Social Science STD 8 Chapter 3: India's First War of Independence : Exercises

1. Write the answers of the following questions in one sentence:

1. 1. Who is considered to be the first martyr of 1857 AD War of Independence?

   Mangal Pandey is considered to be the first martyr of the 1857 AD War of Independence.

2. 2. Which policy was adopted by the British to break Hindu-Muslim unity in India?

   The British adopted the policy of 'divide and rule' to break Hindu-Muslim unity.

3. 3. Who put up tremendous resistance against the British in the Okhamandal region?

   Jodha Manek and Mulu Manek put up tremendous resistance against the British in the Okhamandal region.

4. 4. Which places of Gujarat were associated with the War of Independence of 1857 AD?

   Ahmedabad, Lunawada, Patan, Anand, Dwarka, Okha, Vijapur, Kheralu and Sabarkantha in Gujarat were associated with the War of Independence of 1857 AD.

2. (A) Write a short note:

1. 1. Economic reasons for the 1857 AD War of Independence

   The British economically exploited India severely, which became a major reason for the War of Independence of 1857. They destroyed India's foreign trade and wanted to turn India into a source of raw materials for their industries and a market for their finished goods. They forced Indians to produce crops like cotton and indigo, which were essential for them, leading to a decline in food grain production. The unjust customs policy ruined the peasantry, and India's traditional craft and rural industries were destroyed. Frequent droughts added to the people's suffering, leading to widespread famine. As a result, not only kings and landlords but also peasants and artisans participated in the war.

2. 2. Reasons for the failure of the 1857 AD War of Independence

   The First War of Independence of 1857 failed due to several reasons. Firstly, there was a lack of central leadership. Many leaders led the war at different places, but they were not united under a single command. The main leader, Bahadur Shah, was very old, and the kings and jagirdars were indisciplined. Secondly, the British had a superior military force with modern equipment, railways, and telegraph systems, which helped them suppress the struggle quickly. They also had a strong naval force. Lastly, most of the kings and rulers of states like Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Gwalior did not participate and some even supported the British. The educated and intellectuals also stayed away, preventing the war from spreading throughout the country. The British policy of 'divide and rule' also contributed to the failure.

(B) Write the answers of the following questions:

1. 1. Write a note on the reasons responsible for the War of Independence of 1857 AD.

   The 1857 War of Independence was caused by a combination of political, administrative, economic, socio-religious, and military reasons. Politically, the British aimed to establish their power, which began with the Battle of Plassey in 1757. They annexed many states using policies like the Doctrine of Lapse and stopped pensions of rulers, causing widespread discontent. Administratively, Indians were excluded from high posts, and the British imposed heavy taxes on the poor. Economically, they exploited India by turning it into a source of raw materials and a market for finished goods, destroying local industries. Socio-religiously, the British interfered with Indian customs, promoted Christianity, and levied taxes on religious institutions, creating resentment. The military reason was the exploitative policy towards Indian soldiers, who received low salaries and were denied promotions. The immediate cause was the rumor that the new Enfield rifle cartridges were coated with cow and pig fat, which deeply offended the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

2. 2. Lack of central leadership is the main reason for the failure of 1857 AD War of Independence. Explain the statement.

   The lack of a unified and central command was a critical reason for the failure of the 1857 War of Independence. The struggle was led by many different leaders in various regions, such as Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow, Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi, and Nanasaheb Peshwa in Kanpur. Each of these leaders fought independently for their own causes or regions. They were not willing to obey a single command, which led to mismanagement and indiscipline. The nominal leader, Bahadur Shah II, was very old and lacked the authority to lead effectively. This absence of a single, coordinated military strategy allowed the better-equipped and centrally commanded British forces to suppress the rebellion one by one.

3. 3. Write a detailed note about the form of the War of Independence of 1857 AD.

   The form of the 1857 War of Independence has been described differently by various historians. The British often called it a "mutiny of soldiers," while some Indians viewed it as a mass rebellion. British Prince Disraeli considered it a political and religious war, while Vinayak Damodar Savarkar called it "India's first War of Independence." The war was initiated by Indian soldiers due to the cartridge incident but quickly grew into a widespread rebellion involving a diverse group of people. Kings, landlords, jagirdars, women leaders like Rani Lakshmibai, tribals, peasants, and people from both Hindu and Muslim religions took part in the struggle. This collective participation showed that the war was not just a military mutiny but a broader movement aimed at challenging British rule, making it a source of inspiration for future national movements.

3. Find the correct option from the following options and write the correct answers:

1. 1. Which of the following is not a major centre of the War of Independence of 1857 AD?

   Chandigarh

2. 2. The person who merged many states into the British Empire through Doctrine of Lapse

   Dalhousie

3. 3. Which two animals fat did the soldiers suspect to have coated on the Enfield rifle cartridge?

   Cow-pig