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 were the commodities that these companies traded in?
Q 2.
What was the result of the competition between the trading companies from different European countries?
Q 3.
Give a brief description of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Q 4.
What did Nana Saheb want of the British?
Q 5.
Give a brief description of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Q 6.
Give a brief account of Tantia Tope.
Q 7.
What did Tipu Sultan do that resulted in wars against the Company?
Q 8.
Why did the British dislike shifting cultivators?
Q 9.
What were the reforms introduced by the British?
Q 10.
Why did James Mill divide his book, The History of British India’ into the Hindu, Muslim and British
Q 11.
Give a brief description of Kingsway.
Q 12.
Describe a colonial bungalow during the early 20th century.
Q 13.
When did the Blue rebellion break-out?
Q 15.
Give a brief account of Tantia Tope.
Q 16.
In 1911 a grand Durbar was held by the British in Delhi, why?
Q 17.
Write a short note on the Santhals of Jharkhand.
Q 18.
What were the main features of the Ryoti system of cultivation?
Q 19.
How did the East India Company establish trade in India and enter the political scene?
Q 20.
What do we mean by "time-span" in connection with historical events?
Q 21.
What were the main features of the Ryoti system of cultivation?
Q 22.
How did the status of the tribal chiefs change after the British established power in India?
Q 23.
Trace the eight cities that existed before New Delhi between 736 AD and the 17th Century.
Q 24.
What were the activities of the Tribals?
Q 25.
What were to the two major systems of indigo cultivation in India?
Q 26.
When did the British gain control of Delhi?
Q 27.
What did the British do to demolish Delhis past?
Q 28.
What is Land Settlement Act and why was it enforced?
Q 29.
What were the benefits reaped by the East India company as the Diwan of Bengal?
Q 30.
Give a brief description of the ryotwari system.
Q 31.
What was the out come of the Blue Rebellion?
Q 32.
What were the rules followed by the British East India Company while occupying the Indian States?
Q 33.
Trace the rebellion from Meerut to Delhi.
Q 34.
When and between whom did the 3rd Battle of Panipat take place?
Q 35.
What was the result of the competition between the trading companies from different European countries?
Q 37.
Who was Nana Saheb?
Q 38.
Mention a few other events, which if recorded, will make history more interesting to everyone.
Q 39.
When did the Blue rebellion break-out?
Q 40.
Give a brief note on the wars between the Marathas and the British East India Company?
Q 41.
What was the incidence that triggered the mutiny?
Q 42.
How were records preserved during the British rule?
Q 44.
What are Reserved forests?
Q 45.
What were the powers enjoyed by the Residents appointed by the Company?
Q 46.
Why were ryots reluctant to grow indigo?
Q 47.
What was the demand of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Q 48.
What were the grievances of the Sepoys?
Q 49.
Who lived in the white areas in cities such as Madras?
Q 50.
What happened to the Nawabs when the British established political power in India?
