CBSE

 

History-1999-Set I

Q.7. Examine the main causes for the unrest in India before the first half of the 19th century, which were at the root of the revolt of 1857.
(5 marks)
Ans. The revolt of 1857 was an epoch -making event of Indian history.It was the first revolt of its kind, which threatened the British rule in India .The revolt, did not take place suddenly. It should be understood as an accumulated discontent among Indians in various parts of India due to various political, economic and social reasons.

The British East India Company destroyed Indian handicraft industry and trade by imposing high tariff on the Indian Exports. On the other hand, the imports of British goods were duty free. This disrupted both, the industries as well as the trade. Britishers forced the peasantry to grow indigo and other cash crops and sold them to British at very low price.

The princely states were discontented with Britishers who interfered in their rule. Dalhousie’s doctrine of lapse created bitter enemies for them in form of Rani Jhansi, Bahadur Shah , Nawab of Awadh . Another major cause of discontent was the corrupt officials, Police; lower officials and courts were ill reputed for corruption. The judicial system was inadequate. The British government in India was unpopular being a foreign one. It lacked a clear understanding of Indian governance.

The social reforms introduced by British, which included abolition of, sat and child infanticide hurt the religious sentiments of the Indians. The Indian soldiers were discontented due to ill treatment meted out to them by the Britishers. They could not rise higher than the rank of subehdar. The greased cartiges used in the Enfield rifles by the soldiers became the immediate cause of the revolt as it provided a spark to the growing discontent of the masses.

OR

Q. Did the revolt of 1857 have a popular character? Give arguments to support your answer.

Ans .The Revolt of 1857 is shrouded in controversy. Historians have different opinion on the nature and character of the revolt. To some, it was a mere Military revolt while for others it was the first Indian National Movement.

According to the western scholars the revolt of 1857 should be viewed as nothing more than mere military rebellion with little support of the masses. The supporters of this view include Sir John Lawrence , Sir Quntram and P.E. Roberts.They strengthen their argument by postulating that the revolt was confined to small parts of North India and was supported by few Indian rulers who had personal animosity with the British. The peasants remained peaceful, as the revolt was mostly concentrated around the cities while the villagers remained unaffected.

The Indian historians do not agree with the above view. Scholars like Vir Savarkar, Ashok mehta and other nationalist historians give a popular character to the revolt. They call it the first National movement of India where Hindus and the Muslims fought together oust the British. The participation of women has also been emphasised. The revolt was first of its kind, which engulfed large parts of India and witnessed the participation of the masses.

In conclusion, the revolt should be viewed as the first uprising in India where the masses vented their discontent on the oppressors. Though the revolt failed to achieve what it had aimed yet the popular character cannot be ignored.

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