class 8 History short notes for revision
Nawabs lose their power
Since the mid 18th century, Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their power and authority. Their freedom reduced, their armed forces disbanded and their revenue and
territories taken away. The company adopted policies to end the Mughal dynasty and thus paved the way for the British government to rule India.
Many ruling families such as Ranilaxmi Bai of Jhansi tried to negotiate with the company to protect their interest but did not get success.
Now the company began to plan to bring an end to the Mughal dynasty. To make this plan successful the company took several measures.
The name of the Mughal King was removed from the coins minted by the company.
The peasants and Sepoys
In the countryside peasants and zamindars resented the high taxes and the rigid methods of revenue collection.
The Indian sepoys were unhappy about their pay, allowances and condition of service. Some of the countries rule even violated their religious sentiments. Does verywhere there spread discontentment.
Responses to reforms
The responses to the reforms brought in the Indian society by the British were also not positive although some reforms were essential.
The company passed laws to stop the practice of Sati. English language education was promoted.
Some Indians thought that the British were destroying their religion and their social customs while some wanted to change existing social practices. Gradually people began to view the British as their common enemy and therefore they rose up against this enemy at the same time.
A mutiny becomes a popular Rebellion
In May 1857, a massive rebellion started that threatened the company’s very presence in India.
Sepoy mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people from different sections of society rose up in rebellion.
The Sepoys refused to do the army drill Using the new cartridges, which were suspected of being coated with the fat of cows and pigs. Thus, tension grew between sepoys and the company.
The sepoys were to bring an end to the company’s rule. From Meerut they rushed to Delhi.
As the news of their arrival spread, the regiments stationed in Delhi also rose up in rebellion. They met the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and proclaimed him as
their leader.
The Mughal emperor got support from the rulers and Chiefs of the country and together they rose against the British power.
After the British were routed from Delhi, there was no uprising for a few days. Then, a spurt of mutiny began.
The rebellion spreads
• Regiment after regiment mutinied and took off to join other troops at nodal points like Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow. After them the people of the towns and villages also rose up in rebellion and rallied around local leaders zamindars and Chiefs who were prepared to fight the British. Thus a widespread revolt shook the British confidence over ruling India.
The company fights back
The company had no way out except suppressing the revolt with all its might. It brought reinforcements from England, passed new laws so that the rebels could be convicted with ease and then moved into the storm centers of the revolt.
The company recaptured Delhi from the rebel forces. But those shares of word was tried in a court and sentence to life imprisonment.
But people in other areas still continued to resist and battle the British. The British had to fight for two years to suppress the massive forces of popular rebellion.
The British had regained control of the country by the end of 1859 but they could not carry on ruling the land with the same policies anymore.
The Governor General of India was given the title of Visory, that is, a personal representative of the Crown. In this way the British government took direct
responsibility for ruling India.
All ruling Chiefs of the country were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their hires, including adopted sons. However, they were made to acknowledge the British Queen as their sovereign paramount.
Important terms and concepts
- Sepoy : An Indian soldier serving under British or other European orders.
- Mutiny : When soldiers together begin to disobey their officers in the army.
- Firangis : Foreigners. Here, the term has been used for the Englishmen.
- Ghazis : Is an Arabic term originally referring to an individual who participates in military expeditions.
- Paramount : More important than anything else, Supreme.
Datelines
• 1849: Governor General Dahousie announced that after the death of bahadur Shah Zafar, the
family of the King would be shifted out of the Red Fort Ann given another place in Delhi to
reside in.
• 1850 : A new law was passed to make conversion to Christianity easier.
• 1856 : 1. Governor General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal
King and after his death his descendants would be recognized as Princes.
The company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the company’s army had to agree to serve overseas if required.
• 29th March 1857 : Mangal Pandey, a young soldier, was hanged to death for attacking his officers in Barrackpore.
• May 1857 : Sepoys mutinied in several places.