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The Revolt of 1857 and Its Representations
Examine the proclamations issued by the rebels in 1857 and explain why did they want to reject everything associated with the British rule in India.
It is well known to all, that in this age the people of Hindustan, both Hindus and Mohammedans, are being ruined under the tyranny and the oppression of the infidel and treacherous English. It is therefore the bounden duty of all the wealthy people of India, especially those who have any sort of connection with the Mohammedan Royal families and are considered the pastors and masters of their people, to stake, their lives and property for the well-being of the public.
The proclamations completely rejected everything associated with British rule or firangi raj as they called it. The condemned the British for the annexations they had carried out and the treaties they had broken. The British, the rebel leaders said, could not be trusted.
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Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.
What were the measures taken to ensure unity among the rebels?
What steps did the British take to quell the uprising?
Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars and zamindars to join the revolt?
What did the rebels want? To what extent did the vision of different social groups differ?
What do visual representations tell us about the revolt of 1857? How do historians analyse these representations?
Examine any two sources presented in the chapter, choosing one visual and one text, and discuss how these represent the point of view of the victor and the vanquished.
Why did the moneylenders and the rich people become victims of the wrath of mutineers in the Revolt of 1857?
Who led the Revolt of 1857 in following places–Kanpur, Jhansi, Bihar and Lucknow (Awadh).
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