Question:
What were the causes of the Sepoy Mutiny?
Answer:
There were many causes for the Sepoy mutiny.
Political causes The policy of annexation created panic and a feeling of insecurity among the rulers of various states. Corruption and inefficiency in the administration further created political unrest and the Indians wanted to get rid of the British.
Social causes The continuous interference of English in the basic way of living, traditional beliefs, values and norms was seen by the Indian masses as threat to their religion. The activities of the Christian missionaries, whose objective was to convert people to their faith, led to peoples believe that the British Government wanted to eradicate their caste and convert them to Christianity.
Economic causes The general discontentment grew rapidly and strongly among the Indian soldiers. Most of the Indian soldiers in the East India Company's army came from peasant families which were deeply affected by their impoverished status.
Religious causes The Sepoys were convinced that the English were conspiring to convert them to Christianity. Superior civil and military officers abused the name of Ram and Muhammad. Idolatry was denounced. Hindu gods and goddesses were ridiculed. The Religious Disabilities Act modified Hindu customs. This act enabled a convert to Christianity to inherit his ancestral property. All this created resentment among the people.
Military causes The Sepoys emoluments were very low in comparison with those of the British soldiers and their chances of promotion negligible. The loyalty of the Sepoys was further undermined by ertain military reforms which outraged their religious feelings. They had an aversion to overseas service, as travel across the seas meant loss of caste for them.
Immediate Causes The introduction of Greased cartridges in 1856 sparked the fire. The government decided to replace the old-fashioned musket, 'Brown Begs' by the 'Enfield rifle’. The loading process of the nfield rifle involved bringing the cartridge to the mouth and biting of the top paper. There was a rumour among the Sepoys in January 1857 that the greased cartridge contained the fat of cow and pig, the former sacred to Hindus and latter forbidden to Muslims. The Sepoys were now convinced that the introduction of greased cartridges was a deliberate attempt to defile Hindu and Muslim religion. This sparked off the Mutiny on 29th March 1857.
How, When and Where
Q 1.
What are Reserved forests?
Q 2.
What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?
Q 3.
How and when did the British East India Company set foot in India?
Q 4.
What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
Q 5.
Give a brief note on the Battle of Plassey.
Q 6.
Give a brief description of the ryotwari system.
Q 7.
Describe a colonial bungalow during the early 20th century.
Q 8.
Why did James Mill divide his book, The History of British India’ into the Hindu, Muslim and British
Q 9.
How did the status of the tribal chiefs change after the British established power in India?
Q 10.
What was the demand of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Q 11.
Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Companys army.
Q 12.
What were the rules followed by the British East India Company while occupying the Indian States?
Q 13.
During the Mughal rule what was the status of the Diwan?
Q 14.
Give a brief account of Tantia Tope.
Q 15.
What did Nana Saheb want of the British?
Q 16.
Name the notable tribes in India.
Q 17.
What were the activities of the Tribals?
Q 18.
What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?
Q 19.
Why did the British dislike shifting cultivators?
Q 20.
Trace the rebellion from Meerut to Delhi.
Q 21.
What were the ambitious plans of the East India Company?
Q 22.
What were the reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire?
Q 23.
Give a brief note on the Battle of Plassey.
Q 24.
Who wrote the book The History of British India?
Q 25.
What did British historians in India write about?
Q 26.
In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?
Q 27.
How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?
Q 28.
Who lived in the white areas in cities such as Madras?
Q 29.
Give a brief description of the Viceroys Palace.
Q 30.
What was the incidence that triggered the mutiny?
Q 31.
What was the doctrine of lapse?
Q 32.
Why is it important to have dates or time frames while writing History?
Q 33.
How was the mahalwari system different from the Permanent Settlement?
Q 34.
What were the reforms introduced by the British?
Q 36.
What was the incidence that triggered the mutiny?
Q 37.
Trace the eight cities that existed before New Delhi between 736 AD and the 17th Century.
Q 38.
What were the reforms introduced by the British?
Q 40.
What were the disadvantages of the ryotwari system?
Q 41.
What was the out come of the Blue Rebellion?
Q 42.
What were the rules followed by the British East India Company while occupying the Indian States?
Q 43.
What do we mean by "time-span" in connection with historical events?
Q 44.
What did British historians in India write about?
Q 45.
Apart from official records what are the other sources of information that is available to historians?
Q 46.
Give two problems which arose with the new Munro system of fixing revenue.
Q 47.
What were the benefits reaped by the East India company as the Diwan of Bengal?
Q 48.
Name the notable tribes in India.
Q 49.
What is Land Settlement Act and why was it enforced?
Q 50.
How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?
