Class 8 History Chapter 5 Notes PDF Download
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to study Class 8 History Chapter 5, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with detailed notes on this chapter, which covers the topic of When People Rebel: 1857 and After. You will learn about how various sections of Indian society rose up against British rule in 1857, what were their causes and motives, how they fought and what were their outcomes. This chapter is important to understand one of the most significant events in Indian history, which had far-reaching consequences for both India and Britain.
Introduction
Class 8 History Chapter 5 deals with one of the most remarkable episodes in Indian history, which is known as the Revolt of 1857 or the First War of Independence. This was a widespread uprising against British rule that broke out in May 1857 and lasted for more than a year. It involved various sections of Indian society, such as nawabs, rajas, peasants, zamindars, sepoys, artisans, traders, religious leaders and others. They had different grievances and aspirations, but they shared a common enemy in the form of British East India Company, which had been expanding its control over India since mid-eighteenth century. The revolt was sparked by a rumour that new cartridges issued to Indian sepoys were greased with cow and pig fat, which offended their religious sentiments. However, this was only a trigger for a deeper discontent that had been brewing for a long time due to various political, economic, social and religious policies imposed by British rule.
class 8 history chapter 5 notes pdf download
Policies and People
Nawabs lose their power
One of the groups that participated in revolt were nawabs and rajas who had lost their authority and honor under British rule. Since mid-eighteenth century, British East India Company had been following a policy of annexing Indian states through various means such as war, treaty, subsidiary alliance or doctrine of lapse. Subsidiary alliance meant that an Indian ruler had to accept British troops in his territory and pay for their maintenance. Doctrine of lapse meant that if an Indian ruler died without a male heir, his state would be taken over by the Company. Many Indian states such as Awadh, Jhansi, Nagpur, Satara and others were annexed by these methods. The nawabs and rajas who were reduced to puppets or pensioners felt humiliated and angry at the loss of their sovereignty and dignity. Some of them, such as Nana Saheb of Bithur, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur, joined the revolt and fought bravely against the British.
The peasants and the sepoys
Another group that participated in the revolt were peasants and zamindars who suffered under the oppressive revenue system of the British. The Company had introduced a permanent settlement in Bengal and Bihar, which fixed the revenue demand on the land and gave zamindars the right to collect it from the peasants. However, this also meant that if the zamindars failed to pay the revenue on time, their lands would be auctioned off by the Company. Many zamindars lost their lands due to this system and became indebted. The peasants also faced high taxes and rigid revenue collection, which forced them to borrow money from moneylenders at exorbitant rates of interest. They also faced eviction, confiscation and imprisonment if they could not pay their dues. Many peasants and zamindars resented this exploitation and supported the revolt.
The sepoys were Indian soldiers who were employed by the British East India Company to fight its wars in India and abroad. They formed the bulk of the rebel forces in 1857. They had many grievances against their British officers, such as low pay, poor conditions, racial discrimination and lack of promotion opportunities. They also felt that their religious beliefs and customs were being violated by the British, who tried to impose their culture and values on them. For example, they were forbidden to wear caste marks or turbans, they were forced to travel overseas which was considered a sin by many Hindus, they were made to use new cartridges which were rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat which was offensive to both Hindus and Muslims. These factors led to a sense of discontent and disloyalty among the sepoys, who rose up in rebellion when they heard that some of their comrades had been punished for refusing to use the new cartridges.
Responses to reforms
A third group that participated in the revolt were those who opposed the British attempts to reform Indian society and religion. The British believed that they had a civilizing mission in India and that they had to educate, modernize and Christianize the Indians. They introduced English education, western science, law and medicine in India. They also passed laws that interfered with Indian customs and traditions, such as banning sati (the practice of widow immolation), allowing widow remarriage, abolishing female infanticide and child marriage. They also supported Christian missionaries who tried to convert Indians to Christianity. Many Indians felt that these reforms were an attack on their culture, religion and identity. They feared that they would lose their caste status, their ancestral property and their faith if they accepted British rule. They also resented the arrogance and intolerance of the British, who looked down upon them as inferior and backward. Some of them, such as Maulvi Ahmadullah of Faizabad, Nana Saheb's advisor Azimullah Khan and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, used religion as a rallying point to mobilize people against British rule.
A Mutiny Becomes a Popular Rebellion
The outbreak of the rebellion
The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 at Meerut, where 85 sepoys of the 3rd Native Cavalry refused to use the new cartridges and were court-martialled and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. The next day, their fellow sepoys broke into open revolt, killed their British officers, freed their comrades and marched towards Delhi. There they were joined by other sepoys from nearby cantonments and by local people who attacked British officials, traders and civilians. They reached Delhi on 11 May 1857 and captured the city after a fierce battle with the British troops stationed there.
The rebels then proclaimed Bahadur Shah Zafar, the aged Mughal emperor who lived in Delhi as a pensioner of the Company, as their leader and asked him to bless their cause. Bahadur Shah Zafar agreed to do so reluctantly, as he had no real power or authority over them. He issued a proclamation calling upon all Indians to rise up against British rule and restore his empire.
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The role of Bahadur Shah Zafar
Bahadur Shah Zafar was chosen by the rebels as their leader because he was the symbolic representative of the Mughal dynasty, which had once ruled over most of India. He was also respected by both Hindus and Muslims as a religious and cultural figure. He was a poet, a scholar and a patron of arts and learning. He had his own court and nobility, who supported his claim to the throne. He also had some influence over other Indian rulers and chiefs, who acknowledged him as their nominal sovereign.
However, Bahadur Shah Zafar was also a weak and old man, who had no real control over the rebels or their actions. He was dependent on the advice and guidance of his sons, his courtiers and his commanders, who often had conflicting interests and agendas. He was also under constant pressure from the British, who threatened to destroy his family and his city if he did not surrender. He tried to negotiate with the British, but they refused to accept his terms. He also tried to maintain some order and discipline among the rebels, but they did not listen to him. He was unable to unify the diverse and dispersed rebel forces under a common strategy or leadership.
The course of the rebellion
The rebellion spread rapidly from Delhi to other parts of northern and central India, such as Kanpur, Lucknow, Bareilly, Jhansi, Gwalior, Allahabad, Agra, Meerut, Patna and Arrah. It also reached some parts of western and southern India, such as Bombay, Pune, Kolhapur, Hyderabad and Madras. However, it did not affect some regions such as Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat and most of south India, where the British had loyal allies or where the local population did not join the revolt.
The rebels had different leaders in different regions, who fought with courage and determination against the British. Some of the most prominent leaders were:
NameRegionRole
Nana SahebKanpurThe adopted son of Baji Rao II, the last Peshwa of the Maratha confederacy. He led the revolt in Kanpur and massacred many British civilians and soldiers. He later escaped to Nepal.
Rani LakshmibaiJhansiThe widow of Gangadhar Rao, the ruler of Jhansi. She resisted the British annexation of her state under the doctrine of lapse. She fought bravely against the British in Jhansi and Gwalior. She died in battle in 1858.
Tantia TopeGwaliorThe general and friend of Nana Saheb. He helped Rani Lakshmibai in defending Jhansi and later captured Gwalior from the British ally Scindia. He was captured and executed by the British in 1859.
Begum Hazrat MahalLucknowThe wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, who had been deposed by the British. She led the revolt in Lucknow and declared her son Birjis Qadir as the new nawab. She later fled to Nepal.
Maulvi AhmadullahFaizabadA religious leader who proclaimed himself as a mujahid (holy warrior) against the British. He mobilized people from various castes and communities to join the revolt. He was killed in battle in 1858.
Kunwar SinghJagdishpurA zamindar from Bihar who led a guerrilla war against the British in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. He was wounded in battle and died in 1858.
Bahadur KhanBareillyA relative of the former nawab of Rohilkhand. He led the revolt in Bareilly and declared himself as the new nawab. He was defeated by the British in 1858.
Tatya TopeNagpurA sepoy from Nagpur who joined Nana Saheb's army in Kanpur. He later led a revolt in Nagpur and captured it from the British ally Raghoji III Bhonsle. He was captured and executed by the British in 1859.
The rebels fought against the British forces using various tactics such as siege, assault, ambush, guerrilla warfare and propaganda. They also tried to form alliances with other rebel groups or local rulers. However, they faced many challenges such as lack of coordination, communication, resources, discipline and leadership. They also faced the superior military strength, technology and organization of the British, who received reinforcements from Britain and other parts of India. The British also used a policy of divide and rule, by exploiting the differences and rivalries among the rebels and by winning over some Indian rulers and chiefs who remained loyal to them or who switched sides for their own interests.
Aftermath of the Rebellion
The recapture of Delhi
The British considered Delhi as the centre and symbol of the rebellion, as it was the seat of the Mughal emperor and the rallying point for many rebels. They decided to recapture it at any cost. They laid siege to the city in June 1857 and launched a series of attacks on it in September 1857. They faced stiff resistance from the rebels, who fought with courage and desperation. However, they were outnumbered and outgunned by the British, who had superior artillery and rifles. The British finally stormed into the city on 20 September 1857 and captured it after a week of fierce fighting.
The British then unleashed a wave of violence and vengeance on the city and its people. They killed thousands of rebels, suspected rebels and civilians, without any mercy or discrimination. They looted, burned and destroyed many buildings, monuments and places of worship. They also arrested Bahadur Shah Zafar and his sons, who had taken refuge in Humayun's tomb. They tried them in a military court and found them guilty of treason and murder. They executed two of his sons and one grandson in public, and exiled Bahadur Shah Zafar to Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar), where he died in 1862.
The end of the Company's rule
The rebellion exposed the weaknesses and failures of the British East India Company's rule in India. It also shocked and outraged the British public and government, who blamed the Company for mismanaging India and provoking the rebellion. They decided to end the Company's rule and take over India directly under the crown. They passed an act in 1858, which abolished the Company's powers and transferred them to a secretary of state for India, who was responsible to the British parliament. They also appointed a viceroy as the representative of the queen in India, who had supreme authority over all matters related to India.
The British also introduced several changes in the administration and policies of India after the rebellion. Some of these changes were:
They reorganized the army, by reducing the number of Indian sepoys, increasing the number of British soldiers, separating the European and Indian units, diversifying the recruitment base and ensuring loyalty through rewards and punishments.
They reformed the civil service, by opening it to competitive examinations, increasing the salaries and perks of officials, ensuring impartiality and efficiency in administration and creating a class of loyal Indian collaborators.
They revised the revenue system, by abolishing or modifying some of the oppressive taxes and revenue demands, introducing new crops such as tea, coffee, cotton and jute, encouraging irrigation and railways projects and promoting commercialization of agriculture.
They adopted a policy of non-interference in Indian social and religious affairs, by respecting Indian customs and traditions, avoiding legislation on controversial issues such as widow remarriage or caste discrimination, discouraging missionary activities and granting religious freedom and equality to all Indians.
They pursued a policy of divide and rule, by creating and exploiting differences among Indians on the basis of religion, caste, region, language and ethnicity, fostering communalism and separatism, favoring some groups over others and suppressing any signs of nationalism or unity among Indians.
The impact of the rebellion
The rebellion of 1857 had a profound impact on the relations between the British and Indians. It marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. It had both positive and negative consequences for both sides. Some of these consequences were:
It shattered the myth of British invincibility and superiority in India. It showed that the British could be challenged and defeated by Indians, who had the courage and the will to fight for their rights and dignity. It also exposed the corruption, oppression and injustice of British rule in India.
It awakened a sense of nationalism and patriotism among Indians. It inspired many Indians to resist British rule and to strive for freedom and independence. It also created a sense of solidarity and brotherhood among Indians, who realized that they had a common enemy and a common destiny. It also gave rise to new leaders, thinkers and movements, who shaped the course of Indian history in the coming years.
It hardened the attitudes and policies of the British towards Indians. It made them more suspicious, hostile and ruthless towards Indians, who they regarded as ungrateful, treacherous and barbaric. It also made them more determined to consolidate their rule and to exploit India for their own interests. It also widened the gap and reduced the interaction between the British and Indians, who lived in separate worlds.
It changed the nature and character of British rule in India. It transformed India from a colony of a trading company to a colony of a powerful empire. It also brought India under the direct control and supervision of the British parliament and crown, who had more authority and responsibility over India. It also introduced new laws, institutions and policies that affected every aspect of Indian life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Class 8 History Chapter 5 Notes PDF Download is a useful resource for students who want to learn about one of the most important events in Indian history, which is the rebellion of 1857. This chapter explains how various sections of Indian society rose up against British rule in 1857, what were their causes and motives, how they fought and what were their outcomes. This chapter also helps students to understand how this rebellion changed the course of Indian history and how it influenced the future of India and Britain.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers related to Class 8 History Chapter 5 Notes PDF Download:
What was the immediate cause of the rebellion of 1857?The immediate cause of the rebellion was a rumour that new cartridges issued to Indian sepoys were greased with cow and pig fat, which offended their religious sentiments.
Who was chosen by the rebels as their leader?The rebels chose Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal emperor, as their leader and asked him to bless their cause.
What were some of the prominent centres and leaders of the rebellion?Some of the prominent centres of the rebellion were Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gwalior, Bareilly, Patna and Arrah. Some of the prominent leaders were Nana Saheb, Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Maulvi Ahmadullah, Kunwar Singh, Bahadur Khan and Tatya Tope.
What was the outcome of the rebellion?The rebellion was ultimately suppressed by the British, who recaptured Delhi and other rebel centres, executed or exiled many rebel leaders and restored their authority. The rebellion also led to the end of the Company's rule and the transfer of India to the British crown.
What was the impact of the rebellion?The rebellion had a profound impact on the relations between the British and Indians. It shattered the myth of British invincibility and superiority, awakened a sense of nationalism and patriotism among Indians, hardened the attitudes and policies of the British towards Indians and changed the nature and character of British rule in India.
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