Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 5 (When People Rebel) – Our Pasts - III (Part-1) Book

Alright class, let's delve into Chapter 5, 'When People Rebel: 1857 and After'. This is a crucial chapter, not just for your exams but for understanding the course of modern Indian history. The events of 1857 marked a significant turning point in India's relationship with the British.

Detailed Notes: Chapter 5 - When People Rebel (1857 and After)

1. Context: Policies and the People (Mid-18th Century to Mid-19th Century)

• Nawabs and Rajas Lose Power: The East India Company gradually eroded the power and authority of Indian rulers.

  • Subsidiary Alliance: Imposed by Lord Wellesley. Indian rulers accepting it had to maintain British forces in their territory (paid for by them), accept a British Resident, and couldn't negotiate with other rulers without British approval. This effectively ended their sovereignty. Examples: Hyderabad, Awadh.
  • Doctrine of Lapse: Imposed by Lord Dalhousie. If an Indian ruler died without a natural male heir, his kingdom would 'lapse', i.e., become part of Company territory. Annexed states include Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), and Jhansi (1854).
  • Annexation of Awadh (1856): Annexed on the pretext of 'misgovernment'. This was deeply resented as Awadh had been a loyal ally. The deposition of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah caused widespread anger.
  • Disrespect to the Mughal Emperor: Lord Dalhousie announced that after Bahadur Shah Zafar's death, his family would be moved out of the Red Fort. Lord Canning later announced that Zafar's successors would not even be recognised as Kings, only Princes.

• Peasants and Sepoys Suffer:

  • Economic Exploitation: Peasants faced high taxes and rigid revenue collection methods (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari). Failure to pay meant losing their lands.
  • Sepoy Discontent: Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the Company's army had their own grievances:
    • Pay and Conditions: Low pay, poor promotion prospects compared to British soldiers, racial discrimination.
    • Religious Sentiments: Fears that their religious beliefs and practices were being threatened. The General Service Enlistment Act (1856) required new recruits to serve overseas if needed, which violated the Hindu belief that crossing the sea ('kala pani') led to loss of caste.
    • Loss of Allowances: Sepoys serving in newly annexed territories like Sindh and Punjab lost their extra allowance ('bhatta').
    • Connection to Peasantry: Many sepoys were from peasant families and were affected by the agrarian distress. The annexation of Awadh, home to many sepoys, particularly angered them.

• Responses to Reforms:

  • Social Reforms: British reforms like the abolition of Sati (1829) and the legalization of widow remarriage (1856) were seen by orthodox sections as interference in Indian customs and religion.
  • Christian Missionaries: Their activities and the perceived support from the Company fueled fears of forced conversion. A law passed in 1850 allowed converts to Christianity to inherit ancestral property, further increasing suspicion.
  • Western Education: Introduction of Western education was also viewed with suspicion by some.

2. The Spark: The Mutiny Begins

• The Greased Cartridges (Immediate Cause): The immediate trigger was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle. Its cartridges had a greased paper cover that had to be bitten off before loading. Rumours spread that the grease was made from the fat of cows (sacred to Hindus) and pigs (taboo for Muslims). This outraged both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.
• Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore, March 1857): A sepoy at Barrackpore, attacked his officers in protest against the cartridges. He was executed.
• Meerut Uprising (May 1857): On 9th May 1857, 85 sepoys in Meerut refused to use the new cartridges. They were court-martialled and imprisoned. The next day, May 10th, other sepoys in Meerut revolted. They freed the imprisoned soldiers, killed British officers, captured arms and ammunition, and set fire to British property. They then marched towards Delhi.

3. The Rebellion Spreads

• March to Delhi: Meerut sepoys reached Delhi on 11th May. They persuaded the aged Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, to accept leadership of the rebellion. This was symbolically significant, giving the revolt a potential focal point.
• Wider Uprising: The rebellion spread rapidly across northern and central India. Regiments mutinied, and civilians joined in large numbers.
• Key Centres and Leaders:
  • Delhi: General Bakht Khan (a soldier from Bareilly) took charge of the rebel forces. Bahadur Shah Zafar was the nominal leader.
  • Kanpur: Nana Saheb (adopted son of the last Peshwa Baji Rao II) led the revolt. He was assisted by Tantia Tope and Azimullah Khan.
  • Lucknow: Begum Hazrat Mahal (wife of the deposed Nawab Wajid Ali Shah) led the uprising. Her son, Birjis Qadr, was proclaimed the Nawab.
  • Jhansi: Rani Lakshmibai fought fiercely after the British refused to recognise her adopted son's claim to the throne following her husband's death. She fought alongside Tantia Tope.
  • Bareilly: Khan Bahadur Khan.
  • Arrah (Bihar): Kunwar Singh, an old zamindar.
  • Faizabad: Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah, a prominent leader who prophesied the end of British rule.
• Participation: The revolt saw participation from various sections – rulers, taluqdars (landholders, especially in Awadh who lost lands), peasants, artisans, sepoys, and religious leaders. It represented a widespread challenge to British authority.

4. The Company Fights Back

• British Response: The British were initially shaken but responded forcefully.
  • Reinforcements were brought in from Britain.
  • New laws were passed to facilitate the conviction of rebels.
  • Key strategic locations were prioritized for recapture.
• Recapture of Delhi: Delhi was recaptured in September 1857 after fierce fighting. Bahadur Shah Zafar was captured, tried for treason, and exiled to Rangoon (Burma), where he died in 1862. His sons were shot dead.
• Suppression in Other Areas: Lucknow was retaken in March 1858. Rani Lakshmibai died fighting in June 1858 near Gwalior. Tantia Tope escaped but was captured and executed in April 1859. Nana Saheb escaped, likely to Nepal. Kunwar Singh died of wounds. Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah was killed.
• Brutality: The suppression was marked by extreme brutality on both sides, but the British response was systematic and widespread, aiming to instill terror. Rebels were hanged publicly or blown from cannons.

5. Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt

• Lack of Unity and Coordination: Rebels in different regions had local grievances and lacked centralized leadership and planning.
• Limited Territorial Spread: The revolt was mainly confined to North and Central India. South India, Punjab, Sindh, Rajputana, and Bengal remained largely unaffected or even supported the British.
• Lack of Modern Weapons and Resources: Rebels fought bravely but were often poorly equipped compared to the disciplined British army with its superior weaponry and resources.
• No Unified Ideology: While anti-British sentiment was common, there wasn't a clear, unified vision for the future or an alternative political system.
• Support for the British: Many Indian rulers (like the Scindias, Holkars, Nizam of Hyderabad, rulers of Patiala, Nabha, Jind), zamindars, moneylenders, and educated Indians did not join the revolt; some actively helped the British. Sikh and Gurkha soldiers played a crucial role in suppressing the revolt.
• Effective British Leadership: The British had capable military commanders and administrators who planned and executed the suppression effectively.

6. Aftermath: Consequences of the Revolt

• End of Company Rule: The most significant result was the end of the East India Company's rule.
• Transfer of Power: The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858, transferring the powers of the EIC to the British Crown. India was now to be governed directly by and in the name of Her Majesty.
• New Administrative Structure:
  • A member of the British Cabinet was appointed Secretary of State for India, responsible for Indian affairs.
  • He was assisted by a Council of India.
  • The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy (personal representative of the Crown). Lord Canning became the first Viceroy.
• Queen Victoria's Proclamation (November 1, 1858):
  • Promised non-annexation of Indian states; existing treaties would be honoured.
  • Promised non-interference in Indian religious beliefs and social customs.
  • Promised equal treatment under the law for Indians and Europeans (though often violated in practice).
  • Pardons offered to rebels except those directly involved in killing British subjects.
• Reorganisation of the Army:
  • The proportion of European soldiers was increased significantly.
  • Crucial branches like artillery were placed exclusively in European hands.
  • Policy of recruiting soldiers from 'martial races' (like Sikhs, Gurkhas, Pathans) who had remained loyal, and reducing recruitment from areas like Awadh and Bihar where the revolt was strong.
• Policy Towards Landlords and Zamindars: Policies were made to protect landlords and zamindars and secure their loyalty by giving them rights over their lands.
• Widening Gulf: The revolt left a legacy of racial bitterness and suspicion between the British and Indians.
• Rise of Nationalism: Although the revolt failed, it served as a source of inspiration for the later nationalist movement, often referred to as the 'First War of Independence'.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which policy, implemented by Lord Dalhousie, was a major political cause for the Revolt of 1857, leading to the annexation of states like Satara, Jhansi, and Nagpur?
   a) Subsidiary Alliance
   b) Doctrine of Lapse
   c) Permanent Settlement
   d) General Service Enlistment Act

2. Who was proclaimed the leader of the rebellion in Delhi by the sepoys who marched from Meerut in May 1857?
   a) Nana Saheb
   b) Rani Lakshmibai
   c) Bahadur Shah Zafar
   d) Kunwar Singh

3. The immediate cause for the start of the Revolt of 1857 was:
   a) Annexation of Awadh
   b) Introduction of the Enfield Rifle with greased cartridges
   c) The General Service Enlistment Act
   d) High land revenue demands

4. Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt in which major centre?
   a) Kanpur
   b) Jhansi
   c) Lucknow
   d) Arrah

5. Which act passed by the British Parliament in 1858 transferred the powers of the East India Company to the British Crown?
   a) Regulating Act, 1773
   b) Pitt's India Act, 1784
   c) Charter Act, 1853
   d) Government of India Act, 1858

6. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857 and later became the first Viceroy?
   a) Lord Dalhousie
   b) Lord Canning
   c) Lord Wellesley
   d) Lord Bentinck

7. Mangal Pandey, who attacked his officers in Barrackpore leading to his execution, belonged to which regiment?
   a) 19th Native Infantry
   b) 34th Bengal Native Infantry
   c) 7th Awadh Regiment
   d) Meerut Light Cavalry

8. Which of the following was a major reason for the failure of the Revolt of 1857?
   a) Lack of participation from peasants
   b) Superior weaponry of the rebels
   c) Lack of unified leadership and coordination
   d) Complete support from all Indian rulers

9. Kunwar Singh, an important leader of the revolt, belonged to:
   a) Awadh
   b) Rohilkhand
   c) Bihar (Arrah)
   d) Central India

10. As a consequence of the Revolt of 1857, the British army was reorganised. What was a key change?
    a) The number of Indian soldiers was significantly increased relative to Europeans.
    b) Recruitment from Awadh and Bihar was increased.
    c) The proportion of European soldiers was increased, and artillery was placed under them.
    d) Indian soldiers were given equal pay and promotion opportunities as Europeans.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. (b)
2. (c)
3. (b)
4. (c)
5. (d)
6. (b)
7. (b)
8. (c)
9. (c)
10. (c)

Make sure you revise these points thoroughly. Understanding the causes, key events, leaders, and consequences is essential for your exams. Let me know if any part needs further clarification.