NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 5 - When People Rebel

Let's Recall

Q1. What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Ans: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi insisted that the company should accept her adopted son as the successor to the kingdom after the death of her husband. The British, on the other hand, refused to recognize her adopted son as the ruler of Jhansi. According to Lord Dalhousie's "Doctrine of Lapse," if an Indian emperor died without a male successor, his kingdom would "lapse" and be acquired by the British Empire. 

Rani Lakshmi Bai

Q2. What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?
Ans: A new law was passed in 1850 to make it easier for people to convert to Christianity. This law gave an Indian who converted to Christianity the right to inherit his ancestors' property. Therefore, various efforts were put in by the British to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity.  

Q3. What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?
Ans: There was a suspicion that the new rifle cartridges were greased with cow and pig fat, which deeply offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. To load the rifles, soldiers had to bite open the cartridges, which went against Hindu beliefs that regard cows as sacred and Muslim beliefs that view pigs as unclean. This led the sepoys to refuse to use the cartridges, as they saw it as an intentional attempt by the British to disrespect their religions.

Q4. How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?
Ans: After Aurangzeb's death, the Mughal emperors lost real power and became mostly symbolic rulers, though they remained culturally significant. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, became a key figure in the 1857 uprising when rebels declared him their leader. However, after the British crushed the rebellion, Zafar was tried, blinded, and sentenced to life in prison. His sons were killed, and in October 1858, he and his wife were exiled to Rangoon, where he died in prison in November 1862.

Let's Discuss

Q5. What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857? 
Ans:  From the mid-1700s, Nawabs and Rajas lost power as British officials stationed in their courts restricted their authority. Between 1757 and 1857, the British East India Company used political, economic, and diplomatic tactics to control Indian states, rarely needing military force.

While small revolts occurred before 1857, they were local and quickly suppressed. The Company weakened Indian rulers by dissolving their armies, seizing their lands, and reducing their influence. They also worked to end the Mughal dynasty, removing the emperor's name from currency and declaring Bahadur Shah Zafar the last Mughal ruler. With no strong central authority to challenge them, the British grew overconfident and were unprepared for the widespread 1857 uprising and its intensity.

Revolt of 1857

Q6. What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support to the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families? 
Ans: The rebels aimed to overthrow the East India Company but faced the challenge of deciding who would lead afterward. Bahadur Shah Zafar accepted the role of leader, calling on Indian rulers to unite as a confederacy against the British. His support sparked unity among kingdoms, Nawabs, Rajas, zamindars, and both Hindu and Muslim leaders. At key sites like Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow, soldiers mutinied and joined the rebellion, inspired by Zafar’s symbolic leadership.

When rebel soldiers reached the Red Fort, Bahadur Shah hesitated, aware of British power, but eventually agreed to lead. His role gave the rebellion credibility, inspiring greater courage and unity among rebels. People across cities and villages rallied around local leaders, making the uprising a widespread, national movement.

Bahadur Shah Zafar

Q7. How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh
Ans: The British defeat in several battles during the uprising inspired more revolts across Indian states, especially in Awadh, where villagers, led by local landlords, rose in arms.

To crush the rebellion, the British used a two-part strategy. First, they punished rebel leaders through trials and executions to prevent future defiance. At the same time, they tried to regain trust by promising rewards to loyal landowners, ensuring them protection of their traditional land rights. Rebels who surrendered and refrained from harming British citizens were assured safety and respect for their land claims and rights.

Q8. In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?
Ans: After the 1857 rebellion, British policies in India changed significantly:

1. British Crown Control: The British Crown took over administration from the East India Company in 1858.
2. Doctrine of Lapse Abolished: The Doctrine of Lapse was ended, allowing rulers to adopt heirs and keep their thrones.
3. Military Reforms: The British reduced the number of Indian soldiers in the army and reserved top positions for Europeans.
4. Land Rights Secured: Landlords and zamindars received protection of their land rights.
5. Religious Assurance: The British promised not to interfere in Indian religious and social practices, assuring respect for local customs.