Chapter 5 -When People Rebel : 1857 and After- Class 8 – History Notes

Policies and the People

What Happened:

The East India Company from Britain came to India. They started changing how things were run, which affected many people in different ways—like kings, queens, farmers, landlords, tribals, and soldiers.

How People Were Affected:

1. Kings and Queens (Nawabs and Rajas):
   • Before the British came, kings and queens had a lot of power and respect. But after the Company came, they started losing their power. The Company put their own officers, called Residents, in the courts to make sure the kings followed their rules.
   • The kings and queens tried to talk to the Company to keep their power, but the Company was too strong and didn’t listen. For example, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted her adopted son to be recognized as the next ruler after her husband died, but the Company said no.
2. Peasants and Landlords:
   • Farmers and landlords were upset because the Company made them pay a lot of taxes and took their lands if they couldn’t pay. This made life very hard for them.
3. Soldiers (Sepoys):
   • Even the Indian soldiers working for the Company were unhappy. They didn’t like their pay, and some new rules went against their religious beliefs. For instance, they believed that crossing the sea would make them lose their religion, so they were upset when told to travel by sea to fight in other places.

Big Changes Made by the Company:

• The Company started taking over more places, like Awadh, saying they weren’t being run properly and needed better management.
• They even planned to end the rule of the Mughal emperors, removing the emperor’s name from coins and declaring that after the current emperor, his family would not be allowed to rule.

What This Led To:

All these actions made many people in India very unhappy and angry. They felt the Company was taking over everything and not respecting their ways of life. This anger eventually led to a big revolt in 1857, where lots of people fought against the Company’s rule.

Also Check – Chapter 5 – When People Rebel, 1857 and After – Events and Key incidents

The Loss of Power Among Nawabs and Rajas

What Happened

Over time, as the British East India Company became more powerful, the traditional rulers of India, like nawabs and rajas, started losing their authority and respect.

Examples

1. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi:
   • Background: Rani Lakshmibai was the queen of Jhansi, a kingdom in India. When her husband died, they did not have a biological child, so they adopted a son.
   • What She Wanted: After her husband’s death, she wanted the Company to recognize her adopted son as the rightful heir to the throne of Jhansi.
   • Company’s Response: The Company refused her request. They used a policy called the Doctrine of Lapse, where they could take over any kingdom if the ruler died without a biological heir.
2. Nana Saheb:
   • Background: Nana Saheb was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, a big leader in Pune. Peshwas were like prime ministers in the Maratha Empire.
   • What He Wanted: After his father died, Nana Saheb asked the Company to continue giving him the pension that the Company had been paying his father.
   • Company’s Response: The Company refused this request too, leaving Nana Saheb without the financial support he was expecting.

Outcome:

• Both Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Saheb were denied their requests by the East India Company. The Company felt very strong and powerful, so they did not see the need to negotiate or compromise with the Indian rulers.
• This refusal to listen to the rulers’ requests showed how much control the Company had gained over India. It also showed that the Company was willing to change traditional rules and systems to increase their power.

Why This Matters:

• These actions by the Company made many Indian leaders and their people very unhappy and distrustful of British intentions.
• The denials faced by Rani Lakshmibai and Nana Saheb were significant because they showed the Company’s disregard for Indian leadership and customs, which later fueled widespread anger and led to the great uprising in 1857 against British rule.

Annexation of Awadh and Planning Against the Mughal Dynasty

What Happened

The British East India Company made some big moves that changed the political landscape in India, particularly by taking over the region of Awadh and making plans against the Mughal Empire.

Events:

1. Forced Annexation of Awadh:
   • Background: Awadh was a wealthy and strategically important region in India. The British had been influencing it for a long time but wanted more control.
   • What Happened: In 1856, the British claimed that the region was poorly managed and used this as an excuse to take complete control. They removed the local ruler and took over the administration.
   • Reason Given: The British Governor-General, Dalhousie, said that taking over Awadh was necessary for better management and to introduce proper administration.
2. Plans Against the Mughal Dynasty:
   • Background: The Mughal Empire had been losing power but still held symbolic importance in India.
   • What Happened: The British started planning to end the Mughal dynasty’s influence completely.
     • They stopped using the Mughal Emperor’s name on the coins they minted, which was a big sign of disrespect.
     • In 1849, it was declared that after the death of the current emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, his family would not be allowed to live in the Red Fort—a place of great importance to the Mughal rulers.
     • Later, it was decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal emperor, and after him, no one from his family would be recognized as royalty but only as princes.

Impact:

• Growing Discontent: These actions made many Indian rulers and the people very unhappy. The annexation of Awadh upset many local leaders and common people because they saw it as unfair and forceful.
• Distrust and Anger: The planning against the Mughal dynasty made people feel that the British were not respectful of Indian traditions and were only interested in expanding their power.
• Fears Confirmed: These moves confirmed the fears of many Indians that the British were there not just to trade but to take over their lands and control their governments.

Why This Matters:

• These aggressive policies of annexation and undermining traditional royal families pushed more people towards resisting British rule.
• The growing discontent and anger among the Indian rulers and people contributed to the large-scale uprising against the British in 1857, known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Indian Independence.

Discontent Among Peasants and Sepoys

What Happened

In the days when the British East India Company was ruling parts of India, both the farmers (peasants) and Indian soldiers (sepoys) faced problems that made them unhappy and upset with the British rules.

Issues:

1. High Taxes and Rigid Revenue Collection:
   • Farmers’ Problem: The peasants, who farmed the land, had to pay very high taxes to the British. The way these taxes were collected was also very strict. If the farmers couldn’t pay, they could lose their land or face harsh penalties.
   • Impact: This made life very hard for the farmers, many of whom couldn’t afford to pay and were at risk of losing their farms.
2. Violations of Religious and Cultural Beliefs:
   • Soldiers’ Problem: The Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, were part of the British army in India. Some new military rules went against their religious and cultural beliefs, which caused a lot of distress among them.
   • Example: One big issue was about crossing the sea. Many Indian religions believed that crossing the sea would make them lose their religion and caste status. So, when the sepoys were ordered to travel by sea to fight in places like Burma, they were very troubled by this.

Reactions:

1. Refusal to Use Sea Route:
   • What Happened: When ordered to travel by sea for a military campaign, the sepoys refused because it went against their religious beliefs. Even though the British later said they could go by land, the issue remained sensitive and caused a lot of anger.
   • Punishment: Those sepoys who refused were punished severely, which only made the rest of the sepoys more upset and mistrustful of the British intentions.

Why This Matters:

• These problems created a lot of anger and frustration among both the farmers and the soldiers. The farmers were upset about losing their lands and livelihoods, while the soldiers felt their religious rights were being ignored.
• This discontent among two such important groups in society – the peasants who produced the food and the soldiers who were supposed to protect the land – set the stage for bigger conflicts. It showed that not only were the British changing economic and political systems, but they were also interfering deeply in the personal and religious lives of the people.
• All this built up to massive resistance against the British, leading to the big revolt of 1857 where both peasants and sepoys played major roles.

British Reforms and Indian Response

What Happened

The British introduced several changes in India that they thought would improve society. However, these changes had mixed reactions among the Indian people.

Reforms Introduced by the British:

1. Abolition of Sati:
   • What It Was: Sati was an old practice where some widows were expected to throw themselves on their deceased husband’s funeral pyre.
   • Change: The British made this practice illegal, which meant that it was not allowed anymore.
2. Promotion of Widow Remarriage:
   • What It Was: Widows were often not allowed to remarry according to traditional customs.
   • Change: The British encouraged and supported the remarriage of widows, trying to give them a chance to start their lives again.
3. English-Language Education:
   • What It Was: Before the British, most education was in local languages and focused on traditional learning.
   • Change: The British started schools that taught in English and focused on subjects like science and mathematics.

Indian Responses to British Reforms:

• Mixed Feelings:
  • Some People Liked the Changes: Some Indians thought these changes were good because they modernized society and ended practices they saw as harmful.
  • Others Felt Attacked: Many Indians felt that these changes were attacks on their culture and traditions. They were worried that the British were trying to change their way of life and religious beliefs.

Specific Issues and Concerns:

• Religious Fears: When the British made it easier for Indians to convert to Christianity and allowed missionaries to own land and spread their religion, many Indians became worried that the British wanted to convert them all to Christianity.
• Cultural Identity: Many Indians saw the promotion of English and Western education as a threat to their own languages and cultural identities.

Why This Matters:

• These reforms, while meant to improve conditions, sometimes made people worried about losing their culture and traditions.
• The different reactions show how complex and challenging it can be to introduce big changes in a society. Some people might see them as improvements, while others might see them as threats.

Through the Eyes of the People

What Happened

This part of the chapter talks about how regular people and soldiers saw the changes and events during the British rule, especially around the time of the 1857 revolt. We learn this through the stories of two people, Vishnubhatt Godse and Subedar Sitaram Pande.

Perspectives Shared:

1. Vishnubhatt Godse:
   • Who He Was: Vishnubhatt Godse was a Brahman who traveled around India during the time of the 1857 uprising.
   • His Story: While traveling to attend a religious event, he met some sepoys (Indian soldiers in the British army). These sepoys told him about a big plan to start a rebellion against the British. They believed that the British were planning to destroy Indian religions and were treating the Indian kings and princes unfairly. This made many rulers and people very angry and ready to fight back.
2. Subedar Sitaram Pande:
   • Who He Was: Sitaram Pande was a high-ranking Indian soldier (Subedar) in the British army who served for many years.
   • His Story: He wrote his memories down, which tell us that the British takeover of the region of Awadh and other aggressive actions made the Indian soldiers distrust the British. He mentioned that agents from Indian rulers were spreading messages among the soldiers, making them feel that it was their duty to fight back to protect their kings and religion.

What These Stories Tell Us:

• General Discontent: Both stories show that there was a lot of unhappiness and anger among different groups of people in India. The common people and the soldiers felt that the British were treating them and their leaders unfairly.
• Rumors and Plans: These accounts also tell us that rumors and secret plans were spreading among the people and the soldiers, stirring them up and preparing them for a big revolt.

Why This Matters:

• These personal stories help us understand the feelings and thoughts of the people at the time. Knowing what regular people and soldiers thought and felt helps us see why such a big revolt against the British happened in 1857.
• These stories show that the revolt wasn’t just a sudden event but had been building up for a while because of the British actions and how they affected everyone’s lives.

The Outbreak of the Mutiny

What Happened

In 1857, a big revolt, often called the Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, started against the British rule in India. This section explains how the mutiny began and how it spread quickly across the country.

Spark of the Mutiny:

• Issue with the Cartridges:
  • Problem: The British introduced new rifle cartridges that were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat.
  • Why It Was a Problem: Cows are sacred to Hindus, and pigs are considered unclean by Muslims. Using these cartridges required soldiers to bite them open, which would force them to break their religious laws.
  • Reaction: This made the Indian soldiers, called sepoys, very angry and hurt because it showed disrespect to their religions.
• Event at Meerut:
  • What Happened: The anger over the cartridges first turned into open rebellion in Meerut, a city near Delhi.
  • Action Taken: On May 10, 1857, the sepoys in Meerut refused to use the cartridges, rebelled against their British officers, and captured the city’s military garrison.

Spread of the Mutiny:

• To Delhi and Beyond:
  • From Meerut to Delhi: After taking over Meerut, the rebellious sepoys marched to Delhi, the old capital of the Mughal Empire.
  • Actions in Delhi: When they reached Delhi, the rebellion gained more strength. The sepoys were joined by many people from different parts of society, including other soldiers, common people, and some local leaders.
  • Support from Mughal Emperor: They went to the Red Fort in Delhi and declared the Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as their leader, hoping to restore him as the real ruler of India.
• Widespread Rebellion:
  • Spread Across Regions: After Delhi, the mutiny spread rapidly to other parts of North India and then to Central and East India.
  • Participation: People from various sections of society, including peasants, landlords, and princes, joined the rebellion. They all had their grievances against British policies and saw the mutiny as a way to express their resistance.

Why This Matters:

• The outbreak and spread of the mutiny were crucial because they marked the beginning of the largest uprising against British rule in the 19th century.
• Understanding the spark and spread of the mutiny helps us see how deep the dissatisfaction with British rule was and how different issues, like disrespect for religious beliefs, could unite many people in rebellion.

From Meerut to Delhi: Key Battles and Leaders

What Happened

After the mutiny started in Meerut, it quickly moved to Delhi and other parts of India. This section talks about the major leaders and the important events that happened during this phase of the revolt.

Key Leaders:

1. Rani Lakshmibai:
   • Who She Was: The queen of Jhansi, a kingdom in central India. She became one of the most prominent leaders of the revolt after refusing to give up her kingdom to the British.
   • Role in the Revolt: Rani Lakshmibai led her forces against the British in several battles and became a symbol of resistance and bravery.
2. Nana Saheb:
   • Who He Was: The adopted son of the last Peshwa (Maratha leader), Baji Rao II.
   • Role in the Revolt: Nana Saheb declared himself the Peshwa during the revolt and led forces against the British, especially in the battle at Kanpur.
3. Bakht Khan:
   • Who He Was: A soldier from the British Indian army who joined the rebels.
   • Role in the Revolt: Bakht Khan took command of the rebel forces in Delhi and was instrumental in organizing the defense against the British assaults.

Key Events:

1. Seizure of Delhi:
   • What Happened: After rebelling in Meerut, the sepoys quickly moved to Delhi, where they captured the historic city and the Red Fort.
   • Significance: Capturing Delhi was symbolic and strategic because it was the ancient seat of the Mughal Empire. The rebels declared the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as their leader, hoping to inspire more people to join their cause.
2. Declarations in Favor of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar:
   • What Happened: The sepoys and other rebel leaders rallied around Bahadur Shah Zafar, asking him to take up the leadership of the revolt.
   • Impact: Although the emperor was old and not very powerful, declaring him as the leader gave the revolt a sense of legitimacy and a rallying point for resistance against the British.

Why This Matters:

• The movement from Meerut to Delhi marked a significant escalation in the revolt, turning it from a military mutiny into a widespread uprising.
• The involvement of prominent figures like Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, and Bakht Khan provided leadership and inspired many others to fight against British rule.

The Uprising Becomes a Popular Revolt

What Happened

 The revolt that started with the sepoys in Meerut and Delhi soon became much bigger and spread across many parts of India. This section explains how the rebellion grew beyond just the soldiers to include everyday people from various regions and how local leaders played a big role.

Expansion of the Revolt:

• Beyond the Military: Initially, the revolt involved mainly the Indian soldiers in the British army, known as sepoys. However, as news of the revolt spread, civilians (ordinary people like farmers, shopkeepers, and workers) also began to join.
• Spread Across Regions: The rebellion quickly moved beyond Delhi and Meerut to other important regions like Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, and many areas in Bihar and Bengal. People in these areas were unhappy with British rule for various reasons, including high taxes, loss of land, and disrespect for their traditions.

Local Leadership:

• Zamindars and Local Leaders: As the revolt spread, many local leaders, including zamindars (landowners), princes, and other influential figures, began to organize and lead the resistance against the British.
  • Examples of Leaders:
    • Nana Saheb: Took a leading role in Kanpur.
    • Rani Lakshmibai: Led the resistance in Jhansi.
    • Kunwar Singh: A leader in Bihar who rallied the people to join the revolt.
• Role of Leaders: These leaders were crucial because they had influence and resources. They could gather people, form armies, and plan attacks. They also provided a sense of direction and purpose to the uprising, often invoking ideas of justice and the restoration of traditional rule.

Why This Matters:

• Popular Support: The transformation of the revolt into a popular uprising showed that the discontent with British rule was widespread and deep-rooted. It was not just the soldiers who were unhappy; people from all walks of life felt oppressed and ready to fight for change.
• Impact of Local Leadership: The involvement of local leaders helped to organize the revolt more effectively and sustain it longer than if it had remained just a military mutiny. These leaders brought with them knowledge of local conditions and the support of the local population, which was crucial for the continuation and expansion of the uprising.

British Retaliation and the End of the Rebellion

What Happened

After the 1857 revolt spread and became a significant challenge, the British government responded with strong military action to regain control. This section explains how the British stopped the rebellion and what happened afterwards.

Military Response:

• Reinforcements: The British brought in additional troops from other parts of their empire, including fresh forces from Britain itself. These reinforcements helped them to fight back against the rebels with greater strength.
• Trials and Punishments: Many rebels, including soldiers and local leaders, were captured and put on trial. Severe punishments were handed out, including executions and long prison sentences, as a way to discourage further rebellion and regain authority.

Conclusion of the Rebellion:

• Suppression of the Uprising: Over time, with the help of these reinforcements and harsh measures, the British managed to suppress the uprising. The major centers of rebellion like Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow were recaptured, and the leaders were either killed or captured.
• Lasting Changes: Although the British succeeded in ending the revolt, the rebellion had a deep impact on how India was governed.
  • Immediate Changes: The British realized that they needed to change their policies to prevent such a massive uprising in the future. They made efforts to be more sensitive to Indian customs and reorganized the army to include more loyal troops from different regions.
  • Long-term Policy Changes: The most significant change was the end of the rule of the British East India Company. The British government took direct control over India, marking the start of the British Raj. The Governor-General of India was now called the Viceroy, representing the British crown directly.

Why This Matters:

• Ending of Company Rule: The rebellion showed that the East India Company was not capable of managing the vast region of India effectively and sensitively. The shift to direct British government rule aimed to bring more orderly administration and greater investment in India’s infrastructure.
• Changes in Governance: The British also promised to respect Indian traditions and not to interfere with the religion of the Indian people. These changes were meant to soothe the resentment and anger that had fueled the rebellion.

Aftermath and Changes in British Policy

What Happened

After the 1857 revolt, the British made several important changes to how they governed India. This section explains those changes and the long-term effects they had on the country.

Policy Changes:

1. Transfer of Control to the British Crown:
   • What Changed: Before the revolt, India was controlled by the British East India Company, a trading company. After the revolt, the British government decided that the Company could no longer manage India, so the control of India was taken over directly by the British Crown.
   • Reason: This was done to ensure better management and governance, hoping to avoid any future revolts by addressing some of the issues that had caused the 1857 uprising.
2. Changes in Military Recruitment:
   • What Changed: The composition of the British army in India was changed significantly.
   • Specifics: The British reduced the number of Indian soldiers in some areas and increased the recruitment of soldiers from communities seen as more loyal to the British, such as Gurkhas, Sikhs, and Pathans. They also ensured a higher number of British officers to keep a tighter control over the army.
3. Respect for Local Customs:
   • What Changed: The British promised to respect Indian religious and social customs more than they had before.
   • Reason: Many of the grievances that fueled the revolt were related to disrespect and interference in religious and social practices. By respecting these customs, the British hoped to calm tensions and prevent future conflicts.

Long-term Impact:

• Changes in Governance and Administration:
  • Administrative Reforms: With the British Crown in charge, there was a more structured and consistent approach to the governance of India. This included investments in infrastructure like railways and telegraphs, which helped to integrate the economy and improve administration.
  • Legal and Social Reforms: The British also introduced legal reforms that aimed to modernize Indian society according to their views, such as efforts to educate more Indians and changes to the legal system that promoted a more centralized form of justice.
• Lasting Effects on India:
  • Impact on Indian Society: These changes had a deep and lasting impact on Indian society. They paved the way for the modernization of several aspects of Indian life but also continued to fuel demands for greater Indian participation in governance.
  • Rise of Nationalism: Over time, these changes, along with ongoing discontent with British rule, contributed to the rise of a strong national movement in India, which eventually led to the struggle for independence.