British Annexation of Awadh

Sepoys' Concerns and the Company's Actions

• The main concern of the sepoys was the threat to their religious and cultural beliefs due to the new rules in the Company's army.

1824 Refusal and Consequences

• Sepoys refused to go to Burma by the sea route in 1824 due to their fear of losing caste, as traveling by sea was considered taboo.
• In response, the Company took action by abolishing the requirement of traveling by sea.

Peasants' Anger and Sepoys' Reaction

• The anger of the peasants spread among the sepoys due to the growing discontent among the peasantry caused by the Company's revenue policies and land acquisitions.
• Sepoys reacted negatively to the requirement of serving overseas, fearing loss of caste and cultural identity.

British Rule in Awadh

• Governor-General Dalhousie declared that British rule was needed in Awadh, citing misgovernance and the need for British intervention.

Mughal Dynasty and Bahadur Shah Zafar

• In 1849, the Company took action by annexing the Mughal Empire and deposing the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar's descendants would be pensioned off.

Land Reforms and Discontent

• The Company's land reforms led to many peasants and zamindars losing their lands in the countryside, contributing to widespread discontent.
• Indian sepoys working for the Company felt discontent due to various grievances, including the Company's attitude towards their cultural beliefs and the growing sense of economic exploitation.

Peshwa Baji Rao II

• Peshwa Baji Rao II's pleas for his father's pension got rejected by the Company, highlighting the decline of the Maratha Confederacy and the Company's growing dominance.

Test your knowledge on the British annexation of Awadh, including the imposition of subsidiary alliance, Governor-General Dalhousie's declaration, and the eventual takeover by the Company. Explore the historical events surrounding the British rule in Awadh.