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Class 12 History Notes Chapter 11

Rebels and the Raj The Revolt of 1857

and its Representations

February 18, 2017 by Bhagya

Class 12 History Notes Chapter 11 Rebels and

the Raj The Revolt of 1857 and its

Representations

• Since the mid-18th century, Nawabs and Rajas had gradually lost their power and
authority. Their freedom was curtailed, their armed forces were disbanded and their
revenues and territories were taken away.
• Many ruling families such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi tried to negotiate with the
company to protect their interest but they did not get success.
• Now the company began to plan to bring an end to the Mughal Dynasty. To make this plan
successful the company took several measures.
• The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the Company.
• In 1849, it was announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the family of the
king would be shifted out of the Red Fort and given another place in Delhi to reside in.
• In 1856, the Company decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king,
and after his death his descendants would be called princes.
• In the countryside peasants and zamindars resented the high taxes and the rigid methods of
revenue collection.
• The Indian sepoys were unhappy about their pay, allowances and condition of service.
Some of the Company’s rules even violated their religious sentiments. Thus, everywhere
there spread discontentment.
• The responses to the reforms brought in the Indian society by the British were also not
positive, although some reforms were essential.
• The Company passed laws to stop the practice of sati.
• English-language education was promoted.
• In 1850, a new law was passed to make conversion to Christianity easier.
• Some Indians thought that the British were destroying their religion and their social
customs while some wanted to change existing social practices.
• By and by the people began to view the British as their common enemy and therefore they
rose up against this enemy at the same time.
• In May, 1857 a massive rebellion started that threatened the company’s very existence in
India.
• Sepoy mutinied in several places beginning from Meerut and a large number of people
from different sections of society rose up in rebellion.