Question

What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion of 1857 have on the people and the ruling families?

Answer 1

The Mughal kings had been ruling the country since last three hundred years. Though, after the death of Aurangzeb, the empire began to disintegrate, there were many kings and nawabs who still owed allegiance to the Mughal ruler. They were controlling and ruling various parts of the country on the behalf of the Mughal ruler. Threatened by the expansionist policies of the British, the kings and the nawabs felt that they could rule again under the British authority.


When Bahadur Shah Zafar took over the leadership of the revolt and wrote letters to various chiefs and the rulers to support the sepoys, the rebellion quickly spread in the northern parts of the country. The leadership of the Mughal emperor seemed to provide legitimacy to it. Sepoys revolted in Delhi, Awadh and Kanpur. The people also participated in the revolt. The leadership of Bahadur Shah Zafar gave a national character to the revolt which was mainly centered in northern parts of the country.

Answer 2

$\huge{HEY!!}$

_________________________________

⭕When the rebellion of 1857 started, the soldiers marched to the Red Fort and persuaded Bahadur Shah to challenge the British power, the soldiers saw him as a leader but Bahadur Shah Zafar was and willing to do so.

⭕Later on, the emperor accepted by demand. He wrote letters to all chiefs and rulers of the country to come forward and organise a confederacy of Indian states to fight against the British.

⭕The small rulers who control the small and areas felt that if the Mughal empror will become ruler again, they will be able to rule their territories under Mughal authority.

⭕After the reestablishment of Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Sahab proclaimed himself as peshwa under the emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

⭕Birjs Quadar was proclaimed a new nawab. He also accepted the supremecy of Bahadur Shah.

⭕After the revolt, the company decided to repress the revolt. The emperor was tried in the court and sentenced to life imprisonment.