Question

Why did small time rulers and chieftains support the sepoys? (1857)

Answer 1

Question 1: What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Answer: After the death of her husband, Rani Lakshmidai wanted her adopted son to be recognized as the heir to the kingdom.
Question 2: What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?
Answer: In 1850, a new law allowed an Indian who had converted to Christianity to inherit property of his ancestors. This law made it easier to convert to Christianity.
Question 3: What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?
Answer: It was rumoured that the new cartridges were coated with the fat of cows and pigs. This hurt the sentiments of both the Hindus and the Muslims.
Question 4: How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?
Answer: The last Mughal emperor spent the last years of his life in a jail in Rangoon; along with his wife.
Question 5: What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?
Answer: Within hundred years of assuming the Diwani of Bengal, the British became the unquestioned rulers over a large part of the Indian subcontinent. They rarely had to use force to take control over a territory. They were doing profitable trade which was their main objective. They also succeeded in winning the support of most of the local rajas and chieftains. These are some of the possible reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857.
Question 6: What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families?
Answer: The decision by Bahadur Shah Zafar to support the rebellion had dramatically changed the entire situation. Most of the smaller rulers and chieftains had been ruling over their territories on behalf of the Mughal ruler. They hoped that if the Mughal ruler could once again resume power, they would also be able to rule their own territories once again. People were emboldened by an alternative possibility.
Question 7: How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?
Answer: The British also tried to win back people’s loyalty. Rewards were announced for loyal landholders. The loyal landlords were allowed to enjoy their traditional rights over the land. The rebels were told that if they submitted to the British, they would remain safe and their claims and rights would not be denied. But there was a condition that they had not killed any white people.
Question 8: In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?
Answer: The British made various changes in their policies after the revolt of 1857. Some of them are as follows:
The British Crown took the direct responsibility of governance in India.
All the ruling chiefs and kings were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future. They could pass on their kingdom to their heirs; including the adopted sons. However, they were to accept the suzerainty of the British Crown.
A decision was taken to increase the proportion of Europeans in the army. More people were to be recruited from among the Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathans.
It was decided to respect the local customs and traditions.
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