RBSE Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 18 The Revolt of 1857

Rajasthan Board Class 8 Social Science Textbook Questions Solved

 

Question 1. Which date was decided to commence the Revolution of 1857?
(a) 8 April
(b) 29 March
(c) 31 May
(d) 9 May
Answer: (c) 31 May
In simple words: The leaders of the 1857 revolt chose May 31st as the official start date for their uprising against British rule. This date was meant to allow for widespread coordination among different groups before the rebellion began.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key dates and events for historical questions. It is important to know both the planned date and the actual start date if they differ.

 

Question 2. Who led the Revolution in Kota?
(a) Jaidayal
(b) Laxmi Bai
(c) Kushal Singh
(d) Kunwar Singh
Answer: (a) Jaidayal
In simple words: The revolution in the city of Kota was led by Jaidayal. He was a key figure who organized the uprising there against British authority.

🎯 Exam Tip: For each major center of the 1857 revolt, know the names of the leaders and their specific contributions.

 

Question 3. Where did the revolt of 1857 start in Rajasthan?
Answer: The revolt of 1857 began in Rajasthan at Nasirabad. This cantonment town was strategically important due to its military presence. It was one of the first places where Indian soldiers rose up against the British.
In simple words: The 1857 revolt started in Rajasthan in the area called Nasirabad.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise with geographical locations when answering questions about where historical events took place.

 

Question 4. Which British officer was killed in Kota?
Answer: Major Burton was the British officer killed in Kota during the 1857 revolt. He was a political agent, making his death a significant event that showed the intensity of the rebellion in the region.
In simple words: In Kota, a British officer named Major Burton was killed.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing historical conflicts, naming specific individuals involved, especially casualties, can demonstrate detailed knowledge.

 

Question 5. Name the poets who wrote the songs on the result of 1857?
Answer: Many poets wrote songs about the events and outcomes of the 1857 revolt. Some of these poets include Bankidas from Jodhpur, Sureyman Mission from Bundi, Aasda Jawanji, Barhath Durgadutt, Aarda Jadooram, Aasiya Budhji, and Gopaldan Datiwadiya. These songs helped spread patriotic feelings and remember the sacrifices made.
In simple words: Poets like Bankidas, Sureyman Mission, Aasda Jawanji, Barhath Durgadutt, Aarda Jadooram, Aasiya Budhji, and Gopaldan Datiwadiya wrote songs about the 1857 revolt.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing multiple names, ensure correct spelling and try to mention their origin or contribution if relevant and easy to remember.

 

Question 7. Write a brief note on the prominent happenings of the revolutions held in Auva?
Answer: Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa in Pali, Rajasthan, was unhappy with the British and the Maharaja of Jodhpur. He called upon local feudal lords like those from Aasopa, Aalniyawas, and Gular to join him in Auwa. He also received help from feudals of Khejrala, Salumbar, Roopnagar, and Laksaani. When the Maharaja Thakur Kushal Singh sent his army to Auwa to fight the rebels, Kushal Singh's forces defeated the Jodhpur forces at Bithoda on September 8, 1857. Hearing this, A.G.G George Lawrence himself brought his forces to Auwa but was also defeated on September 18, 1857. Monk Mason, the political agent of Jodhpur, was killed by the rebels, and his head was displayed on the Auwa fort gate. Revolutionary forces then marched towards Delhi. Later, in January 1858, the British army led by Holmes attacked Auwa. Thakur Kushal Singh took refuge with the feudal lord of Salumber. The British bribed the fort guard to open the gates and captured the fort, treating the Auwa public cruelly. In 1860, Kushal Singh surrendered to the British at Neemuch. A case was filed against him, but he was later cleared of all charges. The resistance shown by Thakur Kushal Singh became a symbol of defiance against British dominance.
In simple words: Thakur Kushal Singh of Auwa led a revolt against the British and the Maharaja of Jodhpur, gaining support from other local leaders. His forces defeated the Jodhpur army and even the British agent, Monk Mason, was killed. Though the British later captured Auwa, Kushal Singh was eventually cleared of charges after his surrender.

🎯 Exam Tip: For historical events, always include key figures, dates, locations, and the main outcomes or impacts. Focus on cause-and-effect relationships.

 

Question 8. Write a brief introduction of Doongji-Jawaharji.
Answer: Doongji and Jawahar, who were uncle and nephew (Chacha – Bhatija), were well-known military figures in the eastern Sikar region before the 1857 War of Independence. They bravely fought against the British armies of Jodhpur and Bikaner. Their heroic sacrifices made them famous in folk songs and turned them into immortal symbols of courage and resistance. Their acts inspired many common people to join the fight for freedom.
In simple words: Doongji and Jawahar were an uncle-nephew duo from Sikar who were famous soldiers before 1857. They fought bravely against the British and Jodhpur armies, becoming immortal heroes in songs because of their sacrifices.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the relationship between the individuals, their specific contributions, and the lasting impact they had, such as inspiring folk songs.

 

Question 9. Describe the reasons of the revolt of 1857.
Answer: The main causes of the 1857 revolution were:
1. Political causes:
(a) The Anti-Indian British policies: Robert Clive diplomatically turned the trading East India Company into a political power. Wellesley and Hastings used unfair methods to expand their empire. Dalhousie introduced a new policy to merge Indian states whose rulers had no natural successor with the British empire. He stopped the tradition where childless rulers could adopt an heir to their kingdom. This policy angered many Indian people.
(b) Disrespect towards Indian rulers: The Mughal emperor's position was reduced. The Maratha Peshwa was removed from his empire and given a pension, which was later stopped for his sons, including Nana Saheb. These actions by the British upset the Indian population greatly.
(c) Expansionist policy of the British: The British promised Indian princes that they would not interfere in their internal affairs through treaties and alliances. However, they continuously meddled using their political agents and later seized states like Avadh, claiming administrative problems.
(d) The feudal class autocrats: The feudal lords, who collected taxes and held respect in royal courts, were annoyed with the British. After subsidiary alliances were made, rulers no longer relied on the feudals, and their powers decreased. The feudals blamed the British for this. For example, Rawat Kesari Singh blamed the British for Maharan's misbehavior, and Thakur Ajit Singh of Jodhpur was unhappy with the political agent. Diwan Jhuntharam of Jaipur, forced by the British, took away hereditary rights from jagirdars. Many feudals, like those from Auwa, Aasop, Gular, and Aalniyawas, were unhappy with their rulers because the East India Company made it impossible for them to make independent decisions.
2. Social and Religious causes:
(a) British interference in Indian life: The British interfered in Indian social customs in the name of reforms and often insulted Indians. They mocked Indian traditions and did not appoint Indians to high positions.
(b) Promotion of Christianity: The government allowed Christians to preach and convert people, especially weaker sections, to Christianity. Prisoners were forced to accept Christianity; those who converted received lighter punishments and better facilities, and were promoted to higher ranks. At the same time, Hindu gods, goddesses, and worship methods were disrespected, making Indians angry and forcing them to revolt.
3. Economic Causes:
(a) Degradation of India's economy: Before British rule, India was a rich agricultural and industrial country, known as the 'Golden bird' and a major center for world trade. The British, after gaining power, ruined India's economy.
(b) Exploitative British policies: East Bengal, once prosperous, suffered due to British plundering. In Rajasthan, heavy duties were imposed, and the British controlled opium and salt trade. They introduced Octroi, which angered people. Higher taxes on Hadauti opium than Bengali opium encouraged smuggling and led to food shortages. The British made huge profits from the salt trade, while many other industries in Rajputana were destroyed.
4. Military Causes:
(a) Shocked Avadh army personnel: Many soldiers in the British army were from Avadh. They were deeply shocked when Avadh was annexed by the British empire.
(b) Restrictions and discrimination: The British imposed many restrictions on Indian soldiers' dining and dressing habits. Soldiers felt insulted when forced to go to foreign countries. Indian soldiers received lower salaries and had to pay for their uniforms. Their free postal service was stopped. The final insult was the introduction of new cartridges for Enfield rifles, which were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, and had to be bitten open. These actions united soldiers from various backgrounds against the British.
In simple words: The main reasons for the 1857 revolt were unfair British policies that took away Indian rulers' power and stopped adoptions, disrespect for Indian culture and religion, economic exploitation through heavy taxes and destruction of industries, and military grievances like low pay, forced overseas service, and the use of greased cartridges that offended religious beliefs.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing causes, categorize them into political, social, economic, and military to provide a structured and comprehensive answer. Each point should be supported with specific examples.

 

Question 10. Describe the prominent happenings of the revolt of 1857.
Answer: The major events of the 1857 War of Independence were:
1. The revolution, planned for May 31, 1857, actually started on March 29 at Barrackpore Cantonment. Sepoys refused to use new Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with animal fat. Mangal Pandey shot two British officers and was hanged on April 8. On May 9, sepoys at Meerut were arrested for refusing to use the cartridges. Their fellow rebels freed them, killed many officers, and marched to Delhi. On May 11, they declared Bahadur Shah as the emperor of Delhi.
2. The revolution quickly spread, led by various figures across India. Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope led in Kanpur, Begum Hazrat Mahal in Avadh, Rani Laxmi Bai in Jhansi, Babu Kunwar Singh in Bihar, Diwan Maniram and Kanpareshwar Singh in Assam, and Surender Shahi and Ujjawal Singh in Orissa.
3. Lord Canning, the Governor-General of India, actively worked to suppress the revolution. He called armies from Madras, Bombay, Burma, and Sri Lanka, and also sought help from the Sikh forces of Punjab.
4. Tantia Tope and Rani Laxmi Bai bravely fought against the British army. Some disloyal sepoys opened the gates of Jhansi fort, but Rani Laxmi Bai escaped to Kalpi, where Tantia Tope joined her. Together, they invaded Gwalior. The British captured Gwalior. Rani Laxmi Bai was caught and died fighting while trying to flee. Tantia Tope was also captured by the British and hanged. Thus, brave Indian heroes like Mangal Pandey, Tantia Tope, and Rani Laxmi Bai became martyrs in the first war of Independence, 1857. These acts of bravery ignited the spirit of resistance across the subcontinent.
In simple words: The 1857 revolt started when Mangal Pandey refused to use greased cartridges and was hanged, leading to rebellion in Meerut and Delhi where Bahadur Shah was declared emperor. It spread quickly with leaders like Nana Saheb in Kanpur, Rani Laxmi Bai in Jhansi, and Begum Hazrat Mahal in Avadh. The British, under Lord Canning, used forces from other regions to suppress the revolt, leading to many heroes, including Rani Laxmi Bai and Tantia Tope, dying as martyrs.

🎯 Exam Tip: For significant historical events, describe the key incidents in chronological order and mention the major leaders involved in different regions to show a complete understanding.

 

Question 11. What were the results of 1857 revolution?
Answer: Although the 1857 revolution failed, it had important immediate and long-term consequences.
The immediate consequences were:

• Native rulers who helped the British were allowed to keep their right to adopt successors.
• Control over India shifted directly from the East India Company to the British Crown.
• Queen Victoria promised Indian princes that their existing status would remain unchanged.
• Zamindars who opposed the British during the revolution were weakened. They had to pay in cash instead of services, their forces were dismissed, and judicial powers were denied. Their rights in Zagir regions were reduced, and they lost privileges to remove their administrative role. Educated, experienced, and loyal English-speaking personnel were brought into bureaucracy, creating a loyal middle class.

Far-reaching consequences:
1. The British expanded railways and road systems to support their military and trade needs, making India more interconnected.
2. This was done to prevent future revolutions like 1857. The revolt seriously weakened the British administration's foundation and challenged European empires globally. Even though it failed, it sparked nationalism and strengthened patriotism among Indians. This revolution greatly boosted future independence movements, which continued until India gained freedom in 1947.
In simple words: Even though the 1857 revolt failed, it caused big changes. India came under the direct rule of the British Crown, and the British began building roads and railways for military and trade purposes. Most importantly, it awakened a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism among Indians, laying the groundwork for India's freedom struggle later on.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing consequences, separate them into immediate and long-term effects. Use bullet points or numbered lists for clarity, and explain how each consequence impacted India's future.

RBSE Solutions For Class 8 Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

 

Question 1. The first war of independence was fought in-
(a) 1858
(b) 1856
(c) 1857
(d) 1854
Answer: (c) 1857
In simple words: The major uprising that many call India's First War of Independence took place in the year 1857.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the exact year of significant historical events to avoid losing marks on basic factual questions.

 

Question 2. Nana Sahib lead the revolt of 1857 in-
(a) Kanpur
(b) Satara
(c) Jhansi
(d) Auwa
Answer: (a) Kanpur
In simple words: Nana Sahib was a key leader of the 1857 revolt in the city of Kanpur.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate key leaders with the specific places they led the revolt. This helps in mapping the spread of the rebellion.

II. Write True Or False Against Each Questions

 

Question. 1. Indian sepoys were happy to serve in distant land overseas. (True/False)
Answer: (F)
In simple words: Indian soldiers were generally not happy about serving in faraway lands because it went against some of their religious and social beliefs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Many religious and social customs of the time made overseas travel difficult for sepoys, which became a point of conflict with the British.

 

Question. 2. Nana Saheb became the leader of revolt of 1857 in Delhi. (True/False)
In simple words: Nana Saheb was a leader in Kanpur, not Delhi; Bahadur Shah II was declared emperor in Delhi during the revolt.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you know which leaders were active in which specific cities during the revolt to avoid common misconceptions.

 

Question. 3. Social reforms introduced by the British were readily welcomed by the people in India. (True/False)
In simple words: While some reforms were positive, many Indians did not readily welcome British social reforms because they felt it was interference in their traditional customs and religion.

🎯 Exam Tip: British social reforms, despite good intentions, often led to resentment due to cultural misunderstandings and a perception of foreign intervention.

 

Question. 4. Rani Laxi Bai led the revolt to control India. (True/False)
In simple words: Rani Laxmi Bai was a brave leader of the revolt in Jhansi, fighting for her kingdom and against British rule, but her aim was not to control all of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the specific motivations and aims of individual leaders in the revolt, as many fought for their kingdoms rather than a unified pan-Indian control.

 

Question. 1. introduced the doctrine of lapse.
Question. 2. The revolt of 1857 was also India's of independence.
Answer:
1. Lord Dalhousie introduced the doctrine of lapse.
2. The revolt of 1857 was also India's first war of Independence.
In simple words: Lord Dalhousie brought in a policy called the 'Doctrine of Lapse,' and the 1857 revolt is also known as India's first big fight for freedom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key British policies and their architects, along with the various names or descriptions given to historical events like the 1857 revolt.

IV. Match The Following

Answer:
1. Nana Sahib - Disallowed to inherit the pension and title of the Peshwa.
2. Tantia Tope - Joined Laxmibai to fight against the British.
3. Bahadur Shah - Was informed that his heirs would not be allowed to stay in Royal Red Fort.
4. Rani of Jhansi - Disallowed to adopt son.
5. Mangal Pandey - The first hero of 1857.
In simple words: This matching exercise connects important leaders of the 1857 revolt with the specific issues or roles they had. For example, Nana Sahib lost his pension, Rani of Jhansi could not adopt a son, and Mangal Pandey is known as the first hero.

🎯 Exam Tip: For 'Match the Following' questions, draw lines or write out the pairs clearly. Knowing the core issue or key action of each person is vital.

V. Answer The Following In Detail

 

Question 1. Write the immediate cause of the revolt?
Answer: The immediate cause of the 1857 revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle in the Indian army. The cartridges for this rifle were greased with animal fat, which was rumored to be from cows and pigs. Indian soldiers had to bite off the end of these cartridges before loading them. This deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, as cows are sacred to Hindus and pigs are forbidden for Muslims. This act was seen as a direct attack on their religious beliefs and sparked widespread anger and rebellion among the soldiers. This controversial cartridge issue was the spark that ignited the already simmering discontent.
In simple words: The main reason the revolt started immediately was the new rifle cartridges. Soldiers had to bite them, and they were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, which deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers' religious feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: The 'greased cartridges' issue is the most crucial immediate cause of the 1857 revolt. Explain clearly how it offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.