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 are the different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
Why was the charkha chosen as a symbol of nationalism?
How did the American Civil War affect the lives of ryots in India?
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.
Why was British India partitioned?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
Why did the Santhals rebel against British rule?
Why is Partition viewed as an extremely significant marker in South Asian history?