Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.
People during the company rule felt that their religious sentiments are systemically hurt by them government. For them it was an attack on their religious freedom, and an insult. The religious causes for the Revolt are as follows:
1.Immediate cause: The soldiers were given cartridge greased with cow and pig fat. This angered Moslems and Hindus alike.
2.Reforms by Company: The Company introduced many religious and social reformers. Many Indians began to believe that it was an attempt on the part the government to deviate them from their own religion. Important of such reforms were prevention of sati system, widow remarriage, etc.
3.Activities of Christian Missionaries: During company rule involved in spread of education. But local people looked upon them with suspicion. Thus, the people plunged in rebellion against the foreign rule.
What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?
Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars and zamindars to join the revolt?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
What did the rebels want? To what extent did the vision of different social groups differ?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What steps did the British take to quell the uprising?
What were the measures taken to ensure unity among the rebels?
Examine any two sources presented in the chapter, choosing one visual and one text, and discuss how these represent the point of view of the victor and the vanquished.
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
How did zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
What explains the anger of the Deccan ryots against Fig. 10.20 the moneylenders?
Why did the Santhals rebel against British rule?
Why were many zamindaris auctioned after the Permanent Settlement?
In what way was the livelihood of the Paharias different from that of the Santhals?
Examine how concerns of defence and health gave shape to Calcutta.
How did the American Civil War affect the lives of ryots in India?
What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
What are the problems of using official sources in writing about the history of peasants?
Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.
In what way did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the national movement?