10th Social Notes (First war of Indian Independence)

 10^th First war of Indian Independence

I. Fill in the blanks with suitable answers :

1. The Mutiny of 1857 was called as Sepoy mutiny by the British historians.

2. The policy implemented by Dalhousie is Doctrine of policy.

3. During the mutiny of 1857, Mangal Pandey killed a British officer.

4. Jhansi Rani took over Gwalior from the British during her war against them.

 

II. Discuss in groups and answer the following questions :

1. What were the results of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse? Discuss.
Ans: a) Many kingdoms lost their rights due to this policy.

b) Satara, Jaipur, Jhansi, Udaipur and other kingdoms came under the British control.

c) Dalhousie canceled the princely titles of the Nawab of Tanjore and Carnatic kingdoms.

d) The Moghul Sultan, the Nawab of Oudh and other kings were thrown out of their kingly status.

e) Thousands of soldiers dependent on these kings became unemployed.

 

2. How did the economic policies result in the mutiny of 1857? Explain.
Ans: a) Due to the development of industrialization in England, the Indian handicrafts and industries diminished.

b) The artisans of India became unemployed.

c) The weavers were the first victims as wool and cloth-making industries suffered a lot.

d) The Indian handicrafts became financially pathetic.

e) Due to Zamindary system, the farmers were exploited by Zamindars.

d) Land tax collection rights awarded to Talukadars were withdrawn

e) By forming Inam commissions, Inam lands were also withdrawn.

As result, the farmers had to undergo lot of economic hardships and felt insulted.

f) Hence, the farmers also protested all these.

 

3. What were the issues that outraged the religious feelings of the Soldiers?
Ans: a) The British started providing ‘Royal Enfield’ guns, a type of
new and improved guns.

b) A rumour spread that the bullets of these guns were smeared in the fat of pig and cow.

c) The cow was sacred for Hindus and the pig was prohibited for Muslims. This became the immediate cause for the mutiny.
d) This rumour caused lot of unrest in Barackpur military soldiers.
e) When the soldiers were directed to load the bullets to the gun by chewing off a part of bullet and soldiers refused to do it.

f) The soldiers of Barackpur revolted against the British officers.

g) A soldier named Mangal Pandey shot dead a British officer. Mangal Pandey was arrested and after a trail he was hanged to deat

 

4. What were the immediate causes for the First War of Indian Independence?
Ans: a) A rumour spread among the soldiers that the cartridges used in the rifles were greased with the fat of cow and pigs. Cows were sacred to the Hindus, whereas pigs were blasphemous for Muslims. This incident became the immediate for the war.

b) When the British officers ordered the soldiers to use the rifles by biting the cartridges, they refused to do so. An Indian soldier named as Mangal Pandey killed a British Officer. Soon he was arrested by the British, tried and hanged to death. This was also an immediate cause for the First War of Independence.

 

5. List out the reasons that led to the failure of the mutiny.
Ans:a) It did not cover every part of India.

b) It was mainly concentrated on the issues of the rights of kings and Queens rather than liberation of the country.

c) The unity among the British and the disunity among the Indian soldiers resulted in its failure.

d) The mutiny lacked direction and leadership.

f) The Indian soldiers lacked military strategies planning capabilities and soldering skills.

g) The freedom fighters lacked a definite aim.

h) Many of the Indian kings extended their loyalties to the British and did not support the freedom fighters.

i) The plundering and other crimes committed by the Sepoys made them to lose the faith of common people.

 

6. What was the main aspect of the declaration of the British Queen?
Ans: a) The agreements entered by the company with the local Kings were accepted.
b) Non pursuance of regional expansion.
c) Providing a stable government for Indians
d) Equality before the law
e) Non-interference of the government in religious issues of Indians
and practicing religious tolerance.