ICSE – Grade 10 – History – Ch 01 – QA

Case Study 1:
 The British introduced the Enfield rifle cartridges, rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat. This created deep unrest among the Indian sepoys.
 Question: Why did the introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges provoke such strong opposition from Indian soldiers?
 Answer: The cartridges were believed to be greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments, as cows are sacred to Hindus and pigs are considered unclean by Muslims. This religious insensitivity sparked widespread anger among sepoys, contributing directly to the outbreak of the rebellion.

Case Study 2:
 Bahadur Shah II was declared the Emperor by the rebels during the uprising in Delhi.
 Question: What role did Bahadur Shah II play in the First War of Independence?
 Answer: Although Bahadur Shah II was a symbolic figurehead with little real power, his acceptance as Emperor gave the rebellion a unifying rallying point and legitimacy, especially in Delhi. However, he was later captured and exiled, marking the end of Mughal rule.

Case Study 3:
 Nana Saheb led the revolt in Kanpur but later faced defeat.
 Question: What were the reasons behind Nana Saheb’s leadership in the revolt and what was his fate?
 Answer: Nana Saheb was aggrieved by the British policy of denying him his adopted father’s pension, fueling his leadership in the Kanpur uprising. Despite initial success, British forces recaptured Kanpur, and Nana Saheb disappeared, with his exact fate unknown.

Case Study 4:
 The policy of Subsidiary Alliance forced Indian princely states to accept British troops within their territory.
 Question: How did the Subsidiary Alliance contribute to political causes of the revolt?
 Answer: This policy undermined the sovereignty of princely states, making rulers dependent on the British and reducing their control, which bred resentment and distrust towards British authority, contributing to the political causes of the uprising.

Case Study 5:
 The doctrine of lapse allowed the British to annex states without a natural heir.
 Question: Why was the doctrine of lapse resented by Indian rulers?
 Answer: It violated traditional inheritance laws and was seen as aggressive annexation. Many rulers, like those of Satara and Jhansi, lost their kingdoms, fostering bitterness and motivating participation in the rebellion.

Case Study 6:
 The British ignored Indian social customs and attempted to impose western education and religion.
 Question: How did socio-religious interference contribute to the revolt?
 Answer: The British interference with customs, religious practices, and the activities of Christian missionaries caused fear and resentment, as Indians saw their culture and traditions under threat, creating widespread unrest.

Case Study 7:
 Economic exploitation by the British led to widespread poverty and distress.
 Question: What economic factors contributed to the First War of Independence?
 Answer: Heavy taxation, drain of wealth to Britain, decline of cottage industries, poverty, famines, and the oppression of peasants and indigo cultivators created widespread economic hardship that fueled anger against British rule.

Case Study 8:
 Indian soldiers were paid less than their British counterparts and had limited promotion prospects.
 Question: What military grievances contributed to the revolt?
 Answer: Indian soldiers faced ill-treatment, lower pay, bleak promotion opportunities, and were forced to serve abroad against their wishes. These factors led to dissatisfaction and ultimately rebellion within the army ranks.

Case Study 9:
 The Siege of Lucknow was one of the longest and bloodiest episodes of the rebellion.
 Question: What was the significance of the Siege of Lucknow?
 Answer: The siege showcased the determination of both the British defenders and Indian rebels. It became a symbol of the ferocity of the uprising and British resilience, and its eventual relief was a turning point in the suppression of the rebellion.

Case Study 10:
 The British introduced the policy of Divide and Rule after suppressing the revolt.
 Question: Why did the British adopt the Divide and Rule policy post-1857?
 Answer: To prevent future united uprisings, the British fostered divisions between communities, especially Hindus and Muslims, ensuring easier control over India by exploiting religious and social differences.

Case Study 11:
 The Mughal Empire ended after the rebellion.
 Question: What happened to the Mughal dynasty following the revolt?
 Answer: After the rebellion, Bahadur Shah II was exiled, the Mughal Empire was formally ended, and India was brought under direct Crown rule, ending centuries of Mughal sovereignty.

Case Study 12:
 British racial superiority attitudes increased after the revolt.
 Question: How did the First War of Independence affect racial relations in India?
 Answer: The revolt hardened British racial attitudes, leading to increased discrimination and segregation policies, intensifying racial antagonism and oppression of Indians.

Case Study 13:
 The British Crown issued Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1858.
 Question: What was the significance of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation?
 Answer: It marked the end of East India Company rule, promising to respect Indian princes, uphold justice, and maintain religious tolerance, aiming to pacify Indians and stabilize governance.

Case Study 14:
 Rani Lakshmibai fought bravely at Jhansi during the uprising.
 Question: Why is Rani Lakshmibai remembered as a hero of the 1857 revolt?
 Answer: She symbolized resistance against British annexation and fought valiantly to defend Jhansi, becoming an enduring icon of patriotism and courage.

Case Study 15:
 Indigo cultivators were subjected to harsh conditions.
 Question: How did the plight of indigo farmers contribute to the revolt?
 Answer: Exploitation by British planters led to unbearable conditions and debt for indigo farmers, fueling economic grievances that added to the broader discontent against British rule.

Case Study 16:
 The uprising began with sepoys refusing to use the new cartridges.
 Question: What was the immediate trigger of the revolt?
 Answer: The refusal to use the Enfield rifle cartridges, perceived as religiously offensive, led to mutiny by sepoys at Meerut in May 1857, marking the start of the widespread rebellion.

Case Study 17:
 The British administration was marked by corruption and oppression of the poor.
 Question: How did administrative corruption contribute to the revolt?
 Answer: Widespread corruption and oppressive revenue policies created mistrust and anger among Indians, undermining loyalty to the British government.

Case Study 18:
 The rebels captured Delhi early in the revolt.
 Question: What was the importance of Delhi in the First War of Independence?
 Answer: Delhi was the symbolic capital of the Mughal Empire. Its capture by rebels gave legitimacy to the revolt and a central focus under Bahadur Shah II.

Case Study 19:
 The British army’s poor performance early in the revolt revealed weaknesses.
 Question: How did military weaknesses contribute to the initial success of the revolt?
 Answer: Faulty troop distribution, low morale, and the large number of Indian soldiers in the army allowed the revolt to spread quickly and initially outmaneuver British forces.

Case Study 20:
 The rebellion widened the gulf between Hindus and Muslims.
 Question: How did the 1857 revolt affect Hindu-Muslim relations?
 Answer: Differences in participation and British exploitation of religious divisions deepened mistrust between the communities, sowing seeds of future communal tensions.