Worksheet Solutions: Rebels and the Raj | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: The mutinies began with the signal of ______ or the sounding of the bugle.
Ans: the evening gun
The firing of the evening gun or the bugle was the initial signal that marked the beginning of the mutinies during the revolt of 1857.

Q2: The sepoys attacked government buildings such as jail, treasury, and bungalows, burning all ______.
Ans: records
The rebels targeted key government establishments and burned all records as a symbolic act of erasing the colonial legacy and resisting British rule.

Q3: The rebels turned towards the Mughal ruler ______ for leadership during the revolt.
Ans: Bahadur Shah
Bahadur Shah was chosen as the nominal leader of the rebellion, providing symbolic leadership to the uprising against the British.

Q4: The British rumor about mixing bone dust of cows and pigs into flour led to the refusal of touching ______.
Ans: atta
The rumor about contaminated flour spread fear among the sepoys and common people, leading to their refusal to touch or consume the atta, as they believed it was tainted with animal remains.

Q5: The rebellion was seen as a war in which both ______ and Muslims had equally to lose or gain.
Ans: Hindus
The revolt was characterized by unity between Hindus and Muslims, who perceived the struggle against the British as a shared cause, where both communities stood to lose or gain based on the outcome of the rebellion.

Q6: The policy of social superiority of British led to unrest among the ______ serving in the Army.
Ans: Indians
The discriminatory policies of the British, including racial abuse and differences in service, created dissatisfaction and unrest among the Indian sepoys serving in the Army.

Q7: The British policy of ______ dispossessed landholders and artisans, leading to economic ruin.
Ans: land revenue settlements
The British introduced their own methods of land revenue collection, causing economic distress among landholders and artisans, ultimately resulting in their economic downfall.

Q8: ______ was forced to assume the leadership of the uprising in Jhansi.
Ans: Rani Lakshmi Bai
Rani Lakshmi Bai, the Queen of Jhansi, had to take on the role of a leader during the revolt due to the circumstances, leading the uprising in Jhansi against the British.

Q9: The British government imposed martial law and gave power to punish Indians suspected of ______.
Ans: rebellion
Martial law was enforced, allowing military officers and ordinary Britons the authority to punish anyone suspected of participating in the rebellion, intensifying the suppression of the uprising.

Q10: The revolt of 1857 is celebrated as the first war of ______ in India.
Ans: independence
The revolt of 1857 is commemorated as the first major uprising against British rule in India, symbolizing the country's early struggle for independence from colonial oppression.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The sepoys and common people refused to touch the atta sold in the market.
Reason: They feared it contained bone dust of cows and pigs.
(a) True, R is the correct explanation of A
(b) True, R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) False, R is the correct explanation of A
(d) False, R is not the correct explanation of A
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true. The sepoys and common people refused to touch the atta (flour) sold in the market due to the rumor that it contained bone dust of cows and pigs. The reason is correct. The fear of consuming atta contaminated with animal remains led to the refusal to touch it. This fear was a significant factor during the revolt of 1857.

Q2: Assertion: The removal of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah led to the decline of culture and dissolution of courts in Awadh.
Reason: Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was an unpopular ruler among his people.
(a) True, R is the correct explanation of A
(b) True, R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) False, R is the correct explanation of A
(d) False, R is not the correct explanation of A
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true. The removal of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah did lead to the decline of culture and dissolution of courts in Awadh. The reason is incorrect. Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was not an unpopular ruler among his people. In fact, he was widely loved, and his removal was mourned by the people.

Q3: Assertion: The rebellion of 1857 resulted in the formation of a parallel administration in Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur.
Reason: The rebels successfully established an alternative power structure during the revolt.
(a) True, R is the correct explanation of A
(b) True, R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) False, R is the correct explanation of A
(d) False, R is not the correct explanation of A
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true. The rebellion of 1857 did result in the formation of a parallel administration in Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur. The reason is correct. The rebels successfully established an alternative power structure during the revolt, governing these areas independently for a certain period.

Q4: Assertion: The revolt of 1857 was celebrated as the first war of independence in India.
Reason: Art and literature played a significant role in keeping alive the memories of 1857.
(a) True, R is the correct explanation of A
(b) True, R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) False, R is the correct explanation of A
(d) False, R is not the correct explanation of A
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true. The revolt of 1857 is celebrated as the first war of independence in India. The reason is correct. Art and literature played a significant role in keeping the memories of 1857 alive. They contributed to the nationalist imagination and helped in preserving the spirit of resistance against colonial rule.

Q5: Assertion: The policy of repression in 1857 involved hanging and blowing rebels from guns.
Reason: The British government aimed to show mercy and leniency towards the rebels.
(a) True, R is the correct explanation of A
(b) True, R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) False, R is the correct explanation of A
(d) False, R is not the correct explanation of A
Ans: (c)
The assertion is false. While the policy of repression in 1857 did involve hanging and blowing rebels from guns, it was not aimed at showing mercy and leniency towards the rebels. Instead, it was a harsh measure employed by the British to suppress the revolt and instill fear among the people.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Who were the sepoys' emissaries during the revolt?
Ans: The sepoys' emissaries were individuals who moved from one station to another, coordinating communication among different regiments.

Q2: Which leader assumed the leadership of the uprising in Jhansi?
Ans: Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Q3: What was the rumor about British bullets during the revolt?
Ans: The rumor was that British bullets were coated with the fats of cows and pigs, corrupting the sepoys' caste and religion.

Q4: What policy did the British adopt to abolish customs like Sati and permit widow remarriage?
Ans: The British established laws to abolish customs like Sati and permit the remarriage of Hindu widows.

Q5: Why did the British government remove Nawab Wazid Ali Shah from Awadh?
Ans: The British government claimed Awadh was being misgoverned as a pretext to remove Nawab Wazid Ali Shah.

Q6: What did the rebels fear about the British government's intentions regarding religion?
Ans: The rebels feared the British wanted to destroy the caste and religions of Hindus and Muslims and convert them to Christianity.

Q7: Which British officer painted "Relief of Lucknow" in 1859?
Ans: Thomas Jones Barker.

Q8: What was the main reason behind the economic ruin of artisans and weavers under British rule?
Ans: Foreign commerce had driven artisans and weavers to ruin.

Q9: What did the rebels try to establish during the revolt in terms of administrative structure?
Ans: The rebels tried to establish a pre-British administrative structure, planning how to fight with the British and carrying out day-to-day activities.

Q10: Which major towns were centers of the revolt according to the text?
Ans: According to the text, major towns like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Bareilly were centers of the revolt.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the significance of the evening gun and bugle in the context of the mutinies.
Ans: The firing of the evening gun or the sounding of the bugle served as a signal for the sepoys to begin their action during the mutinies. It marked the start of their rebellion, leading to the seizure of arms, plundering of the treasury, and attacks on government buildings.

Q2: Describe the role of local leaders in the rebellion of 1857, citing examples.
Ans: Local leaders played a crucial role in the rebellion by urging peasants, zamindars, and tribals to revolt. Examples include Kunwar Singh in Bihar, Shah Mal in Uttar Pradesh, and Gonooa in Chotanagpur. These leaders mobilized communities and provided direction to the uprising.

Q3: Explain the impact of British policies on Indian society, leading to the revolt of 1857.
Ans: British policies aimed at reforming Indian society by introducing Western education, institutions, and laws. They interfered in religious matters, abolished customs, and imposed their own system of administration and land settlements. These actions created resentment and fueled the revolt.

Q4: Discuss the reasons behind the removal of Nawab Wazid Ali Shah and its consequences in Awadh.
Ans: Nawab Wazid Ali Shah was removed by the British, leading to the decline of culture and dissolution of courts in Awadh. The removal embittered the people as he was widely loved. Musicians, dancers, poets, and administrative officials lost their livelihood, disrupting the social order.

Q5: Explain the strategies employed by the British government to suppress the rebellion in Awadh.
Ans: The British used military power on a large scale, offering dispossessed land back to loyal landlords while punishing rebel landlords. They aimed to break the unity between landlords and peasants. The dispossession of taluqdars and imposition of Summary Settlement disrupted the social and economic fabric.

Q6: Describe the British portrayal of the rebels and their methods of suppression during the revolt.
Ans: British accounts portrayed the rebels as violent mutineers, emphasizing their brutality. The rebels were executed through methods like blowing from guns or hanging, and these images were widely circulated to create fear. British artists depicted the suppression as a heroic act.

Q7: Explain the significance of the revolt of 1857 as the first war of independence.
Ans: The revolt of 1857 is celebrated as the first war of independence because it marked a united effort by Hindus and Muslims against imperial rule. It inspired the nationalist movement, and leaders like Rani Lakshmi Bai and Nana Saheb became heroic figures. Art and literature kept the memories alive.

Q8: Discuss the impact of the revolt on Indian society, considering the aftermath and the nationalist imageries that emerged.
Ans: The revolt led to significant changes in Indian society, fueling nationalist imagination. British repression caused immense suffering, but it also united diverse communities against colonial rule. Nationalist leaders emerged, and the event became a symbol of resistance. Art, literature, and narratives kept the spirit of independence alive.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the pattern of rebellion during the revolt of 1857, highlighting the targets, methods, and the role of communication among rebels.
Ans: The revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, had a distinct pattern characterized by diverse targets, methods, and communication among the rebels.

Targets:

• Government Establishments: The rebels targeted key symbols of British authority, including government buildings such as jails, treasuries, telegraph offices, and record rooms. These establishments were seen as instruments of British oppression.
• British Officials: Officials of the British administration, including British officers, were often the prime targets. The rebels sought to eliminate those associated with the British Raj.
• Moneylenders and Wealthy Individuals: In major towns like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Bareilly, moneylenders and rich individuals became objects of the rebels' anger. The rebellion represented a class struggle, with the poorer segments of society rising against the perceived economic exploitation by the wealthy.

Methods:

• Signal and Seizure: The mutinies began with the firing of the evening gun or the sounding of the bugle, acting as a signal for the rebellion. Rebels then seized arms and ammunition, which were crucial for their fight against the British.
• Burning Records: Rebels sought to erase the bureaucratic footprint of British rule. They attacked government buildings, burning all records. This act was symbolic of their desire to erase the colonial legacy.
• Communication and Unity: Emissaries moved from one station to another, serving as a means of communication among sepoys of different regiments. Panchayats, composed of native officers from each regiment, made collective decisions. The rebels shared a common lifestyle and often came from the same caste, which facilitated their unity and coordination.

Role of Communication: Communication played a crucial role in the rebellion. It allowed rebels to coordinate their actions and share information. The role of communication included:

• Emissaries: Emissaries were messengers who moved discreetly among different regiments, facilitating the exchange of information and coordination of actions.
• Panchayats: Native officers from each regiment formed panchayats, making collective decisions about the rebellion's strategies and targets.
• Unity: The rebels' shared experiences, caste affiliations, and collective decisions made their revolt more effective. The effective communication among sepoys and leaders allowed for a united front against the British.

In summary, the pattern of rebellion during the revolt of 1857 was marked by diverse targets, including government buildings, officials, and the wealthy. Rebels employed methods like seizing arms, burning records, and attacks on key establishments. Communication among rebels played a significant role in their coordination and unity, contributing to the effectiveness of their resistance against British rule.

Q2: Discuss the causes and consequences of the annexation of Awadh, emphasizing the impact on its people and the role of British policies.
Ans: The annexation of Awadh in 1856 had several causes:

• Resource Exploitation: The British considered Awadh a resource-rich region, and the policy of territorial aggrandizement drove them to annex the kingdom. It was perceived as a source of wealth and revenue for the British Empire.
• Subsidiary Alliance: Awadh had been placed under the Subsidiary Alliance, which made the nawab dependent on the British. The nawab had to disband his military force, and British troops were stationed within the kingdom. This left the nawab unable to assert control over the rebellious chiefs and taluqdars.
• Misgovernance Pretext: The British government wrongly assumed that Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh was an unpopular ruler, providing a pretext for his removal.

Consequences of Annexation: The annexation of Awadh had far-reaching consequences:

• Cultural Decline: The removal of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah led to a decline in culture. Musicians, dancers, poets, and other cultural figures lost their livelihood as they were dependent on the nawab's patronage.
• Dissolution of Courts: The removal of the nawab resulted in the dissolution of courts, impacting the legal and administrative structure of Awadh.
• Economic Ruin: British policies, such as the imposition of Summary Settlement and the dispossession of taluqdars, led to economic ruin. The taluqdars lost their revenue from land, and British revenue assessment troubled peasants.
• Social Disruption: The dispossession of taluqdars disrupted the traditional social order, causing resentment among the local population.

Role of British Policies: British policies played a significant role in the annexation and its consequences. These policies included:

• Interference in Religious Matters: The British interfered in religious customs, leading to the greased cartridge issue that fueled religious tensions.
• Land Revenue Settlements: British policies introduced their own methods of land revenue collection, causing economic distress and revenue overassessment for peasants.
• Disarming of Taluqdars: The British disarmed the taluqdars and destroyed their forts, dispossessing them of their authority and contributing to social upheaval.

In conclusion, the annexation of Awadh was driven by British economic interests and territorial ambitions. The consequences of annexation included cultural decline, dissolution of courts, economic ruin, and social disruption. British policies, particularly interference in religious matters and revenue settlements, were instrumental in shaping the fate of Awadh and its people.

Q3: Examine the role of rumors and prophecies in inciting the rebellion of 1857, detailing their origins, impact, and the reasons behind people's belief in them.
Ans: Rumors and prophecies played a significant role in inciting the rebellion of 1857, with their origins rooted in various sources. These unfounded claims had a substantial impact on the uprising, and several factors contributed to people's belief in them:

Origins of Rumors and Prophecies:

• British Policies: British policies aimed at reforming Indian society by introducing Western education, institutions, and laws. These changes created anxiety and fear among the Indian population, contributing to the spread of rumors.
• Greased Cartridges Issue: The widely circulated rumor about the greased cartridges, which were said to be coated with animal fat (cows and pigs), was a significant trigger. This rumor originated from the use of such cartridges in the Enfield rifle, which was provided to the sepoys. The belief that biting these cartridges would corrupt their caste and religion led to widespread unrest.
• Conversion to Christianity: There was a fear and suspicion that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity. This fear was fueled by the presence of Christian missionaries in India and the British government's attempts to promote Christianity.
• Religious Sensitivities: The British introduced policies that interfered with deeply held religious customs and practices, such as the abolition of Sati and the permitting of widow remarriage. These actions created resentment and fear among religious communities.

Impact of Rumors and Prophecies:

• Fear and Suspicion: Rumors and prophecies created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion among the Indian population. People became increasingly wary of British intentions and actions.
• Refusal to Consume Certain Products: For example, the rumor about the atta (flour) being mixed with bone dust of cows and pigs led to a refusal to touch or consume such products. This mass refusal symbolized the resistance against British influence.
• Mobilization of Masses: Rumors and prophecies mobilized the masses, creating a sense of urgency and solidarity among different communities. They served as catalysts, pushing people to join the rebellion against the British.

Reasons Behind Belief in Rumors:

• Existing Grievances: The Indian population already had grievances against the British due to economic exploitation, social changes, and cultural interference. These grievances made them susceptible to believing in rumors that reinforced their negative perceptions of the British.
• Lack of Education: A significant portion of the Indian population was illiterate and lacked access to proper education. This lack of education made it easier for rumors to spread and for people to believe in unfounded claims.
• Tradition and Trust in Oral Communication: Indian society had a strong tradition of oral communication. Rumors and stories were passed down orally, and people often trusted the word of mouth within their communities.

In summary, rumors and prophecies during the rebellion of 1857 originated from various sources, including British policies and religious sensitivities. These rumors created fear and suspicion, leading to mass mobilization and refusal to consume certain products. The existing grievances and lack of education among the Indian population contributed to their belief in these rumors, strengthening their resolve to resist British rule.

Q4: Describe the portrayal of the revolt of 1857 in official accounts, visual representations, and its impact on nationalist imageries, emphasizing the role of art and literature.
Ans: Official accounts of the revolt of 1857 were often biased and portrayed the rebels as violent mutineers. British colonial administrators and military officials left their versions in letters, diaries, and official histories. These accounts highlighted the brutality of the rebels, emphasizing their violent acts and attempts to challenge British authority.

Visual Representations:

• Visual representations of the revolt were created through paintings, pencil drawings, cartoons, and bazaar prints. British and Indian artists produced images that depicted the events of 1857. These visual representations often portrayed the rebellion in gory detail, highlighting the violence of the mutineers and the heroic acts of the British forces.

Impact on Nationalist Imageries: The revolt of 1857 had a profound impact on nationalist imaginations and played a crucial role in shaping the freedom struggle of India. Several aspects of this impact include:

• Inspiration to Nationalists: The revolt of 1857 was celebrated as the first war of independence. Nationalist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal referred to the rebels as heroes who fought for the country's independence. The bravery of leaders like Rani Lakshmi Bai and Kunwar Singh became symbols of resistance and inspired future generations of freedom fighters.
• Creation of Nationalist Imageries: Art and literature played a significant role in creating nationalist imageries around the events of 1857. Poets like Subramania Bharati and Allama Iqbal composed verses that celebrated the courage of the rebels. Artists depicted the heroic acts of Indian leaders and the atrocities committed by the British, creating a sense of national pride and unity.
• Preservation of Collective Memory: Literature, including novels, poems, and historical accounts, helped preserve the collective memory of the revolt. Novels like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's "Anandamath" and poems like "Khoob Ladi Mardani" by Jhansi Ki Rani became iconic representations of the revolt. These literary works kept the spirit of resistance alive in the minds of the people.
• Nationalist Movements: The events of 1857 provided a historical precedent for the later nationalist movements in India. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru referred to the revolt of 1857 in their speeches and writings, emphasizing the importance of unity and resistance against colonial rule.

In summary, the portrayal of the revolt of 1857 in official accounts and visual representations often depicted the rebels as violent, but this event inspired nationalist imaginations. It became a symbol of resistance and inspired a sense of pride and unity among Indians. The impact of the revolt on nationalist imageries was profound, shaping the course of India's freedom struggle and preserving the collective memory of the uprising against British colonialism.