When people rebel question answers

Q1 :  

What was the demand of Rani Lakshmi bai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?

Answer  a. Rani Lakshmi bai of Jhansi wanted the East India Company to recognise her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. 

b. This demand was refused by the British. 
c. Ultimately, the Company annexed the kingdom as per the Doctrine of Lapse.

Q2 :  

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

Answer : In 1850, a new law was passed to make conversion to Christianity easier. This law allowed an Indian who had converted to Christianity to inherit the property of his ancestors.

Q3 :  What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?

Answer : a. The new cartridges were suspected of being coated with the fat of cows and pigs. 

b. Both Hindus and Muslim sepoys were resented by the introduction of these cartridges. Their religious sentiments were affected, and this was the reason they refused to use the cartridges. 

c. They felt that the British were trying to insult their religions.

Q4 :  

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

Answer :

Changes in the policies of the British after the suppression of the rebellion of 1857:

(i) The British Parliament passed an Act in 1859, under which, the powers of the East India Company were transferred to the British Crown.

(ii) The ruling chiefs of the country were assured that their territories would never be annexed by the British.  They also abolished the Doctrine of lapse.

(iii) Policies were made to protect landlords and zamindars, and give them security of rights over their lands.

(iv) The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army was reduced and the number of European soldiers in the army was increased.

(v)  Muslims Considered to be responsible for the rebellion in a big way, the British confiscated the land and property of Muslims on a large scale.

(vi) The British assured the people of India that their religious and social practises would be respected and not interfered with.

Q5 :  

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

Answer : a. During the revolt of 1857, Bahadur Shah did play an important role in the rebellion. 
b. He sent letters to all such chiefs and rulers, urging them to come forward and support the rebellion. 
c. After the revolt was suppressed, Bahadur Shah was tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. 
d. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon in October 1858. He died in the Rangoon jail in November 1862.

Question.6. What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857? 

Answer_ The reasons are given below:

 a.  The Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their authority and honour_ Residents had been stationed in many courts.

 b. The freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed farces disbanded and their revenues and territories taken away by stages.

c.  In 1849, Governor- General Dalhousie announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort. 
d.  In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal emperor and after his death his descendants would be recognised as princes. 
Question.7. How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh? 
Answer. The British succeeded in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh by providing them inheritance rights, i.e. they would enjoy the traditional rights over their land. The British also exempted them from taxes. 
Question.8. Why were the Indian sepoys in the employ of the Company discontented? Give sufficient reasons 
Answer. Reasons for their discontentment: 
(a) The Indian sepoys were given poor salaries and allowances.
(b) The conditions of service also made them unhappy.
(c) Some of the new rules even violated their religious sentiments and beliefs. 
(d) Many people in the country believed that if they crossed the sea they would lose their religion and caste.  
(e) In 1824 the sepoys were refused to go Burma by the sea route to fight for the Company  they were given severe punishment.  
Question.9. What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857? 
Answer_ The reasons are given below:
 (I) The  Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their authority and honour. Residents had been stationed in many courts, the freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed forces disbanded and their revenues and territories taken away by stages.
(ii)  In 1849, Governor- General Dalhousie announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort.
(iii) In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal emperor and after his death his descendants would be recognised as princes.

Question.10. What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafars support to the rebellion have on the people and the ruling famiilies? 
Answer. (i) Bahadur Shah Zafar's support to the rebellion boosted the morale of the people and the ruling families. 
(ii) They became united to fight the British authority with double spirit. 
(iii) People of the towns and villages rose up in rebellion and rallied around local leaders, zamindars and chiefs. 
(iv) Nana Saheb, the adopted son of the late Peshwa Baji Rao, who lived near Kanpur, gathered armed forces and expelled the British garrison from the city.
(v)  In Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi bai joined the rebel sepoys and fought the British along with Tantia Tope.
Question.11. How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh? 
Answer. (i) The British succeeded in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh by providing them inheritance rights, i.e. they would enjoy the traditional rights over their land. 
(ii) The British also exempted them from taxes.

Question.12. Why were the Indian sepoys in the employ of the Company discontented? Give sufficient reasons ?
Answer. Reasons for their discontentment: 
(a) The Indian sepoys were given poor salaries and allowances.
 (b) The conditions of service also made them unhappy.
(c) Some of the new rules even violated their religious sentiments and beliefs. 
(d) Many sepoys in the country believed that if they crossed the sea they would lose their religion and caste.
(e)In 1856, the Company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the Company's army had to agree to serve overseas if required.