Social Science History Notes for Chapter 5 When People Revolt 1857 and After Class 8 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on When People Revolt 1857 and After Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 5 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
1. What was the key demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that the British administration refused?
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi demanded that her adopted son be recognised as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. However, the British refused this based on the Doctrine of Lapse, which was a major policy that created discontent among Indian rulers.
2. What was the immediate trigger for the Revolt of 1857 among the sepoys?
The immediate trigger for the revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle. A rumour spread among the sepoys that the cartridges for this rifle were greased with the fat of cows and pigs. This was offensive to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, as they had to bite the cartridges to load them, leading them to believe it was a deliberate attempt to defile their religion.
3. How can the main causes of the 1857 Revolt be summarised for a quick revision?
For a quick summary, the causes of the 1857 Revolt can be grouped as follows:
- Political Causes: Policies like the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance led to the annexation of many Indian states.
- Economic Causes: Heavy taxation, destruction of traditional industries, and exploitation of peasants created widespread economic hardship.
- Social & Religious Causes: British interference in social customs and the fear that they were trying to convert Indians to Christianity caused alarm.
- Military Causes: Discontent among sepoys due to low pay, poor promotion prospects, and the greased cartridges incident.
4. Why did a sepoy mutiny in Meerut transform into a widespread popular rebellion?
The sepoy mutiny became a popular rebellion because it acted as a spark for the long-held grievances of various sections of society. Rulers who had lost their kingdoms, peasants burdened by high taxes, and landlords who had lost their lands all saw the mutiny as an opportunity to overthrow the oppressive British rule. The rebellion spread as people joined the sepoys, turning it into a coordinated fight for independence.
5. Who were some other key leaders, besides Rani Lakshmibai, who led the revolt in different regions?
For a complete revision, it's important to remember other key leaders of the revolt. These include:
- Nana Saheb in Kanpur, who was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow, who took an active part in organising the uprising against the British.
- Kunwar Singh, an old zamindar from Bihar, who joined the rebel sepoys.
- Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, who was declared the symbolic leader of the rebellion.
6. How did the British government's administration of India change after the Revolt of 1857?
The aftermath of the revolt brought significant administrative changes. The most important change was the end of the East India Company's rule. The British Crown took direct control of India through the Government of India Act 1858. A member of the British Cabinet, the Secretary of State for India, was appointed to manage Indian affairs, marking a new phase of British colonialism.
7. What was the fate of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, after the revolt was suppressed?
After the British recaptured Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife, Begum Zinat Mahal, were exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) in 1858. He spent his last years there and died in the Rangoon jail in November 1862, marking the formal end of the Mughal dynasty.
8. Why is the 1857 uprising often referred to as the 'First War of Independence'?
The 1857 uprising is often called the 'First War of Independence' because it was the first time that different sections of Indian society from various regions united on a large scale against a common enemy, the British. Although it started as a sepoy mutiny, it soon gained the character of a widespread rebellion involving peasants, artisans, and rulers, signifying a collective effort to regain independence from foreign rule.
