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Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Social Science History Important Questions Chapter 6 The First War of Indian Independence (1857)
Question 1.
What policies were adopted by the British to expand their rule in India?
Answer:
The British adopted the policies of Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse to expand their rule in India.
Question 2.
When did the first war of Indian independence take place?
Answer:
The first war of Indian independence took place in 1857.
Question 3.
What did the English historians call the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
The English historians called the revolt of 1857 as the Sepoy Mutiny.
Question 4.
What did the Indian historians call the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
The Indian historians called the revolt of 1857 as the ‘First Indian Freedom Struggle’.
Question 5.
Why did the revolt of 1857 take place?
Answer:
The British took over many Indian kingdoms through policies like Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse. This made many Indians unhappy. People were also upset with the administration of the British. This unhappiness erupted in the form of a major protest against the British in 1857.
Question 6.
What were the political causes for the revolt of 1857?
(OR)
How did the political factors lead to the first war of Indian independence?
Answer:
- Many Indian kings lost their kingdoms due to the Doctrine of Lapse.
- Satara, Jaitpur, Jhansi, Udaipur and other kingdoms became part of the British empire.
- The princely titles of the Nawabs of Tanjavur and Carnatic kingdoms were cancelled by Dalhousie.
- The Mughal sultans and other kings were stripped of their kingly status.
- As a result, many soldiers who were dependent on these kings became unemployed.
Question 7.
What were the results of Doctrine of Lapse? Discuss.
Answer:
The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy adopted by Dalhousie to expand the British rule in India. Due to the policy, many Indian kings lost their kingdoms. As a result of this policy Satara, Jaitpur, Jhansi, Udaipur and many other states became part of the British empire.
Question 8.
What were the economic causes for the revolt of 1857?
(OR)
How did Die economic policies result in the mutiny of 1857? Explain.
Answer:
Due to the Industrial Revolution in England, Indian handicrafts and cottage industries suffered badly. England became a hub of industries. The weavers became the first victims as textile and woollen industries in India suffered a lot. The Indian handicraft industries too
became financially pathetic. Indian craftsmen became unemployed. The British imposed high customs on Indian goods entering the market of England. Due to the zamindari system, the zamindars exploited the farmers. Land tax collection rights awarded to Talukdars was withdrawn. The Inam Commission took back all the inam or gifted lands. Due to this, farmers had to undergo lot of economic hardships.
Question 9.
How were the administrative changes brought about by the British responsible for the revolt of 1857?
(OR)
What were the administrative reasons far the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
The British brought many new civil and criminal laws into effect. But there was partiality in their implementation. English became the language of the courts. The English judges gave judgements in favour of the English. The new laws were not understood by the common people.
Question 10.
What were the military causes far the revolt of 1857?
(OR)
How can you say that the condition of Indian soldiers in the British army was pathetic?
Answer:
The condition of the Indian soldiers in the British army was pathetic. The status, salary and opportunities for promotion that British soldiers enjoyed were not given to Indians. The pressure put on Indian soldiers to work overseas created resentment among them due to their religious beliefs. There was severe dissatisfaction when they were asked to use the new enfield rifles the cartridges of which were rumoured to have been smeared with the fat of cow and pigs.
Question 11.
What were the issues that outraged the religious feelings of the soldiers?
(OR)
Why did Indian soldiers oppose the use of Royal Enfield rifles/guns?
Answer:
The religious sentiments of the Indian soldiers were hurt when the British government forced them to work overseas, which was against their religious beliefs. There was severe dissatisfaction when they were asked to use the new enfield rifles the cartridges of which were rumoured to have been smeared with the fat of cow and pigs. The cow was sacred to Hindus, while the pig was prohibited for Muslims. This became the immediate cause for the revolt.
Question 12.
What was the immediate cause far the first war of Indian independence?
Answer:
The Indian soldiers in the British army were given new rifles called ‘Royal Enfield. The cartridges of these rifles had to be pulled by the soldiers with the help of their teeth. Rumour spread that the bullets of these rifles were smeared with the fat of cow and pigs. The cow was sacred to Hindus, while the pig was prohibited for Muslims. This became the immediate cause for the mutiny.
Question 13.
Who was the first to revolt against the use of greased cartridges?
Answer:
Mangal Pandey, a soldier of Barrackpur, was the first to revolt against the use of greased cartridges.
Question 14.
Who was Mangal Pandey?
Answer:
Mangal Pandey was a soldier of Barrackpur.
Question 15.
How did Barrackpur become the centre of the outbreak of the 1857 revolt? Explain.
Answer:
A rumour spread that the bullets of the new Royal Enfield guns introduced by the British were smeared with cow and pig fat. This caused a lot of unrest among the Barrackpur military soldiers. When they were directed to load the bullets into the guns by chewing off a part of the bullets, they refused to do so. The soldiers revolted against the British officers. A soldier named Mangal Pandey shot dead a British officer. Thus Barrackpur became the centre of the outbreak of the 1857 revolt.
Question 16.
What made Mangal Pandey kill a British officer?
Answer:
A rumour spread among the Indian soldiers that the cartridges used in the newly introduced Royal Enfield rifles were greased with the fat of cow and pigs. This created resentment in the army troops at Barrackpur. When the British officers ordered the soldiers to load the bullets, the soldiers refused to do so. They revolted against the British officers. Mangal Pandey, a soldier, shot dead a British officer. He was arrested and after a trial was hanged to death.
Question 17.
How did the revolt break out at Meerut?
Answer:
Meerut was a major military base of the British. When the British ordered the Indian soldiers to use the greased cartridges, they refused. The soldiers were arrested. This resulted in a rebellion at Meerut. The soldiers barged into the prison and released the imprisoned soldiers. This provided the spark for the revolt of 1857.
Question 18.
Describe the events at Delhi in 1857 which transformed the revolt of the soldiers into the war of independence.
Answer:
A group of soldiers from Meerut, after releasing the imprisoned soldiers, marched to Delhi. They entered the Red Fort and declared the Mughal king Bahadur Shah II the emperor of India. Protesting soldiers from different parts of India reached Delhi.The protests intensified. It spread like wildfire to Kanpur and Jhansi. The revolt now transformed into a war of independence.
Question 19.
Who was the Mughal emperor at the time of the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah II was the Mughal emperor at the time of the revolt of 1857.
Question 20.
Who was declared the emperor of India by the revolting Indian soldiers?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah II, the Mughal emperor, was declared the emperor of India by the revolting soldiers.
Question 21.
Who led the revolt at Kanpur during the mutiny of 1857?
Answer:
Nana Saheb led the revolt at Kanpur during the mutiny of 1857.
Question 22.
Describe the role of Rani Lakshmi Bai in the revolt of1857.
(OR)
Rani Lakshmi Bai has a special place in the annals of Indian freedom struggle.
Answer:
Justify. Rani Lakshmi Bai provided leadership to the revolt at Jhansi. The spread of the revolt to the south of river Yamuna influenced the soldiers of Rani Lakshmi Bai. Rani Lakshmi Bai, who was angered by the Doctrine of Lapse, declared war on the British. She captured Gwalior. She died a heroic death fighting the British. Hence her name has a special place in the annals of Indian freedom struggle.
Question 23.
Which were the centres of the 1857 uprising? Who were the leaders that led the revolt?
Answer:
Apart from Delhi, the major centres of the 1857 revolt were Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi. In Delhi, it was fought under the leadership of the Mughal king Bahadur Shah II. At Kanpur, Nana Saheb led the revolt. At Lucknow, it was Queen Begum Hazrath Mahal and at Jhansi Queen Rani Lakshmi Bai who led the revolt.
Question 24.
Who led the revolt at Jhansi?
Answer:
Rani Lakshmi Bai led the revolt at Jhansi.
Question 25.
Who helped Rani Lakshmi Bai fight the British at Jhansi?
Answer:
Tantya Tope, the assistant of Nana Saheb, helped Rani Lakshmi Bai fight the British at Jhansi.
Question 26.
What were the reasons for the failure of the first war of Indian independence?
Answer:
The first war of Indian independence failed due to various reasons. They were:
- The revolt did not spread to the whole country.
- It concentrated mainly on issues of rights of kings and queens rather than liberation of the country.
- It was not a planned or organised struggle.
- The unit among the British soldiers and the disunity among the Indian soldiers resulted in the failure of the revolt.
- The mutiny lacked direction and leadership.
- The soldiers lacked discipline, organizing skills, military strategy, planning capabilities and soldiering skills.
- Many Indian rulers remained loyal to the British and did not support the revolt.
- Plundering and other crimes committed by the soldiers made the common people lose their faith in the soldiers.
Question 27.
In 1857, the revolt of the sepoys lost the faith of the common people. Why?
Answer:
Plundering and other crimes committed by the sepoys made them to lose the faith of the common people.
Question 28.
What was the immediate result of the revolt of 1857?
Answer:
The immediate result of the revolt of 1857 was that the governance of the East India Company came to an end and the governance of the British government started.
Question 29.
What were the results of the first war of Indian independence?
Answer:
- The war put an end to the governance of the East India Company.
- The administration was taken over by the British government.
- The responsibility of administering India was handed over to the Secretary of Indian Affairs of the British Parliament.
- In 1858,the Queen of England made a declaration and promised a stable government for Indians.
Question 30.
Mention the important administrative changes made by the British as a result of the revolt of 1857.
Answer:
- The governance of the East India Company came to an end.
- The British government took over the administration of India.
- The administration of India was handed over to the Secretary of Indian Affairs of the British Parliament.
Question 31.
Who was given the responsibility of administering India after the first war of Indian independence?
Answer:
The Secretary of Indian Affairs of the British Parliament was given the responsibility of administering India after the first war of Indian independence.
Question 32.
What were the main aspects of the Queen’s Declaration of 1858?
Answer:
The main aspects of the Queen’s declaration of 1858 were:
- The agreements entered into by the East India Company with the local kings were accepted.
- Non-pursuance of regional expansion.
- Providing a stable government for India.
- Equality before the law.
- Non-interference of the government in religious issues of Indians and practicing religious tolerance.
Question 33.
How did the revolt of 1857 give a new direction to the Indian freedom movement?
Answer:
The revolt of 1857 made the British realize that ruling India would be a difficult proposition without the support, trust, love and confidence of the Indian people. Even Indians realized the importance of seeking alternative channels in the future in their struggle against the British.
Question 34.
“The first war of Indian independence brought prominent changes”. Explain.
Answer:
The immediate result of the revolt of 1857 was that the rule of the East India Company came to an end. The administration was taken over by the British government. The responsibility of administering India was handed over to the Secretary of Indian Affairs of the British Parliament.
In 1858, the Queen of England made a declaration and promised a stable government for Indians. The Queen’s declaration accepted the agreements made by the East India Company with the local kings, promised equality under the law, and assured that they would not interfere in the religious issues of the people. They decided to involve Indians in the process of legislation.
Question 35.
Policy of association reduced the gap between the British and the Indians. How?
Answer:
The British realized that not listening to the voice of Indians was the main reason for the mutiny of 1857. Hence they implemented the policy of association to involve Indians in the process of legislation. This policy helped reduce the gap between the British and the Indians.
Multiple-choice Questions:
Question 1.
The British historians referred to the revolt of 1857 as
(A) Sepoy Mutiny
(B) War of Independence
(C) Great revolt
(D) First Indian freedom struggle.
Answer:
(A) Sepoy Mutiny
Question 2.
The Revolt of 1857 was called the First Indian Freedom Struggle by the
(A) British historians
(B) modern historians
(C) Indian historians
(D) British Government.
Answer:
(C) Indian historians
Question 3.
Indian handicrafts and cottage industries suffered heavily due to the
(A) political debates
(B) taxation policy
(C) reduction of import duty
(D) Industrial Revolution.
Answer:
(D) Industrial Revolution.
Question 4.
The soldier who revolted at Barrackpur and killed his officer was
(A) Tantya Tope
(B) Nana Saheb
(C) Mangal Pande
(D) Bahadur Shah.
Answer:
(C) Mangal Pande
Question 5.
The rebel soldiers who went to Delhi and declared the Mughal King Bahadur Shah II the Emperor of India were from
(A) Meerut
(B) Kanpur
(C) Barrackpur
(D) Lucknow.
Answer:
(A) Meerut
Question 6.
The revolt against the British at Kanpur was led by
(A) Nana Saheb
(B) Lakshmibai
(C) Bahadur Shah II
(D) Tantya Tope.
Answer:
(A) Nana Saheb
Question 7.
As a result of the Revolt of 1857, the rule of the came to an end in India.
(A) British
(B) East India Company
(C) British Crown
(D) British Parliament.
Answer:
(B) East India Company
Question 8.
The Doctrins of Lapse effected
(A) all the native rulers
(B) only the native rulers of North India
(C) the native rulers without legal heirs
(D) the native rulers who did not accept the Subsidiary Alliance.
Answer:
(C) the native rulers without legal heirs
Question 9.
Indian textiles lost their market in England as
(A) the quality was not good
(B) the British imposed heavy tax on imports
(C) the British ships refused to transport them
(D) the British exported machine-made goods.
Answer:
(B) the British imposed heavy tax on imports
Question 10.
The purpose of appointing Inam Commission was
(A) to recommend granting of Inam lands to the landlords
(B) to confiscate the Inam lands from the rich landlords
(C) to provide Inams to religious institutions
(D) to deprive religious institutions of Inams.
Answer:
(B) to confiscate the Inam lands from the rich landlords
Question 11.
The immediate cause for the revolt of 1857 was
(A) the Nawab of Awadh revolted against the British
(B) introduction of Enfield rifles and cartridges
(C) Mangal Pandey killed a British officer
(D) Bahadur Shah was humiliated by the British.
Answer:
(B) introduction of Enfield rifles and cartridges
Question 12.
After the 1857 revolt, one of the notable changes that took place in the administration of the British in India was
(A) the British rule came to an end
(B) East India Company exercised more control
(C) rule of East India Company came to an end
(D) Governor Generals were appointed.
Answer:
(C) rule of East India Company came to an end
Question 13.
In her declaration made in 1858, Queen Victoria promised the Indian people that
(A) they would not participate in the religious functions of the Indians.
(B) they would include more Indians in the administration.
(C) they would not spare Indians if they revolted again.
(D) they would not interfere in the religious matters of Indians.
Answer:
(D) they would not interfere in the religious matters of Indians.
Question 14.
The first war of Indian independence took place in
(A) 1867
(B) 1875
(C) 1857
(D) 1785
Answer:
(C) 1857
Question 15.
The place where the 1857 revolt started and which was a major military base of the British was
(A) Barrackpur
(B) Meerut
(C) Delhi
(D) Kanpur
Answer:
(B) Meerut
Question 16.
The Indian soldier who killed a British officer at Barrackpur was
(A) Tantya Tope
(B) Narayan Rao
(C) Nana Saheb
(D) Mangal Pandey
Answer:
(D) Mangal Pandey
Question 17.
The places that came under the control of the British as per the policy of Doctrine of Lapse were
(A) Bengal, Satara, Jaitpur, Udaipur
(B) Jhansi, Satara, Jaitpur, Udaipur
(C) Satara, Bengal, Jhansi, Delhi
(D) Jhansi, Delhi, Jaitpur, Udaipur.
Answer:
(B) Jhansi, Satara, Jaitpur, Udaipur
Fill in the blanks:
- The mutiny of 1857 was called as Sepoy Mutiny by the British historians.
- The policy implemented by Dalhousie was Doctrine of Lapse
- During the mutiny of 1857, Mangal Pandey) killed a British officer.
- Jhansi Rani captured Gwalior from the British during her war against them.