Chapter 3: Glimpses of the Past
Chapter Summary
This chapter presents a pictorial history of India from 1757 to 1857, outlining the key events that led to the First War of Independence. It is divided into several sections.
1. The Martyrs: The chapter opens by paying homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country.
2. The Company’s Conquests (1757–1849): It shows how the British East India Company expanded its power in India. With their superior weapons and clever political tactics like "divide and rule," they gradually defeated Indian princes, who were often busy fighting among themselves. The British were initially seen as helpers by some rulers, but they eventually took control of their territories.
3. British Rule (1765–1836): This section highlights the negative impact of British rule. Indians faced religious prejudice, and social evils like untouchability and child marriage were prevalent. The British imposed heavy taxes on farmers, leading to widespread poverty and famines. Indian industries were destroyed as the British imported their own goods tax-free, crippling local artisans.
4. Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833): It introduces Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a learned social reformer from Bengal. He understood that India's society had deep-rooted problems. He preached against superstitions, advocated for modern education and science, and travelled to England to see what made the British powerful. He is remembered for starting newspapers to voice the public's grievances.
5. Oppression (1765–1835): The British continued their oppressive policies. Under Regulation III of 1818, Indians could be jailed without trial. British officers earned huge salaries while their private businesses flourished, exploiting India's resources. By 1829, Britain was exporting goods worth seven crore rupees to India, ruining Indian businesses.
6. Dissatisfaction (1835–1856): Discontent grew among Indians. Lord Macaulay's educational reforms aimed to create a class of Indian clerks who would serve the British, and English replaced Persian as the official language. The British agenda was to produce clerks, not to genuinely educate Indians. This, combined with attempts to convert people to Christianity, made Indians feel that the British were trying to destroy their culture and religion.
7. The Sparks (1855–1857): The anger finally boiled over. The Santhals in Bengal rebelled against their landlords and the British. In the army, Indian sepoys were discontented due to low pay and discriminatory policies. The introduction of new rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat was the final spark. It offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers, like Mangal Pandey, who attacked British officers and was executed.
8. Revolt (1857): The rebellion spread. Sepoys marched to Delhi and proclaimed the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, as their leader. The revolt engulfed large parts of North India, with landlords who had lost their lands joining the fight. Leaders like Begum Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow and many others joined the struggle.
9. The Fight for Freedom (1857): The chapter ends by showing the widespread nature of the First War of Independence. Many former rulers like Kunwar Singh of Bihar joined the fight against the British, marking a major, united effort to drive them out of India.
Working with the Text
Answer the following questions.
1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?
Answer: Yes, the Indian princes were extremely short-sighted. They were busy fighting each other and often sought help from the British East India Company to defeat their rivals. They failed to see the larger danger of a foreign power gaining a foothold in India and did not understand the British policy of "divide and rule."
2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?
Answer: The East India Company subdued the Indian princes using a combination of superior weaponry and clever diplomacy. They took advantage of the internal rivalries among the princes, helping one ruler against another and gradually expanding their own influence and territory. They fought wars and imposed treaties that gave them more and more control.
3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.
Answer: The words used by Ram Mohan Roy were: “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have different opinions, but the essence of every religion is the same.”
4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
Answer: The British officers exploited Indians in several ways:
- They imposed heavy taxes on farmers, often forcing them to abandon their lands.
- They ruined Indian industries, especially the textile industry, by importing tax-free British goods.
- They passed laws, like Regulation III of 1818, that allowed them to imprison Indians without a trial.
- They drew huge salaries and also made fortunes through their private businesses.
5. Name these people.
(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.
(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (choices may vary).
Answer:
(i) Answer: Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
(ii) Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal.
(iii) Answer: Lord Macaulay.
(iv) Answer: Mangal Pandey and Kunwar Singh.
6. Mention the following.
(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.
(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.
(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Answer:
(i) Answer: Two social practices were untouchability and child marriage.
(ii) Answer: The British could imprison Indians without trial under Regulation III of 1818, and they imported British goods into India tax-free, destroying local industries.
(iii) Answer: The common people suffered from heavy taxes imposed by the British, which led to many farmers losing their lands. They also suffered as their local industries and businesses were ruined by the import of cheaper British goods.
(iv) Answer: Four reasons for the discontent were:
a. Indian sepoys in the British army were paid very little and treated unfairly.
b. Heavy taxes ruined the farmers.
c. The British were destroying Indian industries.
d. The introduction of rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat offended the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
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