TOPIC # 4

TOPIC # 5

THE WAR OF INDEPEDENCE 1857

PAST PAPER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2000-2021

REVIEW ON PAST PAPERS QUESTIONS:

Question No. 1:

Briefly explain three reasons for the war of Independence of 1857.

(7)June 2000.Q.1 b

Question No. 2:

Was the introduction of the ‘Doctrine of lapse’ in 1852 the most important reasons for the war of Independence
in 1857? Explain your answer.
(14)June 2001 Q.1 c

Question No. 3:

Why did war of Independence of1857 fail?

(7)June 2002 Q, 2 b

Question No. 4:

The war of Independence of 1857 achieved nothing .Give reasons why you agree & disagree with this statement.
(14 )Nov. 2002 Q.1 c

Question No. 5:

The war of Independence of 1857 was caused by the Greased Cartridges incident. Give reasons why you might
agree & disagree with this statement.

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(14)June 2003 Q.1 c

Question No. 6:
A lack of unity & coordination was the main reason for the failure of the war of Independence by 1858 Do you
agree?
(14)June 2004 Q. 1 c

Question No 7:

The introduction of Social reforms by the British, such as education, caused the war of Independence in 187.’
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
(14)Nov. 2005 Q. 2 c

Question No. 8:
“The establishment of English as the official language of the sub continent in 1834 was the main reason for the
war of Independence of1857’ .Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer
(14)June 2007 Q. 2 c

Question No. 9:

Why did the war of Independence of1857 fail

(7)Nov.2007 Q.2 b

Question No. 10:

Religious factors were more important than any other in causing the war of independence of 1857-58. Do you
agree? Give reasons for your answer
(14)Nov.2008 Q.1 c

Question No. 11:

Explain the three reasons for the failure of the war of Independence 1857-1858.
(7) Nov 2009.Q.1 b

Question No. 12:

Was a lack of unity amongst the Indians the main reasons for the failure of the war of Independence 1857-58?
Explain your answer.

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(14 )June 2010 Q. 1 c

Question No. 13:

In 1857,a number of sepoys refused to use the new cartridges at Meerut ,near Delhi. The sepoys were given
long prison sentences and this led to a revolt in which their fellow sepoys marched on Delhi and massacred all
the British they could find. Things got worse for the British at Kanpur.
(a) What happened at the battle of Kanpur?
(4 )June 2011 Q. 2 a

Question No.14:

Did educational reforms have a more important effect on the Indians than the social, religious and economic
ones introduced by the British during the years 1773 to 1856? Explain your answer
(14) Nov.2011 Q.1 c

Question No.15:

Was the greased cartridges incident the most important cause of the war of independence of 1857? Explain
your answer.

(14) June 2012 Q.1 c

Question No.16:

Read the source below carefully to answer question (a).

Indians began to resent British control of the sub-continent, and in 1857 the British faced a serious challenge
to their control of India. For the British it was a revolt against their authority but for the Indians it was a revolt
to throw off foreign domination.
(a) Describe the events of the War of Independence, 1857–1858.
(4) June 2013 Q.2 a

Question No.17:
Why did the War of Independence fail to meet its aims in 1857?
(7) Nov.2013 Q.2 b

Question No.18:

“The strength of the British army was the sole reason for the failure of the War of Independence by 1858.” Do
you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

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(14) Nov.2014 Q. 1 c

Question No.19:
What happened at Cawnpore in 1857?
(4)June 2016 Q.2 a

Question No.20:

Who was Nana Sahib?

(4) oct 2016 Q. 2 a
QUESTION NO. 21-
SOURCE
A
The Indian cotton industry
At first the East India Company and the British Parliament discouraged Indian production of cotton goods in
order to encourage the growing cotton industry in Great Britain. British policy developed during the nineteenth
century to allow Indian people to grow raw cotton in order to supply material for the cotton factories of Great
Britain. Orders were sent out to force Indian skilled workers to work in the East India Company’s factories. The
East India Company was given legal powers to control production in the villages and communities of Indian
weavers. Very high tariffs excluded Indian silks and cotton goods from Great Britain but British goods were
admitted into India free of duty.
From The Economic History of India under Early British Rule by R.C. Dutt

According to Source A, what difficulties did the Indian cotton industry face during the
nineteenth century?

SOURCE B
A railway accident in India in the nineteenth century

How does Source B help us to understand Indian concerns about the building of railways in India
during the nineteenth century?

May June 2017 Q.No. 1 B 5 marks

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QUESTION NO. 22-

Why did the British build railways in India during the nineteenth century?
May June 2017 Q.No. 1 C 7 marks

QUESTION NO. 23-

Was an absence of leadership the main reason why the War of Independence in 1857 failed? Explain your
answer.
May June 2017 Q.No. 1 D 10 marks

QUESTION NO. 24-

Who were the Thuggee?

Oct Nov 2017 Q. No. 2 A 4 marks
QUESTION NO. 25-

Was religion the most important reason for the War of Independence in 1857? Give reasons for your
answer.
May June 2018 Q. 2 c 14 marks
QUESTION NO. 26:
Why did the War of Independence of 1857 not succeed?
May June 2019 Q. 3 B 7 Marks
QUESTION NO. 29:
To what extent were the outcomes of the War of Independence beneficial for India? Explain your answer.
May June 2021 Q. 3 B 7 Marks

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

QUESTION NO. 1:-
Briefly explain three reasons for the war of Independence of 1857.
7 marks June 2000.Q.1 b

The East India Company was formed with the help of Indian soldiers. Instead of giving them due credit,
the Indian soldiers were made victims of ridicule. Disregarding the fact that the Indian soldiers were efficient,
the British officials paid them poorly. Indian soldiers who had formerly held high offices in the times of the
native princes found themselves in low ranks. All the higher ranks were reserved for white men irrespective of
their capacity to perform. The futures of the soldier were doomed and bleak. There was no hope of receiving
any allowance also. The sepoys were unhappy as they were for the most of the times sent overseas to fight,
which was not desirable at all. There was no retirement age. The bitter feeling and anger reached its highest
point with the emergence of the Enfield Rifles. The cartridges of these rifles were greased with cow and pig fats.
The sepoys had to remove the cartridge with their teeth before loading them into the rifles. Both the Hindus
and Muslims were discontented. Hindus consider cow sacred and Muslims considered pigs as HARAM. Thus,
both refused to use this cartridge and they were disharmony everywhere.

Lord Dalhousie's policy of annexation caused uproar among the people of India. The last Peshwa, Baji Rao's
adopted son Nana Sahib was deprived of the pension his father was receiving. Rani Laxmi Bai's adopted son was
not given the throne after the death of his father. To make matters worse Lord Dalhousie announced in 1849
that Bahadur Shah Zafar will not be allowed to stay in the Red Fort anymore and they were compelled to move
to a place near Qutab Minar. To further worsen the situation Lord Canning announced in 1856 that with the
demise of Bahadur Shah Zafar, his successor will not be allowed to use the title "king".

The introduction of western innovations had unsettled the minds of the ignorant people. The spread of English
education, the construction of railways and telegraph lines, legislation for the suppression of sati and the
remarriage of the widows engendered a belief that the British were determined to convert the people to
Christianity. The introduction of railways was resented on the ground that people of all castes would have to
travel in the same compartments. The common people did not appreciate these changes. They looked upon
them as foreign innovations designed to break down the social order to which they were accustomed and which
they considered sacred.

QUESTION NO. 2:-

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Was the introduction of the ‘Doctrine of lapse’ in 1852 the most important reasons for the war of
Independence in 1857? Explain your answer.
14 marks June 2001 Q.1 c

BEST ANSWER on REASONS FOR WOI (Rewrite it):

The introduction of doctrine of lapse was one of the important reasons for the WOI. According to that In 1852
Governor General Dalhousie extended British control by applying Doctrine of Lapse which was that when a ruler
died without a natural heir, the British would annex his lands. Due to this Satare, Nagpur and Jhansi came to
British hands. Nawab of Oudh died in 1856 and he had the natural heir but instead of that his land was grabbed
by the British.

To make matters worse Lord Dalhousie announced in 1849 that Bahadur Shah Zafar will not be allowed to stay
in the Red Fort anymore and they were compelled to move to a place near Qutab Minar. To further worsen the
situation Lord Canning announced in 1856 that with the demise of Bahadur Shah Zafar, his successor will not
be allowed to use the title "king". The myth about the superiority of the British was shattered when they were
badly beaten in the first Afghan War. Besides that there was a rumor floated around that with the end of the
Revolt of 1857 the British Raj would come to an end. This rumor created from the fact that the battle of Plassey
in 1757 brought about British power and with 1857 a century would be completed which will mark the end of
British rule.

But the bitter feeling and anger reached its highest point with the emergence of the Enfield Rifles. The
cartridges of these rifles were greased with cow and pig fats. The sepoys had to remove the cartridge with
their teeth before loading them into the rifles. Both the Hindus and Muslims were discontented .Hindus
considered cow sacred and Muslims consider pigs as HARAM. Thus, both refused to use this cartridge and they
were disharmony everywhere. That remained the most important reason for WOI.

Moreover, Indians were suspicion that they would be converted to Christianity under the new regime. The fear
was largely due to the activities of some of the activities of some Christian missionaries who openly ridiculed
the customs and the traditions of both Hindus and Muslims. The English also established Chapels and Churches
for propagating Christianity at the expense of the government. Even civil and military officers were asked to
propagate the gospel. The religious sentiments of the people were further hurt when a tax was imposed on the
construction of temples and mosques. Indian soldiers in the service of the company were equally prejudiced
against the English in the religious matters. An ACT was passed in 1856 known as the "General Services
Enlistment Act", which imposed on the Indian sepoys the obligation to serve wherever required. This forced
Hindus for overseas travelling which was against their religious customs.

The introduction of western innovations had unsettled the minds of the ignorant people. The spread of English
education, the construction of railways and telegraph lines, legislation for the suppression of sati and the

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remarriage of the widows caused a belief that the British were determined to convert the people to
Christianity. The introduction of railways was resented on the ground that people of all castes would have to
travel in the same compartments. The common people did not appreciate these changes. They looked upon
them as foreign innovations designed to break down the social order to which they were accustomed and which
they considered sacred. The educated Indians were also denied high posts.

The first two hundred years (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries) the East India Company confined its activities
to trade and commerce and had no political intention. The production of the Indian goods became so popular
that the British government had to pass a law in 1720 forbidding the use of Indian textiles. During the 18th
century, the pattern of trade went through a drastic change. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution,
England developed its own textile industry and with that the dependence on Indian textiles came to an end.
Demand for Indian textiles having reduced, the local handloom industry incurred heavy losses and suffered
badly. Gradually, the Indian handicraft and Cottage industries died out. There was major unemployment
problem and that resulted in resentment among workers against the British rule. The miserable condition of the
working class led to this rebellion against the British Rule. Cruel exploitation of the economic resources made
people miserable leading to periodic famines and led to revolt.

LEVEL 5: ANALYSIS

QUESTION NO. 3:-

Why did war of Independence of1857 fail?

7 marks June 2002 Q, 2 b

(ANSWER FROM MARKING SCEME)

There was a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab were
uninterested in helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. This also
happened in Kashmir. The British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better
disciplined as well as being supplied by some of the local rulers.

QUESTION NO. 4:-

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The war of Independence of 1857 achieved nothing .Give reasons why you agree & disagree
with this statement.
14 marks Nov. 2002 Q.1 c
The WOI 1857 achieved nothing for Indians who were defeated and crushed by British. Delhi was captured
eventually. Later Lucknow, Kanpur,Allahbad, Gawalior and Jhansi were brought under full control of British. The
plan and effort of Indian rebel forces to throw the British out of India failed badly. By July 1858 all uprising was
suppressed and the British had brought the whole of India under their control.

Although the Indians achieved nothing, the WOI became a source of patriotic inspiration for the Indian people
during later years. The war became a symbol of people’s determination to free trade from foreign rule. Educated
Indians formed political parties and they adopted constitutional methods to achieve independence.

On the other hand, from the British point of view, the WOI achieved much for the British. India came directly
under British government, ending the rule of EIC. The British strengthened the grip and control over India in
every way. The title of governor general was changed to viceroy who was given vast powers. The British Indian
Army was re organized in such a way that in future no revolt may be possible. India became a British colony and
was a source of much economic benefit. The British rule over India became a pillar of strength for the British
Empire. British became the permanent power in the world. The British started building roads, railways, canals
and school in India. The British gave a sound educational, judicial and administrative system to India.
Level 5: analysis

QUESTION NO. 5:-

The war of Independence of 1857 was caused by the Greased Cartridges incident. Give reasons why you might
agree & disagree with this statement.
14 marks June 2003 Q.1 c
The war of independence 1857 started as a result of the greased cartridges incident. Those
cartridges were covered with animal fat (cow’s & pig‘s fat) & were to be bitten by teeth before loading
in rifles. Both Muslims & Hindu soldiers refused to use these cartridges. A regiment of soldiers at Meerut
rose up in revolt &killed British officers & their families. Thus the incident took place at Meerut & spread
too many places such as Dehli, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi & Gwalior. The soldiers of the British Indian army
rebelled. Besides killing the British officers they broke open the jail & released their fellow sepoys. The
regiment then marched towards Delhi where they declared Bhadur shah II as emperor of Hindustan &
pledged to fight against the British in order to end the rule of the British east India Company. But such
historic incidents do not occur as a result of a single incident. There is always a long history of grievances
which cause such incidents. The war of independence was caused not only by the incident of greased
cartridges alone.
The British considered the Indian people an inferior nation. They were present in India for about 200
years but they behaved arrogantly, treated the Indians scornfully & kept themselves aloof from the
Indian people. There was no link between the ruler & the ruled. Many British policies were wrong & the
needs & desires of Indian people were not kept in mind while making laws because there were no Indian
members in Viceroy’s Legislative Council. In fact all strata of people in India were dissatisfied.

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There was a sense of deprivation among the people of India. All classes of society were dissatisfied.
Rulers of state were unhappy because their states were taken away by the British. Nobles & court officers
had lost their jobs & status. Peasants were in difficulty because of permanent settlement. Many land
owners were unhappy because their lands had been taken away.
Missionary activities & preaching of Christianity was going on with the full support of the British
government. A conversion to Christianity was common. This was greatly resented by both Muslims &
Hindus. The introduction of English as court & official language, replacing Persian, was another
reason .Indian people thought that the British wanted to convert them to Christianity & westernize them.
British education was resented in India especially co-education & abandonment of veil (Purdah) was not
liked. The Hindus objected to the abolition of SATI because they thought that it was interference in their
religion. The British Indian army was unhappy because salaries of the Indian soldiers were very low &
they had no chances of promotion. The Hindu soldiers thought that over-sea service was against their
religion.
Steps taken by Lord Dalhousie were greatly disliked. The Doctrine of Lapse under which many states
were taken away very unjust & unfair. Forceful annexation of Sind, Punjab, & above all of Oudh with
which the British had treaty of friendship was greatly resented by the Indian people because they loved
their former rulers. Only the Rani of Jhansi took up arms against the British & fought bravely till she was
defeated & killed.
Briefly speaking the incident of greased cartridges was the most important cause and the
immediate cause which triggered the war of independence in 1857.

QUESTION NO. 6:-

A lack of unity & coordination was the main reason for the failure of the war of Independence
by 1858 Do you agree?
14marks June 2004 Q. 1 c

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement.
The British were better OR describes the war and/or causes.
1-2
LEVEL 2:

Description of above or other reasons for failure

The opposition to the British was too weak.
3-6
LEVEL 3:
Explains one factor
7-10
LEVEL 4:
Explains at least two factors

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There was a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab were uninterested in
helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. This also happened in Kashmir.
The British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better disciplined as well as being
supplied by some of the local rulers.
8-13
LEVEL 5:
As Level 4 - also produces a judgement or evaluation.

QUESTION NO. 7:-

The introduction of Social reforms by the British, such as education, caused the war of
Independence in 1857.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
14marks Nov. 2005 Q. 2 c
Level 1:
Simplistic statement
[1-2]
British education was resented by the Indians
Level 2:
Description of reasons
[3-6]
They had to send their children to co-educational schools
Level 3:
Explains one reason
[7-10]
Level 4:
Explains at least two reasons
[9-13]
A number of social reforms had been imposed by the British without consultation or care for local feeling
which caused much unrest. Indians had to send their children to co-educational schools which was hated
since it appeared to impose the British system on the Indians without due regard to their religious and
cultural feelings. They were also forced to abandon purdha which had been an Indian custom for
centuries. The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in 1832 deeply
upset both the Muslim and Hindus.
In 1852 the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ was introduced and caused great unrest because any local kingdom not
having a direct male heir was taken over by the British.
A new cartridge was introduced by the British which was coated in both cow and pig fat. Because the
soldiers had to chew the fat caused great resentment since pig fat was forbidden by the Muslims and
the cow was a sacred animal in the eyes of the Hindus.

Level 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation [14]

QUESTION NO. 8:-

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“The establishment of English as the official language of the sub continent in 1834 was the main
reason for the war of Independence of1857’ .Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your
answer.
14marks June 2007 Q. 2 c
The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in the 1830s deeply
upset both the Muslims and Hindus. But a number of other social reforms which had been imposed by
the British without consultation or care for local feeling caused much unrest. Indians had to send their
children to co-educational schools which was hated since it appeared to impose the British system on
the Indians without due regard to their religious and cultural feelings. They were also forced to abandon
purdha which had been an Indian custom for centuries.
The ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ was gradually introduced, especially under Dalhousie, and caused great unrest
because any local kingdom not having a direct male heir was taken over by the British.
A new musket cartridge was introduced by the British which was coated in both cow and pig fat. Because
the soldiers had to chew the fat caused great resentment since pig fat was forbidden to the Muslims and
the cow was a sacred animal in the eyes of the Hindus.

QUESTION NO. 9:-

Why did the war of Independence of1857 fail?
7 marks Nov.2007 Q.2 b
Movement without planning, organization and leadership is bound to be a failure. The revolt of 1857
was no exception. The revolt was supposed to have started on May 31, 1857 as decided by Nana Sahib and his
colleagues. But an incident at Meerut whereby the soldiers had to bite cartridges made of pig fat and cow fat
added fuel to the fire leading to the revolt breaking out early. The leaders had no made plans. The movement
had no leader on top to guide people and command obedience. Every movement requires some sort of discipline
and a leader to guide and help. But since the Revolt unexpectedly broke out on May 10, 1857, there is nothing
much the leaders could do.

Unfortunately, some of the Indian prince's helped the British government at that point of time. The Sikh princes
of Nabhya, Patiala and Kapurthala and the rulers of Hyderabad and Gwalior very openly helped the British
suppress the war with men and money. Holka and Scindia remained loyal to the British. Their help at this point
of time riveted the shackles of British yoke over India for almost another century.

QUESTION NO. 10:-

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Religious factors were more important than any other in causing the war of independence of
1857-58. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
14 marks Nov.2008 Q.1 c
LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement. [1–2]
The British were resented.
LEVEL 2:
Description of religious or other causes [3–6]
Christianity was taught in schools.
LEVEL 3:
Explains one factor [7–10]
LEVEL 4:
Explains at least two factors. [9–13]
Christian missionaries came to India to convert the local population as well as set up schools. In these
schools the missionaries taught Christianity and expected local religions to be given up which was
resented by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs alike.
The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in the 1830s deeply upset
both the Muslims and Hindus. A number of social reforms had been imposed by the British without
consultation or care for local feeling which caused much unrest. Indians had to send their children to co-
educational schools which was hated since it appeared to impose the British system on the Indians
without due regard to their religious and cultural feelings. They were also forced to abandon purdha
which had been an Indian custom for centuries.
The ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ caused great unrest because any local kingdom not having a direct male heir was
taken over by the British.
A new cartridge was introduced by the British which was coated in both cow and pig fat. Because the
soldiers had to chew the fat, this caused great resentment since pig fat was forbidden by the Muslims
while the cow was a sacred animal in the eyes of the Hindus.

QUESTION NO. 11:-

Explain the three reasons for the failure of the war of Independence 1857-1858.

7marks Nov 2009.Q.1 b

There was a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab was
uninterested in helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. This also
happened in Kashmir. The British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better
disciplined as well as being supplied by some of the local rulers.

QUESTION NO. 12:-

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Was a lack of unity amongst the Indians the main reasons for the failure of the war of
Independence 1857-58? Explain your answer.
14marks June 2010 Q. 1 c

BEST ANSWER REGARDING FAILURE:

Lack of unity amongst Indians was one of the important reasons for the failure of WOI. The war spread
over a few places. Starting from Meerut it spread to Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Kanpur, Gwalior and
Jhansi. Each area had its own leader. In Delhi the Mughal emperor bahadur shah II was made the
commander. Hazrat mahal led the rebel forces in lucknow .Nana sahib and Tatia Topi rose up in Kanpur.
Rani lakshmibai fought in gwalior and jhansi but there was no link and coordination between them.
The reason for lack of unity was that there was no common cause and no common planning. Muslims
wanted to bring back Muslim rule, while Hindus wanted that the power should be in hands of Hindu
rulers such as Marathas.
Another aspect of lack of unity was that there was no common leader and concept of nationalism was
absent among Indian people. Most of the local fighters were interested in their personal security and
wellbeing.
Many Indian states rulers sided and helped the British. Rulers of Gwalior, Kashmir, Hyderabad and Nepal
were loyal and offered help to British. The Sikh from Punjab assisted the British to regain Delhi and the
ruler of Kashmir sent 2000 troops to support the British. The leaders of Indian forces did not come to
support one another.

There was also no planning, no arrangement for training of soldiers and no supply of weapons and funds
on a regular basis which was essential to conduct a successful war. Therefore the local forces were too
weak to face the British.

But besides all that the main reason for the failure of the WOI was that the British were too strong and
had superiority in weapon and fighting methods. The British army was disciplined and trained. There was
regular supply of weapons and funds from England. Therefore the Indian rebel forces were suppressed
one by one at all the places by the British.

LEVEL 5: analysis

QUESTION NO. 13:-

In 1857,a number of sepoys refused to use the new cartridges at Meerut ,near Delhi. The sepoys were given
long prison sentences and this led to a revolt in which their fellow sepoys marched on Delhi and massacred
all the British they could find. Things got worse for the British at Kanpur.

What happened at the battle of Kanpur?

4 marks June 2011 Q. 2 a

Troops joined revolt, killed their officers, led by Nana Sahib, British held out for 3 weeks, then surrendered,
soldiers and 300 women and children slaughtered, remainder kept as prisoners, reinforcements arrived and
prisoners killed, British carried out acts of revenge, Sahib escaped.

QUESTION NO. 14:-

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Did educational reforms have a more important effect on the Indians than the social,religious and economic
ones introduces by the British during the years 1773 to 1856? Explain your answer.
14 marks Nov.2011 Q.1 c
Macaulay introduced schools across the country to teach Western ideas using the English language. He believed
that British ideas were far better than anything that came from India and that it would impose Western values
and help the British to govern India more effectively. Although a common language would help to unite India,
imposing a European culture on the Indians would alienate many of them. Indians had to send their children to
coeducational schools, which was unpopular, since it appeared to impose the British system on the Indians
without due regard to their religious and cultural feelings.
Christian missionaries came to India to convert the local population as well as to set up schools. In these schools
the missionaries taught Christianity and expected local religions to be given up, which was resented by Muslims,
Hindus and Sikhs alike. The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in the 1830s
deeply upset both the Muslims and Hindus.
A number of social reforms had been imposed by the British without consultation or care for local feeling, which
caused much unrest. The banning of female infanticide and suttee, whilst seen by the British as inappropriate,
did go against many traditional feelings Hindus especially held. They were also forced to abandon purdha, which
had been an Indian custom for centuries.
In 1852, the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ was introduced and this caused great unrest because any local kingdom not
having a direct male heir was taken over by the British.
The introduction of the railway in India revolutionized communication and transformed the country. For Britain,
it meant that there was another means of extending their power and helped industry to profit by transporting
raw materials to the ports. For the Indians, there were many advantages, especially in times of famine when
food could be transported more easily.

DO GIVE ANALYSIS:

QUESTION NO. 15:-

Why did Indians not achieve independence?
7 marks Nov.2011 Q.2 b
Indians failed to achieve independence in 1857 due to lack of unity. The war was a hasty uprising without any
prior planning and preparation. The only common factor among the rebels was accumulated anger+ and
resentment against the British rule. The uprising was restricted to selected provinces of northern India. Punjab
and Sindh had been conquered by troops from Bengal and central India under the command of British officers.
So, troops from these provinces were reluctant to support fellows from Bengal.
Many Indian princes have their individual interests and feudal powers. Many of them depended on the
British support for their survival. That is why the ruler of Kashmir sent reinforcement to the British by 2000
troops to help British gain victory.

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The British, on the other hand were too strong to be overthrown by rebel Indians. They were trained as a
disciplined army capable of dealing with such emergencies. They had emerged as one of the strongest nations
in the world and proved invincible for Indians. They had retained control of most of the weapons and had no
dearth of skilled and experienced commanders to which the rebels were of no match.

QUESTION NO. 16:-

Was the Greased Cartridges incident the most important cause of the WOI of 1857.Explain your answer.
14 marks June 2012 Q.1 c

The mutiny broke out in the Bengal army because it was only in the military sphere that Indians were organized.
The pretext for revolt was the introduction of the new Enfield rifle. To load it, the sepoys had to bite off the
ends of lubricated cartridges. A rumour spread among the sepoys that the grease used to lubricate the cartridges
was a mixture of pigs’ and cows’ lard; thus, to have oral contact with it was an insult to both Muslims and Hindus.
There is no conclusive evidence that either of these materials was actually used on any of the cartridges in
question. However, the perception that the cartridges were tainted added to the larger suspicion that the British
were trying to undermine Indian traditional society. For their part, the British did not pay enough attention to
the growing level of sepoy discontent.

The British increasingly used a variety of tactics to usurp control of the Hindu princely states that were under
what were called subsidiary alliances with the British. Everywhere the old Indian aristocracy was being replaced
by British officials. One notable British technique was called the doctrine of lapse, first perpetrated by Lord
Dalhousie in the late 1840s. It involved the British prohibiting a Hindu ruler without a natural heir from adopting
a successor and, after the ruler died or abdicated, annexing his land. To those problems may be added the
growing discontent of the Brahmans, many of whom had been dispossessed of their revenues or had lost
lucrative positions.

Another serious concern was the increasing pace of Westernization, by which Hindu society was being affected
by the introduction of Western ideas. Missionaries were challenging the religious beliefs of the Hindus. The
humanitarian movement led to reforms that went deeper than the political superstructure. During his tenure
as governor-general of India (1848–56), Lord Dalhousie made efforts toward emancipating women and had
introduced a bill to remove all legal obstacles to the remarriage of Hindu widows. Converts to Christianity were
to share with their Hindu relatives in the property of the family estate. There was a widespread belief that the
British aimed at breaking down the caste system. The introduction of Western methods of education was a
direct challenge to orthodoxy, both Hindu and Muslim.

Analysis:

QUESTION NO. 17:-

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Indians began to resent British control of the sub-continent, and in 1857 the British faced a serious challenge
to their control of India. For the British it was a revolt against their authority but to the Indians it was a revolt
to throw off foreign domination.
Describe the events of the War of Independence, 1857-1858. 4 marks June 2013 Q.2 a

March 1857 a sepoy Mangal Pandey executed, May sepoys in Meerut refused to touch cartridges, were
imprisoned and broke out. Meerut sacked and British officers killed. Soldiers marched on Delhi and captured
it, revolt spread and British lost control of a number of towns (Mathura, Kanpur, Jhansi and Allahabad). In
September British took Delhi back, Bahadur Shah II surrendered and his sons murdered, Lucknow taken back.
Jhansi held out until Rhani was killed in 1858.

QUESTION NO. 18:-

Why did the War of Independence fail to meet its aims in 1857? 7 marks Oct/Nov. 2013 Q.2 b

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement
[1]
The Indians lost the war.
LEVEL 2:
Identifies reasons
[2–4]
The opposition to the British was too weak.
LEVEL 3:
Explains reasons
[5–7]
There was a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab was uninterested in
helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. This also happened in Kashmir. The
British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better disciplined as well as being supplied by
some of the local rulers.

QUESTION NO. 19:-

At first the East India Company had a neutral point of view towards religion in India. However, with the work
of missionaries in the sub-continent, the Christian faith of British people living in India was strengthened. As
a result people became more intolerant of Indian traditions and behaviour and the British began to impose
changes on the way Indians lived, which caused resentment and anxiety.

What was suttee? 4marks OCT/Nov. 2014 Q.1 a

A Hindu tradition, ritual burning of widows on funeral pyre of husbands. British tended to ignore the practice
because of the fear of offending high-caste Hindus serving in the British army and civil service. In 1813 stated it
was voluntary and would only be banned if Hindu religion opposed it, the widow was under 16 or intoxicated or

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pregnant. Practice outlawed by EIC in Bengal in 1829 and later in rest of India by Governor General Lord
Bentinck. Suttee remained legal in some princely states. Isolated instances occurred in 20thcentury.

QUESTION NO. 20:-

The strength of the British army was the sole reason for the failure of the War of Independence by 1858.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 14 Oct/Nov. 2014 Q.1 c

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement
[1–2]
The British were better.
LEVEL 2:
Description of/identifies reasons
[3–6]
The opposition to the British was too weak.
LEVEL 3:
Explains the strength of the British or other reasons
[7–10]
LEVEL 4:
Explains the strength of the British and other reasons
[9–13]

The British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better disciplined as well as being supplied
by some of the local rulers. The British were also skilled diplomats so they were able to keep other areas of India
under their control. There was also a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab
was uninterested in helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. Some of the
Indian princes were only interested in restoring their own powers and this often depended upon the support of
the British. This explains why the ruler of Kashmir sent troops to help the British. Muslims were more likely to
oppose the British in the war but there was no sense of unity with Sikhs and Hindus who were less likely to
support them in their cause. Although there were a series of uprisings against the British, the Indians lacked
coordination and strength in depth. As a result they were overcome by the British.

LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation

QUESTION NO. 21-

Why were the British able to take control of India by 1850?

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7 Marks May June

2015 Q. 1 c
LEVEL 1:
Simplistic answer
[1]
They were better.
LEVEL 2:
Identifies reasons
[2–4]
They built roads and railways and had a good army.
LEVEL 3:
Explains reasons
[5–7]
The British built a huge network of roads and later railways that meant that communication and transport links
between cities became better, soldiers could travel much more easily from trouble spot to trouble spot. It also
benefitted British trading links which in turn produced more wealth. The battles of Plassey and Buxar also gave
the British the vast riches of Bengal and favourable trading rights with the local nawabs. This provided massive
new resources which Britain could use to consolidate its control. The British also introduced governor-generals
into the provinces who administered them on British lines and provided yet more control. The British army using
its vast local resources and superior weapons and skills were increasingly taking control of more land.

QUESTION NO. 22-

Who was Nana Sahib? Oct/Nov. 2016 Q.2 a 4 MARKS

Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed statement. Candidates
might refer to the following:

•During the War of Independence at Kanpur he led the revolt that killed British officers and other Europeans
•He had a personal grievance against the British for stopping his pension
•A British force surrendered to him and his force, having been given a promise of safe passage out of the area
•Nana Sahib fired on the British on barges killing 300 women and children and the soldiers
•He escaped and was never captured.

QUESTION NO. 23-

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SOURCE A
The Indian cotton industry
At first the East India Company and the British Parliament discouraged Indian production of cotton goods in
order to encourage the growing cotton industry in Great Britain. British policy developed during the nineteenth
century to allow Indian people to grow raw cotton in order to supply material for the cotton factories of Great
Britain. Orders were sent out to force Indian skilled workers to work in the East India Company’s factories. The
East India Company was given legal powers to control production in the villages and communities of Indian
weavers. Very high tariffs excluded Indian silks and cotton goods from Great Britain but British goods were
admitted into India free of duty.
From The Economic History of India under Early British Rule by R.C. Dutt

According to Source A, what difficulties did the Indian cotton industry face during the
nineteenth century?

May June 2017 Q.No. 1 A 3 marks

Answer:
e.g.
• Indian production of cotton goods was discouraged – in favour of British industry.
• Only allowed to grow raw cotton to supply British looms.
• Skilled workers had to work in East India Company (EIC) factories.
• EIC controlled Indian weaving production.
• Very high tariffs prevented Indian silk and cotton from entering Britain.
• No duty on British goods reaching India.
Note: Allow a second mark for a developed statement from the source.

SOURC E B
A railway accident in India in the nineteenth century

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How does Source B help us to understand Indian concerns about the building of railways in India
during the nineteenth century? May June 2017 Q.No. 1 B 5 marks

• It looks dangerous / unsafe to travel by rail due to the risk of derailment or accident, which might cause
injury and death.
• Since railways were not built safely at first; accidents like these were frequent in India
• Accidents like the one shown in the source made some people fear that railways were dangerous
• Some people also worried that the British were trying to change their way of life.

QUESTION NO. 24-

Why did the British build railways in India during the nineteenth century?
May June 2017 Q.No. 1 C 7 marks

• Railways transported raw materials easily/cheaply to the ports for export/ manufactured goods to be
sold throughout India, increasing British profits.
• Railways carried troops swiftly around India (helping the British to maintain law and order and extend
power).
• British could travel the country and spread their ideas / culture, gaining support / to govern effectively.
• In times of famine food could be transported quickly to affected areas. To win support of Indians who
found them useful for travel as families were able to travel to visit relatives in other parts of India.

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QUESTION NO. 25-

Was an absence of leadership the main reason why the War of Independence in 1857 failed? Explain
your answer. May June 2017 Q.No. 1 D 10 marks

Absence of leadership

• No single leader e.g. Bhadur Shah was not accepted by most Hindus. Many people at the time thought
Bhadur Shah did not have strong leadership skills and that he was more of a figurehead.
• Bhadur Shah and the Rani of Jhansi worked alone, and neither would support the other.

Other reasons

• Lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population.

• The Punjab was uninterested in helping the rebellion, sending men and supplies to help the British.
• Some of the Indian princes were more interested in restoring their own powers and this often depended
upon the support of the British.
• Muslims were more likely to oppose the British in the war but there was not a sense of unity with Sikhs
and Hindus who were less likely to support them in their cause.
• A series of uprisings against the British, the Indians were not as coordinated or strong so the British
overcame them. The British had modern methods of fighting. The British army was well disciplined and
supplied by some of the local rulers. The British used diplomatic as well as military mechanisms to limit
the extent of the conflict.

QUESTION NO. 26-

Who were the Thuggee? Oct Nov 2017 Q. No. 2 A 4 marks

• They were armed robbers, involved in ritual murder, who terrified people
• Present in central and upper India
• Claimed they were serving a goddess, Kali
• East India Company (EIC) used force to destroy them in 1830 and stamped out the practice
• Indians / Hindus and Muslims
• Meaning concealment; a secret society

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QUESTION NO. 27-

Was religion the most important reason for the War of Independence in 1857? Give reasons for your
answer.

May June 2018 Q. 2 c 14 marks

Level 5:
Explains with evaluation 14 (As top of Level 4 plus judgement or evaluation)

Level 4:
Explains religious AND other reasons 9–13
(Two explanations, one on religious and one on other reasons, are worth 9 marks. Additional explanations
awarded up to 13 marks)

e.g. Religious reasons

• Christian missionaries came to India to convert the local population and set up schools. In these schools,
the missionaries taught Christianity and expected local religions to be given up which was resented by the
Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities.
• The British introduced a new gun that used cartridges coated in grease made from cow and pig fat. The
soldiers had to rip open the cartridges with their teeth before loading. This caused great resentment as it
was contrary to religious beliefs for both Muslim and Hindu communities and united them against the
British.

Other reasons

• The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in the 1830s deeply upset
both the Muslims and Hindus as they felt that their culture was being threatened.

• The British imposed reforms on the Indian population such as abandoning purdah / suttee without
consultation. This caused much unrest as it appeared that the British were trying to impose their culture
on centuries of Indian customs, which was resented. (Purdah / suttee may also be seen as religious
reasons.)

• In 1852 the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ was introduced and caused great unrest because any local kingdom not
having a direct male heir had their lands taken over by the British.

Level 3:
Explains the religious OR other reasons 7–10
(One explanation is worth 7 marks. Additional explanations awarded up to 10 marks)
See exemplars in L4)

Level 2:
Identifies / describes reasons 3–6
(One identification / description is worth 3 marks.

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Extra marks are awarded for additional identification / descriptions up to 6 marks)

e.g. • Christianity was taught in missionary schools

• Missionaries came to covert people to Christianity and give up local religions
• English replaced Sanskrit and Persian as the official language in the 1830s
• The ‘greased cartridge’ incident
• Suttee / purdah was abolished
• Indian children educated in co-educational schools
• Introduction of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’

Level 1:

Simple statement 1–2 (One simple statement is worth 1 mark.

An answer with additional simple statements is worth 2 marks)
e.g. • The resentment of the British

No evidence submitted or response does not address the question 0

QUESTION NO. 28:

Why did the War of Independence of 1857 not succeed?

May June 2019 Q. 3 B 7 Marks

Level 3:
Explains reasons 5–7
(Five marks for one explanation, six marks for two explanations, seven marks for three explanations)

e.g. • The Indian population were not united in a common cause.

• The Punjab was uninterested in helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British as
they did not want imperial power restored.
• This also happened in Kashmir where the ruler sent 2000 troops to help the British as this benefitted his own
feudal powers.
• The British had modern methods of fighting and the army was well organised as well as being supplied by some
of the local rulers.
Level 2: Identifies reasons 2–4 (One mark for each identification)
e.g. • There was no plan

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• There was a lack of unity

• The British had more firepower
Level 1: Simple statement 1 (One mark for any simple statement)
e.g. • The uprisings were unsuccessful

No evidence submitted or response does not address the question 0

QUESTION NO. 29:

To what extent were the outcomes of the War of Independence beneficial for India? Explain your answer.
May June 2021 Q. 3 B 7 Marks

May agree that the outcomes of the War of Independence were beneficial for India: • the Doctrine of Lapse
was abolished • the East India Company came to an end • irrigation schemes were begun • Indian farmers
benefitted from new farming methods • the railway network was extended counter-arguments might include: •
the British carried out reprisals • the Mughal Emperor was banished • the Princes lost power • disruption to trade
and business
Other relevant responses should also be credited

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