Rebels and the Raj
Q) What was the cause of the sepoy mutiny at Meerut?
Answer: The sepoys were angered by the introduction of new Enfield rifles that they believed were greased with the fat of cows and pigs, which would defile their caste and religion.
Q) How did the mutiny spread?
Answer: News of the mutiny spread quickly to other cantonments, and sepoys in those places also rose up in rebellion. The rebels often targeted government buildings and symbols of British rule.
Q) Who were some of the leaders of the rebellion?
Answer: Bahadur Shah, the last Mughal emperor, became a symbol of the rebellion, although he was initially reluctant to join it. Other leaders included Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Sahib in Kanpur, and Kunwar Singh in Bihar.
Q) What were some of the reasons for the rebellion?
Answer: The sepoys were unhappy with low pay, poor treatment by British officers, and the introduction of new technologies and practices that they saw as threatening their traditions.
Many Indians resented the growing power and influence of the British in India, as well as the policies that they felt were unfair and exploitative.
Q) How did the British respond to the rebellion?
Answer: The British responded with brutal force, putting down the rebellion with violence and repression. They also implemented new policies designed to prevent future uprisings, such as disbanding the sepoy army and replacing it with a new army that was recruited from different parts of India and kept under stricter control.
Q) What were the long-term consequences of the rebellion?
Answer: The rebellion caused a major shift in British policy in India. The British became more cautious and less trusting of their Indian subjects, and they implemented a more centralized and authoritarian form of rule.
The rebellion also led to a growing sense of nationalism among Indians, and it is often seen as a turning point in the struggle for Indian independence.
Q) What was the role of rumors and prophecies in the rebellion?
Answer: Rumors and prophecies played a significant role in fueling the rebellion. The sepoys believed that the British were plotting to destroy their religion and culture, and they were easily swayed by rumors and prophecies that seemed to confirm their fears.
Q) Why did people believe in the rumors and prophecies?
Answer: The rumors and prophecies resonated with the fears and anxieties of the people, who were already feeling resentful and suspicious of the British. The rumors provided a framework for understanding the events that were happening around them, and they gave people a sense of purpose and direction.
Q) What were the grievances of the taluqdars and peasants of Awadh?
Answer: The taluqdars of Awadh were dispossessed of their land and power by the British, and they were also forced to pay higher taxes. The peasants of Awadh were also burdened with heavy taxes, and they were often subjected to harsh treatment by British officials.
Q) What did the rebels want?
Answer: The rebels had different goals, but they were generally united in their desire to overthrow British rule and restore a more traditional way of life. They wanted to protect their religion and culture, and they were also hoping to improve their economic and social conditions.
Q) How did the British portray the rebels in their visual representations?
Answer: The British depicted the rebels as savage, barbaric, and demonized them in order to justify the brutal repression of the rebellion.
Q) What role did images and news reports play in the public's desire for vengeance?
Answer: Images and news reports fueled the public's anger and shock, leading to a widespread demand for revenge against the rebels.
Q) How were executions used by the British to instill fear?
Answer: Executions were public spectacles designed to be brutal and intimidating, serving as a warning to others and demonstrating British power.
Q) How did Governor General Canning's views on punishment differ from the public's?
Answer: Canning advocated for moderation and clemency, but his views were met with ridicule and accusations of weakness.
Q) What message did the cartoon "The British Lion's Vengeance on the Bengal Tiger" convey?
Answer: This cartoon depicted the British as a powerful lion crushing the rebellion, represented by the Bengal tiger, symbolizing the triumph of British power.
Q) How did the Indian nationalist movement use the Sepoy Mutiny in its narrative?
Answer: The nationalists portrayed the Mutiny as the First War of Independence, highlighting the bravery of figures like Rani Lakshmibai and inspiring future generations to fight for freedom.
Q) What was the significance of the image "Miss Wheeler defending herself"?
Answer: This image symbolized British resistance against the rebels and the need to protect Christianity.
Q) How did the allegory of "Justice" in the Punch cartoon depict the British response to the rebellion?
Answer: "Justice" portrayed a vengeful figure trampling rebels, symbolizing the desire for retribution and punishment.
Q) How did the nationalist movement portray Rani Lakshmibai?
Answer: Rani Lakshmibai was depicted as a heroic figure who bravely fought against the British, inspiring future generations with her courage and defiance.
Q) What was the overall impact of the British representation of the Sepoy Mutiny?
Answer: The British representation of the Mutiny helped to justify their actions and demonize the rebels, but it also fueled the growth of nationalist sentiment in India, ultimately leading to their independence.
