12 Questions
What was the policy introduced by Lord Wellesley that required Indian states to enter into an alliance with the British company?
Subsidiary Alliance
Which region was annexed by the British after the Anglo-Mysore wars?
Mysore
Under the Doctrine of Lapse, what happened to kingdoms with rulers who had no heirs?
They came under the company's rule
Why was Awadh annexed by the British in 1856 according to Lord Dalhousie?
Alleged Misrule
What action did Lord Dalhousie take against the successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar?
Prohibited them from using the Red Fort as their palace
How did Lord Dalhousie use the Doctrine of Lapse in relation to Jhansi, Satara, and other regions?
Brought them under company's rule due to lack of heirs
What was the British government's decision regarding the use of imperial titles by Bahadur Shah's successors?
They were not allowed to use the imperial titles and would be known as mere princesses.
Why did Zeenat Mahal, the wife of Bahadur Shah, begin plotting against the British?
Because Bahadur Shah's successors were not allowed to use imperial titles
What is meant by Absentee Sovereignty in the context of British rule in India?
India was being ruled by the British government from England
Why were Indians apprehensive about modern innovations introduced by the British like railways and telegraphs?
There were rumors that telegraph poles were used for hanging dissenters
How did British officers treat Indians, leading to resentment among the Indian masses?
With arrogance and superiority
What change in British attitude in the 19th century led to further alienation of the Indian masses?
Interference with local religious practices
Study Notes
The First War of Independence, 1857
Political Causes
- The British expanded their control over India through four ways:
- Outright Wars: Battle of Buxar (1764) gave Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha to British.
- Subsidiary Alliance: Introduced by Lord Wellesley; Indian states had to enter into an alliance with the company, surrendering foreign relations and accepting a British resident.
- Doctrine of Lapse: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie; any ruler without an heir would have their kingdom come under company rule.
- On the pretext of Alleged Misrule: Awadh was annexed in 1856 by Lord Dalhousie.
- Disrespect shown to Bahadur Shah: The British removed the Mughal King's name from coins, denied his successors the use of the Red Fort, and prohibited them from using imperial titles.
- Treatment given to Nana Saheb: The British refused to grant Nana Saheb the pension they were paying to Baji Rao II, and forced him to live at Kanpur, away from his family seat.
- Absentee Sovereignty: The British government ruled India from England, which was resented by the Indians, who felt their wealth was being drained to England.
Socio-Religious Causes
- Interference with Social Customs: The British government's attempts to reform social customs, such as abolishing Sati and introducing the Widow Remarriage Act, were not welcomed by the masses.
- Apprehensions about Modern Innovations: People were suspicious of modern innovations like railways and telegraphs, believing they were introduced to defy their social and religious norms.
- Policy of Racial Discrimination: The British officers were rude and arrogant towards Indians, believing they were superior, and followed a policy of contempt.
- Activities of Missionaries: The British began to interfere with the local customs and traditions, leading to widespread resentment.
Learn about the political causes and events leading to The First War of Independence in India in 1857. Understand the British policies of expansion and the impact on various regions of India.
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