Lesson 8 – Revolt of 1857

Teachers Questions

I . Answer the following in 10-20 words

1. Why was the revolt of 1857 called the first war of independence?

The revolt of 1857 was culmination of the rising wave of antagonism against
British rule. It6 shook the very foundations of British rule. Some historians as the
First war of independence the revolt of 1857 was the result of certain deep-
rooted causes.

2. What happened to Tantia Tope in Gwalior?

Rani Lakshmi bai fled from Jhansi and joined hands with Tantia Tope who had
assumed the leadership of the rebel army at Gwalior. But the British captured
Gwalior in June 1858. The rani was killed in battle by Sir Hugh Rose on 18 June
1858. Tantia Tope managed to get away but was captured later and executed.

II . Answer the following in 50-60 words

1. Mention the events that happened in Meerut during the revolt of 1857?

 In April 1857, 85 soldiers of a cavalry regiment at Meerut refused to use the

greased cartridges. They were punished 10 years
 On 10th May , the 3rd cavalry regiment at Meerut. Soldiers killed some English
officers are captured Delhi . On May 12th Bahadur shah II was proclaimed the
emperor of India

2. Outline the immediate causes of the revolt of 1857.

Immediate Causes:

 Enfield rifle
 Biting off of greased cartridge
 Rumour – cartridge was made of cows and pigs.
 Hurt religious sentiments.
III . Answer the following in 80-100 words

1. How was the revolt of 1857 suppressed?

 Lord canning – Governor General

 Sons of Bahadur shah were killed and he was deported to Rangoon as a
prisoner and dies.
 Rani Lakshmi Bai fled from Jhansi and joined Tantia Tope at Gwalior.
 Rani was killed by sir Hugh Rose in battle.
 Tantia Tope escaped but was captured later and executed.
 Nana saheb and Begum Hazrat fled to Nepal and died afterwards
 Local uprisings till 1858 July after which all protests were over.

2. How did the socio-religious scenario and military contribute to the revolt of
1857?

Social and Religious:

 Christian missionaries – Charter Act of 1813.
 Interference to traditions – sati, infanticide, widow, remarriage.
 Taxes on Temple/mosque lands.

Military:
 Soldiers of the Bengal army – Annexation of Awadh
 Oath – to fight for British
 No Bhatta/remuneration for fighting in distant lands.
 Low salaries.

Text book back question answers

E. Answer the following in 10-20 words

1. What profession did the artisans and craft men turn to when they could no
longer make profit from their product?

Artisans and craft men were forced to work according to the desire of the
servant of the company and in return, received very little remuneration.

2. Why did the soldiers not want to use the greased cartridges?

At that time it was believed that the grease used in the cartridges was made
from the fat of cows and pigs. Both Hindu and Muslim soldiers refused to not
use the greased cartridges as it hurt their religious sentiments.

3. Who led the revolt against the British in Awadh?

Begum Hazrat Mahal led the revolt against the British in Awadh.
 4. Name a few leaders who led the various rebellions and revolts around the
country?
Kunwar Singh, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nana Saheb, Bhakt Khan, Khan Bahadur
Khan were few leaders who led the various revolts around the country.

F. Answer the following in 50-70 words

1. Why were the social reforms introduced by the British resented by the Indians?

Certain laws passed by the companies government including useful social

legislation like the abolition of sati, female infanticide and encouragement of widow
remarriage were considered as unnecessary interferences by the British in the social
customs of Indian society.

2. How far was the doctrine of lapse responsible for the revolt of 1857?

Doctrine of lapse is one of the major cause of revolt. According to this doctrine if
any ruler die without any male heir their regions will be annexed and come under
British control. Several princely states like satara, Jhansi, Udaipur were annexed. But
by annexation of Awadh, it created an atmosphere of rebellion. It adversely affected
the sepoy’s pursue. Dalhousie wanted to free people from nawab’s mismanagement
and talukdars operation but got no relief but further added anger among people. It
also created panic among rulers of native states.

3. Name the areas where support for the revolt was strong and places where the
revolt failed to penetrate.

The revolt covered the entire territory from Delhi to Bihar in the East. Revolts
occurred in Lucknow, Kanpur and Jhansi. In Kanpur, Nana saheb became the
leader of the rebels while in Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai challenged the British. In
Bihar, Kunwar Singh undertook the leadership of the rebels, while in Lucknow the
rebels organised under the leadership of Begum Hazrat Mahal.
The soldiers revolted at some places in Rajasthan, Gwalior and Indore but they
were easily suppressed. The revolt spread to one or two places in South India but
the attempts of revolt in places like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Sind were
thwarted.

4. What were the causes of discontent amongst the soldiers?

Political causes:
 Resentment towards Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse as it curbed the rights of
adoption.
 Annexation of Awadh – unhappy Hindus and Muslims
 Disrespect shown towards Emperor Bahadur Shah
 Reservations of Administrative and military positions for Englishman.
Economic – Causes:
 Destruction of cottage industries.
 Commercialisation of agriculture.
  Little remuneration
 Unemployment due to machine made goods
 Pressure on agriculture.
Social and Religious:

 Christian missionaries – Charter Act of 1813.

 Interference to traditions – sati, infanticide, widow remarriage.
 Taxes on Temple/mosque lands.

Military:

 Soldiers of the Bengal army – Annexation of Awadh

 Oath – to fight for British
 No Bhatta/remuneration for fighting in distant lands.
 Low salaries.

Immediate Causes:

 Enfield rifle
 Biting off of greased cartridge
 Rumour – cartridge was made of cows and pigs.
 Hurt religious sentiments.

5. Do you believe that weak leadership was one of the reason of the failure of
the revolt?
The leadership of the revolt was weak and it was not organised under
one person or one command. The leaders of the revolt like emperor Bahadur
Shah, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nana Saheb and Tatia tope, Rani Lakshmi bai and
others neither planned nor coordinated with one another as one unit.

G. Answer the following in 80-100 words

1. Why did the revolt of 1857 fail to achieve its aim?

Failure of the Revolt:

 Limited Scope: Delhi, Meerut, Bihar, Rohilkhand
 Lack of planning – Absence of a central organisation
 Lack of military skills – Lack of skilled military strategies. Fought using
swords and spears.
 Attitude of Rulers – Refused to support rebels instead extended support
to the British.
 Limited support – educated Indians and the upper middle class supported
British.
 Weak leadership – No co-ordination as one unit.

2. What changes took place after the revolt of 1857?

  East India company’s rule and the board of control was abolished.
 A secretary of state of India and the Indian Council were created.
 Army was reorganised with an increase in British soldiers.
 Policy of territorial annexation was ended
 Unconditional and general pardon was given to rebels expect for those
responsible for the murder of British subjects
 The British parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858.

Lesson 9 and 10 Socio - Religious reforms and Challenging the caste system

Teacher questions and answers :-

I . Answer the following in 10-20 words:-

1. Name a few social practices prevailing in the 19th century India.

The Caste System was prevailing in the 19th century

Condition of women in 19th century :

 Sati
 Infanticide
 Purdah
 Devadasi system
 Polygamy
 Child marriage
 Illiteracy

2. When was the Widow Remarriage Act passed ?

The Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856.

3. Who were the reformers who contributed to the Widow Remarriage Act ?

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a reformer who contributed to the Widow Remarriage Act.

4. What were the factors that led to the people’s uprising against the caste system.

Factors that led to the people’s uprising against the caste system :-

(i) Education
(ii) To safeguard themselves – formed associations

II . Answer the following in 60 - 70 words:-

 1. Discuss the importance of women reformers.

 Many women reformers became good leaders as well as women started realising the
necessity to organise themselves .

 They started many organisation and institution of their own .

 The efforts of the women reformer’s made them realise the importance of a
progressive society .

2. What was the role of British to implement these socio-religious reforms and their
stand against the caste system ?

The British imperialists used the grievances of the lower castes for developing among
them sectional and caste consciousness with a view to keep the Indian society
fragmented.

III . Answer the following in 80 - 100 words:-

1. Outline the reforms that took place in Maharashtra.

Mahadev Govind Ranade

- Supported Prathana Samaj .

- Founded National Social Conference to focus attention on social reforms .
- Behramji Malabari
- Jounalist in “The Times”.
- Evils of child marriage and forced widowhood .
- Dr. Karve .
- Institutions in Poona to educate young widows to become teachers in girl’s school .
- Vishnu Shastri
- Formed the Widow Remarriage Association in 1850 .

2. Describe the various reforms that were brought in South India.

South India :
- Venkata Ratnam Naidu – against devadasi system.
- Veersalingam Pantulu- Supported widow Remarriage – opened first girl’s
school.

E. Answer the following:

 1. Who established the Brahmo Samaj?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahmo Samaj.

2. When was the Widow Remarriage Act passed?

The widow remarriage was passed in 1856.

3. Write the names of two women reformers in India.

The names of two women reformers in India are Pandita Ramabai and the
Sarojini Naidu .

4. Which social reformer fought against the devadasi system?

R Venkata Ratnam Naidu fought against the Devadasi system.

F. Answer the following:-

1. Explain the condition of women in the 19th century in India?

The position of the women in the society was deplorable due to the
prevalence of practices such as sati, infanticide, polygamy, child marriage and
illiteracy. Women had to follow the customs of the husband’s household. After her
husband’s death, she was forced to live in a difficult situation as a widow or
become a sati, immolating herself at the funeral fire of her husband.

2. Name three reformers who spearheaded the women’s reform movement in

Maharashtra .
In Maharashtra , Ranade founded the National Social Conference to focus
attention on social reforms. At the same time, the Parsee journalist Behramji Malabari
captured the attention of the English reading public with his articles in The Times’ on
the evils of child marriage and the tragedy of forced widowhood for young women.
Another important reformer in Maharashtra was Jyotiba Phule. He and his wife started
a girl’s school at Poona. He also actively campaigned for the remarriage of widows.

3. What was the state of education for women in the nineteenth century?
Till 19th century , Indian women were denied formal education. They were perceived
as home makers. It was believed that if they would be educated, they would refuse to do
house work. Some people supported their education, provided, it was limited to moral
education and learning of home sciences, such as cooking, sewing, etc.

4. Bring out the efforts made by Pandita Ramabai for improving the condition of the
women?
Pandita Ramabai was one such pioneer in the field of women’s reform. She educated
in the sacred Sanskrit texts by her father and had a become a widow at a young age. Her
own experience as a widow led to work for the welfare of widows.

5. What efforts were undertaken to facilitate social reform in Muslim society?

 Khwaja Abdullah introduced education girls. The Aligarh Movement led by Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan also did much for the education and emancipation and Muslim women.

G. Answer the following:

1. What led the social reformers to work for the emancipation of women?
- Many social reformers strongly supported the view that girls education was
important for improving the condition of women in society.
- Ishwar Chandra vidaysagar work towards providing education to women he
opened and ran many schools for girls at his own expenses.
- Sir Syed Ahmed Khan also promoted women’s issues specially by promoting
education. He was against the purdah and polygamy.
- Pandita Ramabai – Educated in Sanskrit texts and became a widow at a
young age. Worked for widows.
- Worked with Arya Mahila Samaj in Poona.
- Established sharda Sadan a school for Indian widows in Bombay.
- Sarojini Naidu- Social worker. Part of all India Women’s conference in 1927.

2. What were the main achievements of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar?

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Main Achievements:

- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed the cause of female Education.

- Setup 35 schools for girls
- First one in Calcutta in1849.
- Contributed to the widow Remarriage Act.
- The first one – Calcutta on 7Dec 1856.
-
3. Compare the present status of women with that of the nineteenth and early twentieth
century?
Prevailing Condition of women
- Sati
- Infanticide
- Purdah
- Devasdasi system
- Polygamy
- Child Marriage
- Illiteracy
- But now the status of Indian women has radically changed since independence.
Both the structural and cultural changes provided equality of opportunities to
women in education, employment and political participation.

4. How did personal experiences lead Rammohan and Vidyasagar to take up the cause of
social reform?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Brahmo Samaj
- Father of modern India
 - Campaigned against sati, child marriage, Polygamy and untouchability.
- Sati banned in 1829 by William Bentick.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed the cause of female Education.

- Setup 35 schools for girls
- First one in Calcutta in1849.
- Contributed to the widow Remarriage Act.
- The first one – Calcutta on 7Dec 1856.

5. What were the efforts made in north and south India to improve the condition of
women?
North India:
- Swami Dayanand- Founder of Arya Samaj – encouraged education of women
through Kanya-gurukuls
- Aligarh movement led by Syed Ahmed Khan- education and emancipation of
women.
South India:
- Venkata Ratnam Naidu – Against devadasi system
- Veerasalingam Pantulu – Supported widow Remarriage – opened first girls school.

Lesson 8
Education and British rule

E. Answer the following:

1. What purpose did the introduction of English education serve for the British?
The British introduced modern education in India to serves their own interest.

2. Who established the Sanskrit College?

Janathan Ducan established the Sanskrit college.

3. When was the Indian universities act passed?

The Indian universities act was passed in 1904.

4. Think of at least two reasons why the British choose to neglect the education of
the masses?
The British wanted to use modern education to strengthen the foundations of their
political authority in India. Mass education was neglected leading to widespread
illiteracy.

5. What was the main focus of Hunter Commission?

The main focus of Hunter commission was primary and secondary education.

F. Answer the following:

1. How was education imparted by the traditional Indian education system at the
elementary and higher levels?
 Before the British Rule, education in India was imparted through a network of
elementary schools., Pathshala and markets. The courses were based on the old
texts like the vedas and their commentaries which had not kept pace with the
changes in the world.

2. write a short note on the Wardha scheme of Basic Education?

Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National congress thought that western
education had created a gulf between the educated and the masses.
This scheme was the first attempt to develop and indigenous scheme was
learning through activity. It was based on Gandhian ideas published in a series of
articles in the weekly Harijan.

3. What was the significance of the Charter Act of 1813?

Charles Grant considered to be the father of modern education as it was
because of his efforts that the charter Act of 1813came into force. The charter had
failed to clearly state what should be the medium of instruction. English for Indian
languages. It was also ambiguous about the means of expanding English education
in India.

4. Highlight the contribution of sir Syed Ahmed Khan in the spread of education
and the awakening of Muslims?
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan felt that it was important for Muslims to receive
modern education and became involved in the public life and government services
of India at that time. He began to prepare the road map for the formation of a
Muslim University by starting various schools. In 1875, he founded the
Mohammdan Anglo oriental college in Aligarh. His objective was to build a college
in tune with the British education system but without compromising on its Islamic
values.

5. Discuss the Anglicist-Orientalist controversy. How was it resolved?

The orientalist wanted to promote Indian education through the Medium of
classical languages such as Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian.
The Anglicists, on the other hand, supported the promotion of western learning
through the medium of English Language.

G. Answer the following:

1. What, in your view were the merits and demerits of introducing western
education in India?
Merits of introducing western education in India.
- Graded schools were to be established in the hierarchy as universities,
colleges, high schools, middle schools and primary schools.
- English was recommended as the medium of instruction for higher
studies and Indian languages or vernaculars at the school level.
- Emphasis was given on female and vocational education and on teachers
training.
- Universities were to be set up in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
 - The traditional system of Indian learning gradually declined after 1844
when it was declared that applicants for government employment should
posses knowledge of English.
- Education of women was highly neglected. No universities for girls had
been set up till 1916.only a handful of women could read and write.
- There was no sort of scientific or technological education fo the Indians
under British rule.

2. wood’s Despatch is a landmark in the history of English education in India. Do

you know why?
- It helped to start a new era in the Indian education system
- It defined the objectives of education.
- It offered education at all levels -the primary, secondary and higher
education.
- It recommended mass education.
- It encouraged the setting up of new schools and universities were
established.
- It gave importance to vocational education.
- Scholarships were given to the deserving students.
- Regional and classical Languages were taught in the schools.

Lesson 10
Challenging the caste system
E. Answer the questions:
1. Who established the Brahmo samaj?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahmo Samaj.

2. Who founded the All India depressed classes Association?

Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar founded the all India repressed classes
association.

3. Name one reformer who organized the caste movement in south India?
Narayana Guru organized the caste movement in South India.

4. What did the Justice Movement fight for?

The Justice movement fought for the Brahmin predominance in services,
politics, and education.

5. Why were the British not keen on eradicating the caste distinctions prevalent in
the society?
The British did little in terms of passing legislations against caste
discrimination as it served purpose of divide and rule.

F. Answer the following:

1. What do you understand by caste movements?

 In the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, there was a growth of class
consciousness among the lower castes who took it upon themselves to struggle for
caste equality. Such movements, known as caste movement.

2. Bring out the contribution of the Satya Shodhak Samaj?

- Satya Shodhak samaj was a social reform society founded by JyotiRao
Phule in Pune, Mahasrashtra.
- It is espoused admission of education and increased social rights and
political access for underprivileged groups like women shudras and the
list, in Maharashtra.
- It became widely popular particularly in villages.

3. Discuss the achievements of Sri Narayan Guru?

- Narayan Guru dedicated himself to the cause of improving the

condition of the oppressed people, particularly the Ezhavas.
- He asked his followers not only to break forcefully all the social taboos
imposed by the brahmins but also to enter temples without fear.
- He stated establishing temples without images of Gods.
- He built his first temple by installing a stone from a nearby stream.

4. Why did Gandhi support the cause of social reform?

He firmly believed that political freedom had no meaning without social

reforms. Hence, he whole-heartedly supported the cause of the downtrodden.

5. Why did the reformers take up the cause of social reformation?

Reformers believed that without social reforms, it was not possible to achieve
any progress in the political and economic fields.

G. Answer the following:

1. What led to the growth of class consciousness among the lower castes in the
nineteenth and twentieth Century?

In the late 19th and 20th centuries, there was a growth of class consciousness
among the lower castes who took it upon themselves to struggle for caste
equality.
Two factors led to the growing awareness of the lower castes regarding
their rights.
- The period witnessed the spread of education among the operation
classes.
- To safeguard themselves against the oppression of the upper castes,
they began to form their own association, a few of which soon assumed
an all India status.