All questions of Rising Resentment Against Company Rule for UPSC CSE Exam

Chronological order of Civil uprisings:

1. Sanyasi revolt
2. Revolt in Bednur
3. Poligars revolt
4. Parlakimidi outbreak

Explanation:

1. Sanyasi revolt:
- The Sanyasi revolt took place in the late 18th century (1763-1800), during the British Raj in India.
- The Sanyasis were a group of ascetics who were unhappy with the British rule and the newly introduced land revenue system.
- They launched a rebellion against the British, which was mainly concentrated in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
- The revolt was eventually suppressed by the British.

2. Revolt in Bednur:
- The Bednur revolt took place in 1837-38, in the state of Karnataka.
- The revolt was led by Veera Rani Abbakka, the queen of Ullal (a small principality near Mangalore).
- She rebelled against the British East India Company, which was trying to annex her kingdom.
- The revolt continued for two years, but eventually, Abbakka was captured and imprisoned by the British.

3. Poligars revolt:
- The Poligars revolt took place in the late 18th century (1799-1805), in the southern parts of India, especially in the regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- The Poligars were local chieftains who were unhappy with the British rule and the imposition of new taxes and regulations.
- They launched a rebellion against the British, which was mainly concentrated in the districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Ramnad.
- The revolt was eventually suppressed by the British.

4. Parlakimidi outbreak:
- The Parlakimidi outbreak took place in 1942, during the Quit India Movement, which was launched by the Indian National Congress.
- The movement was a call for the British to leave India immediately.
- In the small town of Parlakimidi, in the state of Odisha, a group of Indian freedom fighters attacked a local police station and killed several British officials.
- The British responded by sending in troops, and the rebellion was eventually suppressed.

Therefore, the correct chronological order of these civil uprisings is 1-3-2-4, as the Sanyasi revolt took place before the Poligars revolt, which in turn took place before the Bednur revolt. The Parlakimidi outbreak was the most recent of these uprisings, taking place in 1942, long after the others had been suppressed.

Singphos' Rebellion - Assam Ahoms' Revolt - Assam Kukis' Revolt - Manipur

Causes for the tribal revolts under British rule:

1. Tribal lands and forests:
- The tribal revolts were sparked off by several factors, with an important one being the issue of tribal lands or forests.
- The British rule led to the encroachment and exploitation of tribal lands and forests, which were traditionally owned and used by the tribes.
- The tribes relied on these lands for their livelihoods, sustenance, and cultural practices. The loss of their lands and forests disrupted their way of life and led to resistance.

2. Disruption of social fabric:
- The British's land settlements and policies affected the joint ownership tradition among the tribals.
- The tribal communities had a collective system of land ownership and usage, where land was held in common and shared among the members.
- The British land settlements introduced individual ownership and disrupted the traditional social fabric of the tribes.
- This led to conflicts within the tribal communities and created divisions among them.

3. Loss of land due to agriculture:
- As agriculture was extended in a settled form by the Company government, the tribals lost their land.
- The British encouraged the expansion of agriculture in tribal areas, often at the expense of tribal lands.
- Tribals who relied on shifting cultivation or other traditional agricultural practices found themselves displaced and marginalized.
- This loss of land and livelihood further fueled resentment and resistance among the tribal communities.

4. Influx of non-tribals:
- The influx of non-tribals to tribal areas also contributed to the tribal revolts.
- The British administration brought in settlers, traders, and other outsiders to exploit the resources of tribal lands.
- This influx of non-tribals led to conflicts over land, resources, and cultural differences.
- The tribes felt marginalized and threatened by the presence of these outsiders, leading to resistance and revolts.

5. Curbing of shifting cultivation:
- Shifting cultivation, a traditional practice among many tribal communities, was curbed by the British administration.
- Shifting cultivation involved the rotation of cultivated fields to allow for natural replenishment of nutrients in the soil.
- The British considered this practice inefficient and sought to replace it with settled agriculture.
- The curbing of shifting cultivation further disrupted the tribal way of life and contributed to their resistance.

In conclusion, the tribal revolts under British rule were caused by a combination of factors including the encroachment on tribal lands and forests, disruption of their social fabric, loss of land due to agriculture, influx of non-tribals, and curbing of traditional practices like shifting cultivation. These factors collectively led to resentment, marginalization, and resistance among the tribal communities. Hence, option D, which includes all these causes, is the correct answer.

Matching of Uprisings with their Leaders

The correct matching of uprisings with their leaders is as follows:

1. Kondh Uprising - Chakra Bishnoi
2. Santhal Uprising - Sido and Kanhu
3. Kol Uprising - Buddho Bhagat

Explanation:

Kondh Uprising:

- The Kondh uprising took place in 1942 in the present-day state of Odisha.
- The Kondhs were a tribal community who were forced to pay high taxes and were exploited by the British.
- Chakra Bishnoi was a Kondh leader who led the uprising against the British.

Santhal Uprising:

- The Santhal Uprising took place in 1855-56 in present-day Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- The Santhals were a tribal community who were being exploited by the British and the Zamindars.
- The uprising was led by two brothers, Sido and Kanhu, who mobilized the Santhal community to fight against the oppression.

Kol Uprising:

- The Kol Uprising took place in 1831-32 in present-day Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- The Kol tribe was being exploited by the British and the Zamindars who forced them to work as bonded laborers.
- The uprising was led by Buddho Bhagat, a tribal leader who mobilized the Kol community to fight against the oppression.

Conclusion:

All the three uprisings were led by tribal leaders who fought against the oppression and exploitation by the British and the Zamindars. These uprisings played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle and inspired other communities to fight for their rights and freedom.

Weaknesses of People's Uprisings

Introduction:
People's uprisings have been a common phenomenon throughout history. However, these rebellions often fail to achieve their goals due to several weaknesses.

Local Grievances:
One of the weaknesses of people's uprisings is that they mostly arise out of local grievances. These grievances may not be shared by the wider population, leading to a lack of support for the rebellion.

Obsolete Methods and Arms:
Another weakness is that the methods and arms used in these rebellions are often obsolete. This puts the rebels at a disadvantage against the government forces who have access to modern weapons and tactics.

Centuries-Old Form and Ideology:
These rebellions were centuries old in form and ideological/cultural extent. This means that they were often based on outdated ideas and practices that were not effective in achieving their goals.

Semi-Feudal Leadership:
The leadership of these rebellions was often semi-feudal in character. This meant that they lacked the organizational skills and resources necessary to successfully challenge the government.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the weaknesses of people's uprisings include local grievances, obsolete methods and arms, centuries-old form and ideology, and semi-feudal leadership. These factors have contributed to the failure of many rebellions throughout history.

V D Savarkar in his book, the Indian war of independence, 1857 called The Revolt the first war of Indian independence. He said the lofty ideal of self-Rule inspired it by Indians through a Nationalist upsurge. Dr SN Sen wrote Eighteen Fifty-Seven.

The correct answer is option 'B' - 3-4-2-1.

Explanation:
1. Vellore Mutiny:
The Vellore Mutiny took place on 10th July 1806 in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. It was one of the earliest and significant mutinies in India's struggle for independence against British colonial rule. The mutiny was led by sepoys of the 1st Battalion of the Madras Native Infantry. The sepoys were unhappy with several British policies, including the introduction of a new type of headdress and the lack of religious freedom. They attacked the British officers and took control of the Vellore Fort. However, the mutiny was eventually suppressed by the British forces.

2. Mutiny of 47th Native Infantry Unit:
The Mutiny of the 47th Native Infantry Unit occurred in Barrackpore, West Bengal, in 1824. The sepoys of the 47th Native Infantry were dissatisfied with their pay and working conditions. They protested against the use of the new Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with animal fat, offensive to both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. The mutiny was suppressed by British forces, and several sepoys were court-martialed and executed.

3. Mutiny in Solapur:
The Mutiny in Solapur took place in 1857 during the larger Indian Rebellion of 1857. The sepoys of the 14th and 15th Bengal Native Infantry stationed in Solapur rebelled against the British. They were inspired by the news of the uprising in other parts of the country and joined the rebellion. The mutiny was eventually suppressed by British forces, and many sepoys were captured or killed.

4. Mutiny of 34th Native Infantry:
The Mutiny of the 34th Native Infantry occurred in 1857 in Barrackpore, West Bengal. The sepoys of the 34th Native Infantry were influenced by the ongoing rebellion in other parts of India and decided to join the mutiny. They killed their British officers and took control of the barracks. However, the mutiny was suppressed by British forces, and the sepoys were severely punished.

Therefore, the correct chronological order of the Sepoy Mutinies is 3-4-2-1: Vellore Mutiny, Mutiny of 47th Native Infantry Unit, Mutiny in Solapur, and Mutiny of 34th Native Infantry.