When People Rebel

Question 1.
What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?

Answer:
To accept her adopted son to succeed the throne of the king, after the death of her husband.

Question 2.
What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?

Answer:
Those who converted to Christianity would inherit the property of his ancestors.

Question 3.
What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?

Answer:
Objections the sepoys had to the new cartridges were:

• The cartridges were greased with the fat of cows and pigs.
• The sepoys had to use mouth to remove the covering of the cartridges.
• They termed the cartridges to be a violation of the religious sentiments.
• Hence, they rebelled.

Question 4.
How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?

Answer:
The last Mughal emperor lived a very pathetic life during the last years of his life. He was tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon. He died there after four years.

Question 5.
What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?

Answer:
Reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857

1. The traditional rulers failed to develop independent leadership.
2. They also failed to have independent social, economic, and political aims of their own.
3. They fought among themselves and could not present a united front against the foreign rule.
4. A section of the people practiced inhuman social practices. They did not rise in revolt against the Britishers.

Question 6.
What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families?

Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion boosted the morale of the people and the ruling families. They became united to fight the British authority with double spirit.

People of the towns and villages rose up in rebellion and rallied around local leaders, zamindars and chiefs. Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the late Peshwa Baji Rao, who lived near Kanpur, gathered arme forces and expelled the British garrison from the city. He proclaimed himself Peshwa.

He declared that he was a Governor under emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. In Lucknow, Birjis Qadr, the son of the deposed Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was proclaimed the new Nawab. He too acknowledged the suzerainty of Bahadur Shah Zafar. In Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai joined the rebel sepoys and fought the British along with Tantia Tope, the general of Nana Saheb.

Question 7.
How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?

Answer:
British succeeded in securing the submissions of the rebel landowners of Awadh:

• They provided inheritance rights to the landowners (who would enjoy traditional rights over their land).
• They were exempted from taxes.
• They were rewarded.
• They would be safe and their rights and claims would not be denied to them.

Question 8.
In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?

Answer:
Some important changes brought by the British after the revolt were:
1. According to the Act of 1858 powers of the East India Company were transferred to the British Crown in India.

• Secretary of State was appointed for governance and Governor-General was given the title of Viceroy.
• Secretary of State was to be assisted by a council of 15 members. It was only an advisory body.
• Governor-General was answerable to the Secretary of State.

2. All rulers were made to acknowledge British Queen as Sovereign Paramount and were allowed to pass their kingdoms to their heirs.

• The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army was reduced. More soldiers were taken from Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathans.

3. Muslims were seen held responsible for rebellion and their land was confiscated.
4. Social and religious practices were given respect.

• Zamindars and landlords were given protection and rights over their lands.

Question 9.
Find out stories and songs remembered by people in your area or your family about San Satavan Ki Ladaai. What memories do people cherish about the great uprising?

Answer:
Memories

• Sepoy Mutiny started from Meerut. .
• Support of Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• Spread of the mutiny over all of India.
• Thousands of Firangis killed.
• Thousands of people sacrificed their lives.
• Mutiny suppressed.
• British Foundation was shaken in India.
• Concessions given to Indians.

Question 10.
Find out more about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. In what ways would she have been an unusual woman for her times?

Answer:
Rani of Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai was the bravest among all the leaders of 1857 who tried to defeat the British forces. After the death of her husband she had adopted a son but the then Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie refused to give the rule of Jhansi to the adopted child, and Jhansi was annexed to the British Empire.

When the revolt started against the British, Rani Lakshmibai also participated in it and fought very bravely. Her bravery would always continue to inspire the Indians. With the help of her commanders Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope, and her Afghan supporters, she occupied Gwalior. Hearing about her bravery, the army of Scindia deserted their Maharaja and joined Rani of Jhansi. In the end, she was defeated by the British and died fighting bravely against the British.

She might be called an unusual woman of her times because of the following reasons:

• She became a widow at the age of 15 years but she did not lose heart.
• She did not accept the British atrocities and challenged them.
• She ruled Jhansi very bravely and efficiently after her husband’s death.