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Welcome to the NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel 1857 and After. This chapter delves into an important moment in the history of India and the uprising of 1857 against British colonial rule and its aftermath. We will explore the causes, events, and consequences of this rebellion, examining its impact on the struggle for independence.
Overall, NCERT class 8 history chapter 5 deals with the lens of historical narratives and personal accounts. We aim to provide the motivations behind the rebellion and its significance in shaping the path of India towards independence.
Table of Contents
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Also Read: NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Notes (Free PDF)
Introduction to NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 5 Notes When People Rebel 1857 and After
Let us step into the world where we can learn about what happened, When People Rebel 1857 where history comes alive with the echoes of the nation complementary. In this chapter, we will walk into the journey where knowledge about the Revolt of 1857 will help us know more about the Indian subcontinent and the eruption of rebellion against British rule. The spark that ignites the uprising of independence will uncover the stories of courage and sacrifice.
Also Read: NCERT Class 9 Science Chapter 1 ‘Matter in Our Surroundings’ Notes (Free PDF)
Policies and People
In the preceding chapters, we explored the impact of East India Company policies on various segments of society, including kings, queens, peasants, landlords, tribals, and soldiers. Each group experienced these policies differently, shaping their lives in distinct ways.
Additionally, we learned about the importance of resistance against harmful policies and actions that contradict people’s interests or sentiments.
| Impact of East India Company Policies: 1. Different groups of people, including kings, queens, peasants, landlords, tribals, and soldiers, were affected by the policies of the East India Company. 2. These policies had varied effects on each group, influencing their socio-economic status, land ownership, and overall livelihoods. 3. People across society demonstrated resistance against policies that threatened the interests of Britishers or went against their sentiments. 4. Resistance took various forms, including protests, uprisings, and movements aimed at safeguarding rights and autonomy. 5. Understanding the perspectives of how different groups were impacted by the policies helps us comprehend the complexities of historical events and their lasting effects. |
Nawabs lose their power
Since the mid-eighteenth century, nawabs and rajas witnessed a gradual decline in their power and prestige. Their authority diminished as residents were stationed in their courts, armed forces disbanded, and territories were annexed by the East India Company.
1. Nawabs and rajas experienced a gradual loss of authority and honour over time. 2. Residents were stationed in their courts, curbing their freedom, while their armed forces were disbanded, and territories taken away. 3. Some ruling families, like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Nana Saheb, tried to negotiate with the Company to protect their interests. 4. For example, Rani Lakshmibai wanted recognition for her adopted son as the heir, while Nana Saheb sought his father’s pension. 5. Awadh was one of the last territories to be annexed, with a subsidiary alliance imposed in 1801 and a complete takeover in 1856. 6. Governor-General Dalhousie cited misgovernance as a reason for annexation, asserting the need for British rule for proper administration. 7. The Company even planned the end of the Mughal dynasty, removing the Mughal king’s name from coins and announcing plans to shift the king’s family out of the Red Fort. 8. Governor-General Canning declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the last Mughal king, with none of his descendants recognized as kings thereafter. They would only be referred to as princes. |
The Peasants and the Sepoys
In rural areas, peasants and zamindars faced resentment due to high taxes and rigid revenue collection methods, leading to land loss and indebtedness. Additionally, Indian sepoys employed by the Company harboured discontent over pay, allowances, and service conditions, exacerbated by new rules conflicting with their religious beliefs.
1. Peasants and zamindars were burdened by high taxes and inflexible revenue collection methods, resulting in land loss and indebtedness to moneylenders. 2. Failure to repay loans led to the gradual loss of lands cultivated for generations, exacerbating resentment in rural communities. 3. Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, allowances, and service conditions under the Company’s employment. 4. Some new rules contradicted their religious beliefs, causing further discontent among the sepoys. 5. Many people believed that crossing the sea would result in the loss of their religion and caste, influencing the sepoys’ refusal to travel to Burma by sea in 1824. 6. This refusal led to severe punishment, prompting the Company to pass a new law in 1856, requiring every new recruit to agree to serve overseas if necessary. 7. Sepoys, many of whom were peasants with families in villages, empathized with the grievances of rural communities. 8. Anger among peasants quickly spread to the sepoys, highlighting the interconnectedness of rural discontent and military grievances. |
Responses to reforms
The British administration in India introduced societal reforms, such as abolishing sati and promoting widow remarriage. They also encouraged English-language education and allowed Christian missionaries to operate freely. However, these reforms sparked concerns among Indians about eroding their religion and customs under British rule.
1. Laws were enacted to abolish the practice of sati (widow immolation) and encourage the remarriage of widows, aiming at social reform and women’s rights. 2. English-language education was promoted as a means to modernize Indian society and facilitate administrative efficiency. 3. Christian missionaries were allowed to operate freely in British India from 1830 on, with permission to own land and property. 4. A law passed in 1850 facilitated conversion to Christianity, allowing converted Indians to inherit ancestral property, which led to concerns among some Indians about the erosion of traditional beliefs and practices. 5. Many Indians began to perceive British rule as a threat to their religion, social customs, and traditional way of life, as reforms introduced by the British clashed with traditional values and practices. 6. While some Indians embraced societal reforms, others opposed British interference in traditional practices. |
A Mutiny Becomes a Popular Rebellion
In 1857, a widespread rebellion erupted in northern India against the English East India Company. Starting in Meerut, sepoy mutinies spread, uniting people from all walks of life against colonial rule.
| 1. Struggles between rulers and the ruled sometimes escalate into widespread popular resistance, leading to the breakdown of state power. 2. This occurs when a large number of people perceive a common enemy and collectively rise up against it, organizing and communicating to challenge the existing order. 3. In May 1857, the northern parts of India witnessed a massive rebellion against the English East India Company’s rule. 4. Sepoys mutinied in multiple locations, with the rebellion spreading rapidly across different sections of society. 5. Some historians regard the Rebellion of 1857 as the most significant armed resistance to colonialism in the nineteenth century, reflecting the widespread discontent and opposition to British rule in India. 6. The rebellion was sparked by various factors, including grievances among sepoys over pay and conditions, resentment towards British policies, and broader social and economic discontent among Indian society. |
From Meerut to Delhi
In April and May 1857, a significant uprising against British rule in India began after Mangal Pandey‘s execution for attacking officers. Sepoys in Meerut refused suspect cartridges, sparking unrest. They marched, attacked British officers, and declared war, led by Bahadur Shah Zafar.
| 1. Mangal Pandey’s execution for attacking his officers ignited discontent among sepoys. 2. Sepoys in Meerut refused to use cartridges suspected of being coated with cow and pig fat, leading to dismissals and jail sentences. 3. Soldiers in Meerut released imprisoned comrades, attacked British officers, and declared war on the British, choosing Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader. 4. Soldiers rode to Delhi, where the rebellion spread, with regiments joining the uprising and demanding Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support. 5. Initially hesitant, Bahadur Shah Zafar eventually accepted the soldiers’ demand and became the symbol of the rebellion. 6. Bahadur Shah Zafar’s support inspired smaller rulers and chieftains to envision a return to Mughal rule, threatening British authority. 7. The British had not expected such widespread rebellion, but Bahadur Shah Zafar’s blessing transformed the situation, instilling courage and hope among the people. |
The Rebellion spreads
After the British were ousted from Delhi, a brief calm ensued before a surge of mutinies and uprisings swept through India. Soldiers, regiments, and civilians across towns and villages rebelled against British rule, rallying behind local leaders and challenging colonial authority.
1. Following the expulsion of the British from Delhi, a period of relative calm ensued before widespread mutinies and uprisings erupted across India. 2. Soldiers, regiments, and civilians joined forces to challenge British rule, inspired by local leaders and driven by a desire to assert autonomy. 3. Key figures emerged as leaders of the rebellion, including Nana Saheb in Kanpur, Birjis Qadr in Lucknow, and Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi. 4. The rebellion spread rapidly across regions, with leaders like Rani Avantibai Lodhi in Madhya Pradesh and Kunwar Singh in Bihar joining the fight against British forces. 5. The outnumbered British faced defeats in several battles, prompting widespread belief among the Indian populace that British rule had collapsed. 6. The uprising signaled a significant shift in power dynamics, with leaders and fighters from diverse backgrounds uniting against British colonialism. |
The Company Fights Back
In response to the widespread rebellion, the East India Company embarked on a campaign to suppress the revolt with full force. Reinforcements were summoned from England, new laws were enacted to facilitate the convictions of rebels, and the Company moved to quell the uprising’s epicenter.
| 1. The East India Company, discouraged by the scale of the rebellion, decided to suppress it vigorously by deploying reinforcements from England and enacting new laws to expedite convictions. 2. Delhi was recaptured from rebel forces in September 1857, resulting in the trial and sentencing of Bahadur Shah Zafar to life imprisonment, followed by imprisonment in Rangoon. 3. Despite the recapture of Delhi, the rebellion persisted, and the British had to wage a two-year-long battle to quell the uprising. 4. Lucknow was taken in March 1858, and prominent rebel leaders like Rani Lakshmibai and Rani Avantibai faced defeat and death in subsequent battles. 5. Tantia Tope continued to resist through guerrilla warfare in central India but was captured, tried, and executed in April 1859. 6. Victories against the British had earlier encouraged rebellion, but defeats led to desertions among rebel forces. 7. To regain loyalty, the British announced rewards for loyal landholders and assured rebels of safety and land rights if they surrendered, but many were tried and hanged nonetheless. |
Aftermath
By the end of 1859, the British had regained control of India following the suppression of the rebellion. However, they recognized the need for significant changes in their governance policies. Key reforms were introduced to streamline administration and address grievances, marking the beginning of a new phase in Indian history.
1. The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act in 1858, transferring the powers of the East India Company to the British Crown. 2. A member of the British Cabinet was appointed Secretary of State for India, responsible for Indian affairs, with the establishment of the India Council to advise them. 3. The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy, representing the Crown’s authority in India. 4. All ruling chiefs were assured that their territories would not be annexed in the future. 5. They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs, including adopted sons, while acknowledging the British Queen as their Sovereign Paramount. 6. It was decided to reduce the proportion of Indian soldiers and increase the number of European soldiers in the army. 7. Recruitment shifted towards Gurkhas, Sikhs, and Pathans instead of regions like Awadh, Bihar, central India, and south India. 8. Muslims faced suspicion and hostility, with large-scale confiscation of their land and property, as the British believed they played a significant role in the rebellion. 9. The British pledged to respect the customary religious and social practices of the Indian population, recognizing the importance of cultural sensitivity. 10. Policies were enacted to protect the rights of landlords and zamindars, ensuring security of tenure over their lands. |
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NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 5 ¨When People Rebel 1857 and After¨
Find the list of important incidents in the history of When People Rebel 1857 and After¨:
| Date | Events |
| May 10, 1857 – Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut | Sepoys in Meerut refused to use new cartridges suspected of being coated with cow and pig fat, leading to their dismissal and sentencing. This defiance sparked a larger rebellion against British rule. |
| September 1857: Recapture of Delhi | British forces recaptured Delhi from rebel forces, leading to the trial and sentencing of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, to life imprisonment. This marked a significant turning point in the rebellion. |
| March 1858 – Fall of Lucknow | British forces captured Lucknow after fierce fighting, further weakening the rebel forces. The fall of Lucknow marked another major setback for the rebellion. |
| June 1858 – Death of Rani Lakshmibai | Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a prominent leader of the rebellion, was defeated and killed in battle against British forces. Her death dealt a blow to the morale of rebel forces. |
| October 1858: Imprisonment of Bahadur Shah Zafar | Bahadur Shah Zafar and his wife, Begum Zinat Mahal were sent to prison in Rangoon after being sentenced to life imprisonment. This marked the end of the Mughal dynasty’s rule in India. |
| April 1859 – Execution of Tantia Tope | Tantia Tope, a key military leader of the rebellion, was captured, tried, and executed by British forces. His death symbolized the end of organised resistance against British rule. |
| 1858 – Transfer of Powers to the British Crown | The British Parliament passed the Government of India Act in 1858, transferring the powers of the East India Company to the British Crown. This marked the beginning of direct Crown rule in India. |
| 1858 – Assurance to Ruling Chiefs | Ruling chiefs were assured that their territories would not be annexed in the future. They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs while acknowledging the British Queen as their Sovereign Paramount. |
| 1858 – Reorganisation of the Army | The British decided to reduce the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army and increase the number of European soldiers. Recruitment shifted towards groups like Gurkhas, Sikhs, and Pathans. |
| 1858 – Confiscation of Muslim Land | Muslims faced suspicion and hostility from the British, resulting in large-scale confiscation of their land and property. They were blamed for the rebellion and treated with suspicion. |
FAQs
Ans: The rebellion began with the execution of Mangal Pandey and sepoys’ refusal to use cartridges suspected of being coated with cow and pig fat, triggering widespread unrest.
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal emperor, was chosen as the leader by the rebels. His acceptance of their demand boosted morale and symbolised the rebellion.
Ans: The rebellion inspired smaller rulers and chieftains to envision a return to Mughal rule and regain autonomy, as Bahadur Shah Zafar’s blessing transformed the situation dramatically.
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