ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL - BRANCH 1, AL WATHBA
Grade VIIISOCIAL SCIENCE
CHAPTER – The Revolt of 1857
Objective: 1. To understand the nature and importance of the Revolt
2. To identify the leaders and their role in the revolt.
Competence: problem solving
Value: integrity
1. List any six important centres of the Revolt of 1857.
A. The main centres of the Revolt were Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi and Bareli.
2. Name the important leaders of the Revolt of 1857. Point out the differenceof Rani Laxmi Bai with British.
A. The important leaders of the Revolt were Bakht Khan, Nana Saheb , Tantia Tope, Azim ullah, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Maulvi Ahmad ullah, Rani Laxmi Bai, Khan Bahadur Khan and Kunwar singh.
The leader ship of the Revolt in 1857 in central India was in the hands of Rani Laxmi bai of Jhansi. After the death of her husband, the governal general Lord Dalhousie refused to hand over the kingdom of Jhansi to her adopted son and annexed it to the company.
3. Enumerate the economic, political and social causes of the Revolt of 1857.
A. The biggest challenge to British authority came in the form of a popular Revolt in 1857. The Revolt was a result of various grievances of the people against the British rule.
Economic causes: The most important cause of popular discontent was the British policy of economic exploitation of India. This affected all sections of society. The Peasants suffered due to high revenue demands and the strict revenue collection policy. Artisans and crafts men were ruined by thelarge – scale inflow of cheap British manufactured goods into India.
Political causes: The British policy of annexation led to the displacement of a large number of rulers. The strict enforcement of the policies of Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse made the ruling sections of society angry. Rani Laxmi Bai and Nana Sahib became enemies of the British and led the Revolt in their respective territories. The annexation was widely seen as an act of betrayal by the British. It deeply hurt the sentiments of the company's sepoys.
Social causes: The social discrimination faced by the Indians due to the British attitude of racial superiority also led to much resentment. Educated Indians were denied promotions and the opportunities for appointment to high positions.This turned them against the British.
4. The Revolt of 1857 was only a sepoy mutiny- Do you agree with this view?
A. i)The Revolt of 1857 began as a sepoy mutiny but it soon became a popular revolt.
ii) It was the first war of independence fought to liberate India and British rule.
iii) The participation of peasants and artisans made the Revolt a wide spread and popular event.
iv) It was characterized by Hindu-Muslim unity.
v) People belonging to different religions, communities, regions and economic back grounds fought together.
All this shows that it was clearly a popular revolt, the first nationalist struggle in India for independence from foreign rule.
HOT QUESTION:
5. Although the revolt was a big event in the history of India, it had very little chance of success. Mention the reasons for the failure of the Revolt of 1857.
A. Although the Revolt was a big event in the history of India, it had very little chance of success against an organized and powerful enemy. The revolt failed to end British rule in India. The major reasons for its failure were:
i. The revolt did not spread to all parts of the country. Nor was it supported by all groups and sections of Indian society.
ii. It was localized and unorganized in nature.
iii) The weak leadership and lack of weapons and finances.