NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel Social Science

Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 5 When People Rebel that will provide you with adequate time to research and work on their assignments. Whether it is to prepare for an upcoming exam or to simply learn more the key is reviewing the basics. Thus, we offer full NCERT Solutions so you can focus on understanding how each concept manages to fit together. You will experience the wonder and beauty in all that you are learning.

Chapter 5 When People Rebel NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History

Let's Recall

1. What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?

Solution

After the death of her husband, Rani Lakshmibai demanded that the East India Company acknowledge her adopted son as rightful heir to the kingdom. This demand was refused by the British.

2. What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?

Solution

In 1850, the law was passed allowing an Indian who had converted to Christianity to inherit the property of his ancestors. This made it easier to convert to Christianity.

3. What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?

Solution

The new cartridges were suspected of being coated with the fat of cows and pigs. Both Hindus and Muslim sepoys were offended by the introduction of these cartridges. Their religious sentiments were affected, and this was the reason they refused to use the cartridges. They felt that the British were trying to insult their religions.

4. How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?

Solution

The last Mughal Emperor spent the last years of his life incarcerated in Rangoon with his wife.

Let's Discuss

5. What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?

Solution

The reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May, 1857 were too many:

• There were several riots, rebellion, and revolts that occurred before May 1857. But all these were localized and were suppressed by the British there and then.

• By the mid 18th century, the powers of Nawabs, rajas, zamindars etc. were eroded. The freedom of the Indian rulers was reduced, their armed forces were disbanded, and their revenue and territories were taken by stages.

• The Mughal Empire had lost its power and control over the provinces. The traditional rulers fought among themselves, which made it difficult for them to present a united front against foreign control.

• Residents had been stationed in many courts by the British as their representatives. These residents kept informing the governors about the important developments in every kingdom.

• The Indian princes and chiefs that the British had allowed to continue sided with the British before May, 1857.

6. What impact did Bahadur Shah Zafar's support to the rebellion have on the people and the ruling families?

Solution

There was a wide-spread impact on the people of the entire country and its ruling families after Bahadur Shah Zafar's support to the rebellion. These were:

• He sent letters to all of the chiefs and rulers of the country to come forward and organize a confederacy of Indian states to fight with Britishers. All small and big kingdoms, kings, Nawabs, Rajas, princes, zamindars, chiefs and even many Hindu and Muslim religious leaders welcomed this initial step taken by the Emperor and joined hands to rebel against the British.

• Regiment after regiment mutinied and started to join other troops at nodal points like Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow.

• The people of towns and villages started to rally around local leaders, zamindars and rulers. They were ready to regain their lost authority and fight against the British.

7. How did the British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh?

Solution

The British succeed in securing the submission of the rebel landowners of Awadh by adopting various methods such as:

• They announced reward for loyal landowners.

• They were assured that they would be allowed to continue to enjoy traditional rights over their lands.

• Those who had rebelled were told that if they submitted to the British, and if they had not killed any white people, they would remain safe and their rights and claims to land would not be denied.

8. In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?

Solution

Changes in the policies of the British after the suppression of the rebellion of 1857:

• British Crown took over the control of administration: The British Parliament passed an Act in 1859, under which, the powers of the East India Company were transferred to the British Crown. As a result, the British government was now directly responsible for ruling India.

• Provided a sense of security to the local rulers: The ruling chiefs of the country were assured that their territories would never be annexed by the British. However, for their pledge of allegiance to the British crown and their support of the Doctrine of Lapse, they had to swear allegiance to the British crown.

• Provided a sense of security to landowners: The policies were created to protect landlords and Zamindars, and it gives them security of rights over their lands.

• Reorganised the army: The proportion of Indian soldiers in the army was reduced and the number of foreign soldiers in the army was increased.

• Treated the Muslims with suspicion and hostility: The British considered Muslims to be responsible for the rebellion and took their property on a large scale.

• Promised non-interference in the sphere of religion: The British assured the people of India that their religious and social practises would be respected and not interfered with.