When People Rebel: 1857 and After - Long Answer Questions
The introduction of the Enfield Rifle. Cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat. Soldiers had to bite them. This offended Hindu and Muslim sentiments.
A young soldier hanged on 29 March 1857 for attacking his officers in Barrackpore.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor. Soldiers marched to Delhi and proclaimed him their leader.
Adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. He lived in Kanpur and gathered armed forces against the British.
Queen of Jhansi. She fought to regain her kingdom (Doctrine of Lapse victim) and fought alongside Tantia Tope.
An old zamindar from Bihar (Arrah) who joined the rebel sepoys and battled the British.
Loss of power, Doctrine of Lapse, subsidiary alliance, and presence of Residents in courts.
High taxes, loss of land to moneylenders. Sepoys were unhappy with pay, allowances, and the order to cross the sea (loss of caste).
When soldiers as a group disobey their officers in the army.
They brought reinforcements from England. Recaptured Delhi (Sept 1857). Bahadur Shah was tried and exiled to Rangoon. They used terror and brutal force.
Power transferred from EIC to the British Crown. A Secretary of State for India was appointed. Governor-General became 'Viceroy'.
Proportion of Indian soldiers reduced, Europeans increased. Sikhs, Gurkhas, and Pathans recruited instead of soldiers from Awadh/Bihar.
They were treated with suspicion and hostility. Their land and property were confiscated on a large scale. British felt they were responsible for the rebellion.
Their rights over land were recognized and secured (to win back loyalty).
Wife of Wajid Ali Shah. She took active part in organizing the uprising in Lucknow.
General of Nana Saheb. He fought a guerrilla war in central India.
A derogatory term for foreigners (British).
Sentenced to life imprisonment. Sent to Rangoon (Myanmar). Died there in 1862. His sons were shot.
It united various sections (kings, soldiers, peasants) against a common enemy for the first time on a large scale.
It made it mandatory for sepoys to travel overseas if required. This violated religious beliefs.
When People Rebel: 1857 and After - Important Facts
Revolt started on 10 May 1857 in Meerut.
Mangal Pandey hanged in March 1857.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the symbolic head.
Rani Lakshmibai died fighting in June 1858.
Tantia Tope was captured and killed in 1859.
Nana Saheb escaped to Nepal.
Begum Hazrat Mahal escaped to Nepal.
Delhi recaptured in September 1857.
Bahadur Shah died in Rangoon in 1862.
Viceroy title replaced Governor-General.
Lord Canning was the first Viceroy.
Act of 1858 ended Company rule.
Sitaram Pande wrote 'From Sepoy to Subedar'.
Vishnubhatt Godse wrote 'Majha Pravaas'.
85 sepoys were dismissed in Meerut.
British believed Indian society needed reform.
Sati was abolished.
Widow remarriage was allowed.
English education was promoted.
Missionaries were active.
Awadh was annexed in 1856.
British land revenue policies caused anger.
The response of the British was brutal.
Blow from guns was a punishment.
Ahmadullah Shah was the Maulvi of Faizabad.
Bakht Khan was a soldier from Bareilly.
British had superior weapons.
Telegraph helped the British.
Railways helped the British move troops.
Gurkhas remained loyal to British.
Revolt confined mostly to North India.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta.
Cow and Pig fat rumour was the spark.
Crossing the sea meant losing caste.
Subedar is an army rank.
Sepoys were peasants in uniform.
Unity between Hindus and Muslims was strong.
British tried 'Divide and Rule' later.
Paramountcy of Crown established.
Secretary of State was a British Cabinet member.
India Council advised the Secretary.
Princes were assured of their territories.
Landlords were given security of tenure.
Middle class did not support the revolt much.
Taiping Rebellion happened in China (1850).
Hong Xiuquan led Taiping Rebellion.
Revolts shape history.
When People Rebel: 1857 and After - Important Dates/Terms
The Great Revolt
Queen's Proclamation/Act
Death of Bahadur Shah Zafar