Question

On what excuse Awadh was taken over by the British ruler? What was the public reaction to this
policy?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Awadh was annexed to the East India Company's dominion on the pretext of alleged misrule.

People's reaction:

• The sentiments of the people were hurt as the British seemed to have broken their promises to the ruling chiefs.
• The soldiers were affected as they had to pay higher land revenue for the land their families held in Awadh. This created a sense of disloyalty in them.
• Many nobles and patrons lost their jobs, so people were angry.
• It gave rise to much chaos which helped in the First War Of Independence in 1857.

Answer 2

Answer:

In 1856, Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh to the Company's dominions ont he pretext of alleged misrule. The annexation of Awadh was arbitrary as the British seemed to have broken their promises made to the ruling chiefs. This caused resentment among the Indians in general and Awadh in particular.

Lord Dalhousie justified that annexation of Awadh on the pretext of "the good of the governed". But the people of Awadh, on the contrary, had to face more hardships. They had to pay higher land revenue and additional taxes on food, houses, ferries and justice.

The dissolution of the Nawab of Awadh's army and administration threw thousands of nobles, soldiers and officials out of job. The British confiscated the estates of the taluqdars or zamindars. The dispossessed  taluqdars became opponents of the British rule.

The comany's sepoys of whom 75,000 were from Awadh were the worst affected. These soldiers helped the company capture (conquer) most of India but they didn't like their homelands come under the company's rule (foreign sway). The annexation of the Awadh also affected the soldiers financial position. They had to pay higher taxes on the land they held in Awadh.

In fact, Awadh played a major role in the uprising of 1857.

Explanation:

Hope this helps!!