Why Were Power Of Nawabs And Rajas Reducing?
Since the mid-eighteenth century, nawabs and rajas had seen their power erode. They had gradually lost their authority and honour. Residents had been stationed in many courts, the freedom of the rulers reduced, their armed forces disbanded and their revenues and territories taken away by stages. Many ruling families tried to negotiate with the Company to protect their interests.
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Why Were Power Of Nawabs And Rajas Reducing?
What Was The Popular Rebellion?
A very large number of people begin to believe that they have a common enemy and rise up against the enemy at the same time. For such a situation to develop people have to organise, communicate, take initiative and display the confidence to turn the situation around. Such a situation developed in the northern parts of India in 1857. After a hundred years of conquest and administration, the English East India Company faced a massive rebellion that started in May 1857 and threatened the CompanyтАЩs very presence in India. Sepoys mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people from different sections of society rose up in rebellion.
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Important Notes On 8th History Chapter 5
The peasants and the sepoys
In the countryside peasants and zamindars resented the high taxes and the rigid methods of revenue collection. Many failed to pay back their loans to the moneylenders and gradually lost the lands they had tilled for generations. The Indian sepoys were unhappy about their pay, allowances and conditions of service. Some of the new rules, moreover, violated their religious sensibilities and beliefs. So when in 1824 the sepoys were told to go to Burma by the sea route to fight for the Company, they refused to follow the order, though they agreed to go by the land route. They were severely punished and since the issue did not die down, in 1856 the Company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the CompanyтАЩs army had to agree to serve overseas if required. Sepoys also reacted to what was happening in the countryside. Many of them were peasants and had families living in the villages. So the anger of the peasants quickly spread among the sepoys.
Important Questions On 8th History Chapter 5
The decision by Bahadur Shah Zafar to support the rebellion had dramatically changed the entire situation. Most of the smaller rulers and chieftains had been ruling over their territories on behalf of the Mughal ruler. They hoped that if the Mughal ruler could once again resume power, they would also be able to rule their own territories once again. People were emboldened by an alternative possibility.
The British Crown took the direct responsibility of governance in India.
All the ruling chiefs and kings were assured that their territory would never be annexed in future. They could pass on their kingdom to their heirs; including the adopted sons. However, they were to accept the suzerainty of the British Crown.
A decision was taken to increase the proportion of Europeans in the army. More people were to be recruited from among the Gurkhas, Sikhs and Pathans.
It was decided to respect the local customs and traditions.
She had been an unusual woman of her kind. The tales of her bravery, courage and military skills inspired generations of Indians since then. However, she laid down her life and died a martyr at Kalpi near Jhansi on June 17, 1858.]