Extra
Questions
1. How
did British East India Company extend its power in India?
Ans. The Indians were not united. The Indian princes were
short-sighted. They fought amongst each other. In order to defeat the other
Kings, they called The British and ultimately defeated them.
2. How
were the Indian princes short-sighted?
Ans. The Indians were
not united at that time. The Indian princes fought among each other. There was
no peace due to constant fights. They called the British to defeat the other
Kings but were not aware of the future consequences. Tipu Sultan who was
far-seeing ruler fought bravely against the British and fought till death. The
British defeated the other kings and later dethroned them also. This shows that
the Indian princes were short-sighted.
3. How
did the British subdue Indian princes?
Ans. The Indian
princes fought amongst each other. They had no unity. One of them took help
from the British and defeated the other princes. But they did not realise the
future consequences. With the help of the rivalries, the East India Company
subdued the Indian princes one by one.
4. What
were the different opinions of the Indians about the British rule in India?
Ans. The peoples of
India had different opinions about the British. Some of them were happy as they
thought that the British brought peace. They considered them to be sent from
God, while others were not happy. They were disappointed that their kings were
dethroned and they became the slaves of the foreigners.
5. How
did India turn socially superstitious? Discuss untouchability and child
marriage?
Ans. The religious
leaders preached ideas like untouchability and child marriage. They spread false
information. According to them, anyone who crossed the seas would lose his
religion. Not only that, they believed that the misery that happened at that
time was only because of the women.
Untouchability and
child marriage were the social stigma that was prevalent at that time.
Untouchability is an act which discriminates among people on the basis of their
caste. Child marriage is a practice in which the marriage is done at a very
young age.
6. How
did the British destroy the farmers and businessmen?
Ans. The British
implemented various laws in order to make more profits. They imposed heavy
taxes on the peasants which forced farmers to abandon their lands. The British
were taking their crops and if anyone dared not to pay them, then the British
would send them to jail. Not only the farmers, but the businessmen in India
were affected too. The British East India Company decided that the good that
were manufactured in England should not have any import duty when it was being
brought to India. Thus, this destroyed the Indian industries. This ruined the artisans
and lead to famine which happened in between 1822 and 1836.
7. How
did Raja Ram Mohan Roy understand what was wrong with the country? What did he
tell his wife Uma?
Ans. Raja Ram Mohan
Roy was a learned person from Bengal understood what was wrong with the
country. He believed that our ancient culture was great. He understood that
superstitions should be eradicated as it was ruining the society.
He told his wife Uma
that Cows were of different colours but the colour of its milk was same. In the
same way, different teachers had different opinions but the essence of religion
was the same.
8. What
attracted Raja Ram Mohan Roy? What did he tell the British in England? Why did
he go to England?
Ans. Raja Ram Mohan
Roy was attracted by science and technology. His knowledge was modern and
modern.
He told the British
that he would accept them as rulers and in the same way, they should accept the
Indians to be subjects and they must remember their duties and responsibilities
towards the subjects.
He went to England to
see what made the British so powerful.
9. Tell
us about Regulation III. How were the British officers making profit?
Ans. The Regulation
III was implemented by the British. The British implemented this policy to
oppress Indians. According to this act, the Indians could be jailed without a
trial in the court.
The British officers
drew big salaries and also made fortunes in private business.
10.How did the
British destroy the cotton weavers of India?
Ans.
The Indian cotton textiles were the leading cotton producers at that time. But
after the British took its hold over the country, they ruined the industry so
badly. They didn’t pay the textile workers properly. Moreover, they imposed
high taxes on imports of Indian textile products to England. On the other hand,
very low taxes were imposed on the Britain textiles and these were then
imported to India. The British textiles were handmade as well as cheaper than
that of the Indian textiles as a result of which its demand decreased
drastically.
11. How did Lord
Macaulay plan to destroy the Education of India and to make Indians
low-profile?
Ans.
Earlier Education System in India was done in Sanskrit and Persian language.
Lord Macaulay suggested teaching the Indians the English language. It would be
easier to communicate with the peoples who would be working under them. Actually, the main motive was not to teach
them rather to destroy the education system.
12. How did Indians take the Western education
as opportunity?
Ans.
Some of the Indians took the Western education as an opportunity and a new
group of intellectuals was being produced. As they were educated so they
decided to educate others and worked for the country. They tried to improve the
material conditions. They even decided to convey their grievances to the
British Parliament.
13. In what ways
there had been grudge among Indians against the British?
Ans.
The British didn’t care for the Indians at all. They used unfair means against
Indians. The Indians understood their real motive. They discussed about their
problems. The kings had turned into puppet rulers. The common people had lost
their jobs and lands. They were even converting their religions which created a
feeling of grudge amongst them.
14. Why did the
Santhals go rebellion against the British?
Ans.
The Santhals lost their lands in Bengal after the implementation of the new
laws. They became quite desperate. In the year of 1885, they rose in rebellion
and massacred Europeans and their supporters alike.
15. Tell us about
Sepoy Mangal Pandey. How Mangal Pandey was a spark for the mutiny?
Ans.
Sepoy Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier who fought bravely against the
British and played a significant role in the First Indian War of Independence
held in the year of 1857. He attacked the adjutant of his regiment on March 29,
1857 and later was executed.
After
Mangal Pandey was executed, it led to widespread fire amongst the peoples.
Revolt spread almost everywhere. Thus, by this way the spark of mutiny started
in India and later turned out to be the First war of Independence.
16. How did the
British cheat Hindus and Muslims with new rifle?
Ans.
The British were quite clever. They didn’t try to understand the Indian
customs. The new Enfield rifle needed to be loaded before using it. The problem
that prevailed was that the person who was using it needed to bite off the
cartilage. But the cartilage was made from the grease of pigs and cows. This
created a religious sentiment among the Hindus and the Muslims in India. By
this way, the British cheated Hindus and Muslims in India.
17. What was the
meaning of chapatti and Lotus in the fight?
Ans.
The meaning of chapatti was that it was sent to other villages and was
symbolised as support and the Emperor might ask for their services. Similarly,
Lotus was being circulated as a symbol of unity and support.
18. Discuss the
outbreak of the mutiny. Refer Bahadur Shah and others who joined the fight.
Ans.
As the British East India Company imposed heavy taxes and forced people to
leave their lands. The Santhals in Bengal became desperate. In the year of
1855, the Santhals revolted and massacred the Europeans and their supporters
alike. After the execution of Sepoy Mangal Pandey, there was a violent outbreak
at Meerut. Emperors like Bahadur Shah joined too and it was a widespread
movement.
19. What did Begum
Hazrat Mahal and Ahmedulla say against the British?
Ans.
Begum Hazrat Mahal was the former ruler of Lucknow. She told that her kingdom
was being taken away by the British. On the other hand, Maulvi Ahemedulla
raised power against British. He influenced people to join the movement. He
said, “Rise, brothers, rise!” He told the English people were ruining their lands.
20. Discuss the role
of Tatiya Tope, Nana Saheb and Kunwar Singh in the mutiny?
Ans.
Tatiya Tope played a significant role in the First Indian War of Independence. He
was an important ruler of Cawnpore. He decided to make Peshwa Nana Saheb as his
leader in the war of independence. Kunwar Singh, who was eighty years old
fought bravely and he was being shot a bullet on his wrist. He said to mother
Ganga that it was his last offering to her.