What were the measures taken to ensure unity among the rebels?
A very important element of the revolt of 1857 was the unity shown by Hindus and Moslems in the struggle against the foreign rule. First the immediate cause of the rebellion was the use of cartridge greased with fat of cow and pig, angering Hindus and Moslems alike. After the rebels marched to Delhi, they declared the Mughal emperor Bahadurshah their all India leader. Thus, the Mughal emperor was the leader of Hindus and Muslems alike. Both Hindus and Muslims respected each others’ religious sentiments. Whenever a new area fell into the control of rebels, cow slaughter was made illegal to respect Hindu sentiments. Thus, Hindu-Muslim unity was the hallmark of the mutiny.
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?
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.
Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.
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 were the concerns that influenced town planning in the nineteenth century?
How did ordinary people view Partition?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
Why did the salt laws become an important issue of struggle?
How did the Congress come to change its views on Partition?
Examine the strengths and limitations of oral history. How have oral-history techniques furthered our understanding of Partition?
On an outline map of India, trace the major rivers and hill ranges. Plot ten cities mentionedin the chapter, including Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, and prepare a brief note on why the importance of any two cities that you have marked (one colonial and one pre-colonial) changed in the nineteenth century.