Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its con

1.	Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the following : (a) Explain any three political causes of the Revolt of 1857. (b) Briefly explain the immediate cause of the Great Revolt. (c) State any four changes in the administration of the British Government as a consequence of the Revolt.
Answer» (a) Three political causes of the Revolt of 1857 : (i) Lord Dalhousie’s Policy of Annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse made the British very unpopular, the rulers of different states became bitter enemies of the British. (ii) The British refused to grant pension to Nana Sahib, as he was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. This act of the British turned Nana Sahib into a strong enemy of the British. (iii) In 1849, Lord Dalhousie announced that after Bahadur Shah, his successor would not be permitted to use the Red Fort as their palace. In 1856, Lord Canning announced that Bahadur Shah’s successor will not be allowed to use the imperial titles with their names. This enraged the Muslims, consequently, Bahadur Shah began plotting conspiracy against the British. (b) The immediate cause of the Great Revolt was the introduction of Enfield rifles in the army because to load the rifle, the sepoys had to bite the cartridge open to release the powder. The grease used on these cartridges was rumored to be made of beef and pork fat, which enraged the Hindus and the Muslims. Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier, revolted by firing at the British officer and sparked the Great Revolt. (c) Four changes in administration of the British Government as a consequence of the Revolt : (i) The control of the Indian Government was finally assumed by the British Crown. The Governor General received a new title of Viceroy. The assumption of the Government of India by the Sovereign of Great Britain was announced by Lord Canning at a Darbar held at Allahabad in proclamation issued on 1st November, 1858, in the name of the Queen. (ii) The Army which participated in the outbreak was thoroughly reorganized, and for the next fifty years, the idea of division and counterpoise dominated the British Military Policy regarding India. (iii) The British Government now took up a new attitude towards the Indian states. The Act of 1858 ended Dualism in the control of Indian affairs and made the Crown directly responsible for the management of Indian affairs. (iv) The administrative bodies of the Company, namely, the Board of Control and their powers were abolished and these powers were transferred to a British Cabinet Minister known as the Secretary of State.

Numerous causes gave rise to the First War of Independence and its consequences led to several changes in the British Government in India. In this context, answer the following : (a) Explain any three political causes of the Revolt of 1857. (b) Briefly explain the immediate cause of the Great Revolt. (c) State any four changes in the administration of the British Government as a consequence of the Revolt.

Answer»

(a) Three political causes of the Revolt of 1857 :

(i) Lord Dalhousie’s Policy of Annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse made the British very unpopular, the rulers of different states became bitter enemies of the British.

(ii) The British refused to grant pension to Nana Sahib, as he was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. This act of the British turned Nana Sahib into a strong enemy of the British.

(iii) In 1849, Lord Dalhousie announced that after Bahadur Shah, his successor would not be permitted to use the Red Fort as their palace. In 1856, Lord Canning announced that Bahadur Shah’s successor will not be allowed to use the imperial titles with their names. This enraged the Muslims, consequently, Bahadur Shah began plotting conspiracy against the British. (b) The immediate cause of the Great Revolt was the introduction of Enfield rifles in the army because to load the rifle, the sepoys had to bite the cartridge open to release the powder. The grease used on these cartridges was rumored to be made of beef and pork fat, which enraged the Hindus and the Muslims. Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier, revolted by firing at the British officer and sparked the Great Revolt.

(i) The control of the Indian Government was finally assumed by the British Crown. The Governor General received a new title of Viceroy. The assumption of the Government of India by the Sovereign of Great Britain was announced by Lord Canning at a Darbar held at Allahabad in proclamation issued on 1st November, 1858, in the name of the Queen.

(ii) The Army which participated in the outbreak was thoroughly reorganized, and for the next fifty years, the idea of division and counterpoise dominated the British Military Policy regarding India.

(iii) The British Government now took up a new attitude towards the Indian states. The Act of 1858 ended Dualism in the control of Indian affairs and made the Crown directly responsible for the management of Indian affairs.

(iv) The administrative bodies of the Company, namely, the Board of Control and their powers were abolished and these powers were transferred to a British Cabinet Minister known as the Secretary of State.

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