NCERT Book Class 8 Social Science (History) Chapter 5 When People Rebel 1857 and After

5 When People Rebel
1857 and After

Fig. 1 – Sepoys and peasants
gather forces for the revolt that
spread across the plains of north
India in 1857

Policies and the People
In the previous chapters you looked at the policies of the
East India Company and the effect they had on different
people. Kings, queens, peasants, landlords, tribals, soldiers
were all affected in different ways. You have also seen how
people resist policies and actions that harm their interests
or go against their sentiments.

Nawabs lose their power
Since the mid-eighteenth century, nawabs and rajas had
seen their power erode. They 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.
Many ruling families tried to negotiate with the
Company to protect their interests. For example, Rani
Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the Company to recognise
her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the
death of her husband. Nana Saheb, the adopted son of

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