muslim unity
  • 2) Search for alternative powers
  • 3) Rebels established parallel administration in Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur after capturing centres of British power. Later they failed due to the British policy of repression.
• Repression: 1857- North India was brought under strict law to pronged attack of British—one from Calcutta to North India, another from Punjab to recover Delhi; 27,000 Muslims hanged.
• Image of the Revolt: Pictorial images produced by British and Indians- posters and cartoons.
• The performance of terror: 1) Execution of rebels.
• Nationalist imageries: 1) Inspiration to nationalists; Celebration as first war of independence; leaders depicted as heroic figures.

OTQ (1 MARKS)

Question. Q.1. What was the immediate cause for the mutiny of 1857?
Answer: In 1857, there was rumour that the soldiers were given new cartridges coated with the fat of cows and pigs.

Question. Q.2. What was Subsidiary Alliance System?
Answer: It was a system devised by Lord Wellesley in 1798.

Question. Q.3. Why is the Mutiny of 1857 called a struggle for independence?
Answer: People from all sections came together to fight against the British rule.

Question. Q.4. What was the Doctrine of Lapse theory?
Answer: It was the policy of Dalhousie, the then Governor General. This Doctrine was based on the idea that in case a ruler of dependent state died childless, the right of ruling over the state lapsed to the sovereign.

Question. Q.5. When and who annexed Awadh into British Empire?
Answer: Awadh was annexed into British Empire by Lord Dalhousie in 1856.

Question. Q.6. What were the main reasons behind the failure of the mutiny of 1857?
Answer: (i) Lack of good and effective leadership. (ii) Superior strategy and military power of British.

Question. Q.7. Who introduced subsidiary alliance? Name four powers which accepted it?
Answer: Lord Wellesley introduced subsidiary alliance. Hyderabad, Awadh, Mysore, Surat, Tanjore were early subsidiary states.

Question. Q.8. Give two military causes for revolt of 1857?
Answer: (1) British officers showed sense of superiority. (2) Greased cartridges.

Question. Q.9. Why was the revolt in Awadh so extensive?
Answer: (1) The British dethroned Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. (2) Zamindars, Talukadars and peasants did not like British.

Question. Q.10. Mention two economic causes for revolt of 1857?
Answer: (1) Peasants were exploited by British and moneylenders. (2) Craftsmen were jobless.

Question. Q.11. What was doctrine of lapse?
Answer: The native states without natural successor were forcefully made part of British Empire.

Question. Q.12. Which four centres of the revolt were more aggressive against British?
Answer: Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Gwalior.

S. A. (3 Marks)

Question. Q.13. Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
Answer: (1) Native rulers were natural leaders of the people. (2) They believed that Hindu Muslim unity is compulsory. (3) They wanted to restore the pre-British world. (4) Delhi was capital city in Mughal India and the last Mughal emperor was there, so rebels requested him for the leadership. (5) Mostly, kings had experience of leadership and organization.

Question. Q.14. What were the measures taken to ensure unity among the rebels?
Answer: (1) Both Hindus and Muslims requested Bahadur Shah for leadership. (2) The proclamation issued during the revolt appealed to all sections equally. (3) The sentiments of both communities were respected and cared. (4) The posters glorified the pre-British unity. (5) Hindus and Muslims were equal members of the military commanding committee.

Question. Q.15. What steps did the British take to quell the uprising?
Answer: (1) Marshall Law was clamped throughout North India. (2) All Englishmen were empowered to punish Indians. (3) The common process of law and trial was brought to an end. (4) British army assisted from many sides. (5) Many native states assisted against rebels. (6) Rebels were cruelly punished.

Question. Q.16. Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the revolt of 1857.
Answer: (1) Common Indian people did not like the new education system without any discrimination. (2) Study of the Bible was compulsory in missionary schools. (3) Christianity was common in Jails. (4) A law was passed which enabled converted Christians to inherit ancestral property. (5) Under the General Service Enlistment Act every new service undertook to serve anywhere in India. (6) The government decided to replace the old guns with new rifles (greased cartridges). (7) Abolition of sati and other social reforms.

Question. Q.17. Discuss the evidences that indicated planning and coordination on the part of rebels.
Answer: (1) Mostly cantonments soldiers were revolting. (2) The rebels after revolting in Meerut set out for Delhi immediately to seek support from the Mughal emperor. (3) Messengers were working for transmitting news from one place to another. (4) Native officers' panchayats were convened at night and collective decisions were taken. (5) Sending chapattis from one place to another place was common. (6) New administration was established.

Question. Q.18. What were strengths and weaknesses of the revolt of 1857?
Answer: Strengths: (1) Complete cooperation between Hindus and Muslims. (2) Common people were also revolting. (3) All rebels wanted freedom. Weaknesses: (1) The revolt failed to spread to all areas. (2) All communities did not support it. (3) Many rulers were supporters of British. (4) The rebel leaders were suspicious and jealous of each other. (5) The rebel soldiers were not well equipped.

Question. Q.19. What was Subsidiary Alliance System?
Answer: (i) It was a system devised by Lord Wellesley in 1798. (ii) According to its terms, the British would be responsible for protecting their ally from external and internal threats to their power. (iii) In the territory of the ally, a British armed contingent would be stationed, whose expenditure would be borne by the ally.

Question. Q.20. Why is the Mutiny of 1857 called a struggle for independence?
Answer: (i) People from all sections came together to fight against the British rule. (ii) Everything and everybody connected with the white men was targeted by the people. (iii) The rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population irrespective of their caste and religion.

Question. Q.21. Rumours and prophecies played an important part in moving people to action before the Revolt of 1857. Explain.
Answer: (i) There spread a rumour that the British had mixed bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour sold in the market. (ii) A prophecy was made that on the centenary of the Battle of Plassey on 23rd June 1857, the British rule would come to an end. (iii) Proclamations expressed widespread fear that the British were bent on destroying the caste and religion of Hindus and Muslims and converting them to Christianity.

L. A. (8 Marks)

Question. Q.22. Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, Taluqdars and Zamindars to join the revolt?
Answer: (1) People of Awadh did not like the exploitative British system. (2) Wajid Ali Shah was a popular ruler, and British dethroned him despite him having many sons. (3) All people of Awadh wanted to restore the rule of the Nawab. (4) Begum Hazrat Mahal was a leader of the rebels. (5) Many great rebel leaders worked in Awadh, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction. (6) Taluqdars’ troops were disbanded and forts destroyed; they suffered under the Summary Settlement of land revenue. (7) Zamindars’ lands were snatched by the British. (8) Peasants resented the 50% land revenue and were forced to sell properties to pay it.

Question. Q.23. What did the rebels want? To what extent did the vision of different social groups differ?
Answer: (1) The rebels wanted to root out British authority and restore the pre-British world. (2) Interests of all classes were hurt, leading to general resentment. (3) Rulers and jagirdars wanted to reoccupy their kingdoms and jagirs. (4) Indian merchants wanted concessions in trade and resented interference in accounts. (5) Peasants wanted liberal land revenue and the abolition of exploitation by Zamindars and Sahukars. (6) Government servants wanted respect, salary, and dignity. (7) Artisans wanted good vocational conditions. (8) Pandits and Fakirs wanted to protect Indian culture and religion.

Question. Q.24. What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?
Answer: (1) British artists presented the Britishers as heroes. (2) Paintings like "Relief of Lucknow" by Thomas Jones Barker depicted them as saviours. (3) Recapturing of Lucknow was symbolized as heroic resistance and triumph of British power. (4) Paintings like "In Memoriam" by Joseph Noel Paton expressed the helplessness of English ladies and children. (5) Miss Wheeler was depicted as a heroic defending lady. (6) Heroic images of Laxmibai inspired the Indian struggle. (7) Cruel images of British were symbols of revenge. (8) Brutal images of Indian soldiers were symbols of "strangeness" to the British. (9) Indian artists used such imagery to persuade nationalism and patriotism in Indians.

Question. Q.25. Critically examine the annexation policy of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie.
Answer: Annexation was accomplished in stages: (i) The Subsidiary Alliance was imposed on Awadh in 1801. (ii) British interest in acquiring Awadh's territory increased over time. (iii) The soil of Awadh was valued for producing indigo and cotton. (iv) Takeover in 1856 was expected to complete expansion started with the Battle of Plassey. (v) Finally, on accusations of misrule by the Nawab, Awadh was formally annexed to the British Empire in 1856.

Question. Q.26. What were the causes for the discontent among the soldiers before the mutiny of 1857?
Answer: (i) Fear of new greased cartridges. (ii) Grievances about leave and promotions. (iii) Low salary compared to European soldiers of the same rank. (iv) Fear of losing their religions. (v) Anger against misbehaviour and racial supremacy. (vi) Nexus between soldiers and villagers due to land revenue settlements.

Question. Q.27. What were the reasons behind the failure of the mutiny of 1857?
Answer: (i) Lack of good and effective leadership. (ii) The mutiny was not centralized. (iii) Lack of resources. (iv) The revolt was poorly organized. (v) The rebels had no common ideals. (vi) Lack of co-ordination. (vii) Some sections of people did not support the mutiny.