NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science (History) Chapter 5 When People Rebel 1857

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 8TH

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Book - Our Pasts-III Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 History

Class : 8th
Subject : History
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : When People Rebel

Q1 What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British.

Answer. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the East India Company to recognise her
adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. This demand was
refused by the British. Ultimately, the Company annexed the kingdom as per the
Doctrine of Lapse.

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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.
Thislaw allowed an Indian who had converted to Christianity to inherit the property
of hisancestors.

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

Answer. The new cartridges were suspected of being coated with the fat of cows and
pigs.Both Hindus and Muslim sepoys were offended by the introduction of these
cartridges.Their religious sentiments were affected, and this was the reason they refused
to use thecartridges. They felt that the British were trying to insult their religions.

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Q4 How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?

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Answer. After the death of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperors held only symbolic value.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last such Mughal emperor. During the 1857 revolt, the rebels
needed someone who would rule the land once the British were thrown out of the
country. They decided that this leader would have to be the Mughal emperor living in the
Red Fort, in Delhi. Though a reluctant leader at �rst, Bahadur Shah did play an
important role in the rebellion. Though Mughals had lost their earlier authority, a
Mughal emperor's word still held importance for quite a number of smaller rulers and
chieftains. Bahadur Shah sent letters to all such chiefs and rulers, urging them to come
forward and support the rebellion. After the revolt was suppressed, Bahadur Shah was
tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in
Rangoon in October 1858. He died in the Rangoon jail in November 1862.

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Q5 What could be the reasons for the con�dence of the British rulers about their position
in India before May 1857?

Answer. Since the mid-eighteenth century, the power ot the nawabs and rajas was on its
decline. The presence of British Residents in the courts further eroded their authority
and curtailed their freedom to administer their kingdoms. The various kingdoms were
forced to disband their armies and enter into a subsidiary alliance with the British.
The terms of the subsidiary alliance, and later. ot the Doctrine of Lapse were such that
the East India Company slowly but surely took control over the kingdoms one by one.
From 1757 to 1857. the Company successfully annexed various Indian states. virtually
unopposed, by using a variety of political, economic and diplomatic methods. It rarely
had to use military power. Another reason for the con�dence of the British was the
decline of the Mughal dynasty The Company, through various measures, ensured that
the dynasty came to an end. The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins
minted by the Company. It was also decided upon that Bahadur Shah would be the last
Mughal king and after his death. none of his descendents would be recognised as kings.
The fact that apart from the Company there was no other dominant authority in the
Indian subcontinent. and the belief that there was absolutely no threat to its authority
together contributed to its con�dence about its position in India before May 1857. This
is the reason why the revolt and the threatening form it took came as a shock to the
British.

Q6 What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion have on the people
and the ruling families?

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Answer. During the revolt, the defeat of the British forces in a number of battles caused a
number of uprisings against the British in various Indian states. A widespread popular
rebellion developed in the region of Awadh in particular. The villages took to arms and
tie landlords led them. After the defeat of tie rebel forces. the British had a two-pronged
strategy to suppress the rebels and the rebellion. On the one hand, they tried and hanged
a number of rebel leaders who had challenged their authority and could do so again in tie
tumre. On the other hand, they tried their best to win back the loyalty of the people.
They announced reward for loyal landowners. They were assured that they would be
allowed to continue to enjoy traditional rights over their lands. Those
who had rebelled were told that if they submitted to tie British. and if they had not killed
any white people. they would remain safe and their rights and claims to land would not
be denied.

Q7 How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of
Awadh?

Answer. During the revolt, the defeat of the British forces in a number of battles caused a
number of uprisings against the British in various Indian states. A widespread popular
rebelh on developed in the region of Awadh in particular. The Wages took to arms and
the landlords led them. After the defeat of the rebel forces. the Brmsh had a two-pronged
strategy to suppress the rebels and the rebellion. On one hand. they tried and hanged a
number ot rebel leaders had challenged their authority and could do so again in the
mature. On the other hand, they tried their best to win back the loyalty of the people.
They announced reward for loyal landowners. They were assured that they WOLM be
allowed to continue to enjoy traditional rights over their lands. Those who had were told
that if they submitted to the British. and it they had not killed any white people, they
would remain safe and their rights and claims to land would not be denied.

Q8 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) British Crown took over the control ot administration — The British parliament
passed an Act in 1859, under which, the powers of the East India Company were
transferred to the British Crown, The British government was now directly responsible
for ruling India.
(ii) provided a sense of security to the local rulers — The ruling chiefs ot the country

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were assured that their territories would never be annexed by the British. However. they
had to swear allegiance to the British crown, They also abolished the Doctrine of Lapse,
thereby allowing rulers to pass on their kingdoms to adopted sons.
(iii) provided a sense of security to - Policies were made to protect landlords and
zamindars, and give them security ot rights over their lands.
(iv) Reorganised the army — The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army was reduced
and the number of European soldiers in me army was increased.
(v) Treated the Muslims with suspicion and hostility — Considering them to be
responsible for the rebellion in a big way. the British con�scated the land and property ot
Muslims on a large scale.
(vi) promised non-interference in the sphere of religion - The British assured the people
of India that their religious and social practises would be respected and not interfered
with.

Q9 Find out stories and songs remembered by people in your area or your family about
San Sattavan ki Ladaai. What memories do people cherish about the great uprising?

Answers. It re�ects on the battle of begum Hazrat mahal, the queen of Awadh.
She was a very brave lady and took part at the time of sipahi mutiny (1857-58).
She tried her level best to win against British force but somehow, she was defeated by the
British and Britishers captured the entire Awadh or snatch that area and started ruling it
under their control.

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Q10 Find out more about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. In what ways would she have been
an unusual woman for her times?

Answers. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi is one of the brave freedom Fighters. She was as
unusual lady in every sense. Right from the beginning of her life she lived like a boy. She
learnt all the skills of a true soldier. She was the legal heir of Damodar Rao. When the
British government overruled her claim under the policy of 'Doctrine of Lapse' she stood
against the government and fought bravely.

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