Class 8:History & Civics Study Material Chapter:4 The Freedom Struggle of 1857 I. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options Options: [ Umaji Naik, War of Independence, Lord Dalhousie, Secretary of State, Tatya Tope ] 1. V. D. Savarkar named the struggle of 1857 as the War of Independence . 2. Umaji Naik united the Ramoshis to rebel against the British. 3. After the struggle of 1857, the post of Secretary of State was created in the British Government to look after the affairs of India. 4. Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General who annexed the princely states. II. Explain the following statements with reasons Q.1 The Paikas made armed rebellion against the British. (1) The Britishers conquered Odisha in 1803. (2) They confiscated the hereditary rent-free land granted to Paikas by the kings. (3) The life of the common man became miserable due to tax imposed on salt by the British. This resulted in armed rebellion of the Paikas against the British in 1817. Q.2 There was discontent among the Hindu and Muslim sepoys. (1) In 1856, the British introduced long Enfield rifles. (2) The soldiers were required to bite the greased covering of the cartridges of the rifle to open them. (3) The news spread among the soldiers that the covering of the cartridges contained the fat of cows and pigs. (4) The religious sentiments of the Hindu and Muslim soldiers were hurt and there was discontent among them. Q.3 The Indian sepoys could not keep stand in front of the British army. (1) The Indian soldiers were brave but they had no military strategies. (2) They did not have economic strength. (3) Indians did not have latest and enough stock of arms and experienced army generals like the British. (4) On the other hand, the British possessed the modern means of transport and communication and were therefore swift in their movements. This proved that the wars are not fought only on bravery but also through military strategies. Q.4 After the struggle, Indian army was divided on the basis of caste. (1) The British felt that if the Indians came together they would again unite and rebel against the British rule. (2) Hence, proper care was taken by dividing them on the basis of caste to avoid future conflict. Q.5 The British imposed heavy taxes on Indian industries. (1) The British introduced new revenue system with the sole purpose to increase their income. (2) The taxes were forcibly collected from the farmers. (3) British goods were sold in India to gain profits. (4) They imposed heavy taxes on the goods made by local industries. (5) This trade policy ruined Indian handicraft and textile industries. (6) Many artisans became unemployed. The British imposed heavy taxes on Indian industries with the sole purpose to ruin the Indian economy. III. Answer the following questions in brief Q.1 What were the social causes behind the struggle of 1857? Ans: Social causes : The Indians felt that the Britishers were interfering in the culture, tradition and customs of India. Sati prohibition, widow remarriage act were correct from social point of view, but the Indians thought that it is an interference in their lifestyle and hence they were dissatisfied. Q.2.Why did the Indians fail in the struggle of 1857? Ans. There are several reasons for the failure of Indians in the struggle of 1857. They were: (1) It did not have central leadership so lacked uniformity. (2) The Indian soldiers who participated in the struggle did not have latest and sufficient weapons. (3) They were brave but did not have tactics. (4) On the other hand, the British had a unified leadership, disciplined army, latest weapons and experienced army generals. (5) The British controlled transport and communication which made their movement swift. (6) The majority of the rulers of the Princely States kept themselves away from the freedom struggle. (7) The struggle was severe in Northern India. It did not take place all over India simultaneously. (8) Rajputana, Punjab, some parts of Bengal and North west India remained aloof. Q.2 What were the consequences of the struggle of 1857? Ans. (1) The British government realised that there was growing dissatisfaction among the Indians due to Company's rule. (2) The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act in 1858 and took over the responsibility of ruling over people of India thus bringing an end to Company's rule. (3) The Queen issued a Declaration addressing the people of India. (4) The Governor General was designated as the Viceroy of India. (5) A new post of Secretary of State was created to look after the affairs of India. (6) The British changed the composition of army and its internal policies. Q.3 What were the changes in British policy after the struggle of 1857? Ans. (1) The British accepted the policy of non-interference in social and religious aspects of Indians. (2) They took care that Indian society did not unite on social grounds. (3) They took care to see that conflicts on grounds of caste, religion, race, territory kept raging. (4) They poisoned and polluted the minds of Indians by following the policy of 'Divide and Rule'.
Class 8:History & Civics Study Material Chapter:4 The Freedom Struggle of 1857 I. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options Options: [ Umaji Naik, War of Independence, Lord Dalhousie, Secretary of State, Tatya Tope ] 1. V. D. Savarkar named the struggle of 1857 as the War of Independence . 2. Umaji Naik united the Ramoshis to rebel against the British. 3. After the struggle of 1857, the post of Secretary of State was created in the British Government to look after the affairs of India. 4. Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General who annexed the princely states. II. Explain the following statements with reasons Q.1 The Paikas made armed rebellion against the British. Answer :(1) The Britishers conquered Odisha in 1803. (2) They confiscated the hereditary rent-free land granted to Paikas by the kings. (3) The life of the common man became miserable due to tax imposed on salt by the British. This resulted in armed rebellion of the Paikas against the British in 1...
