“The annexation of Awadh displaced not just the Nawab but a lso dispossessed the taluqdars of the region, causing break down of an entire social order.” Critically examine the statement.

The given statement is true.

(i) This emotional upheaval was aggravated

by immediated material losses. The removal of the Nawab led to the dissolution of the court and its culture. Thus a whole range of people -musicians, dancers, poets, artisans, cooks, retainers, administrative officials soldiers and so on – lost their livelihood.

(ii) The deposition of Nawab and annexation of Awadh dispossessed the taluqdars of the region. The countryside of Awadh was dotted with the estates and forts of taluqdars who for many generation had the controlled land and power in the countryside. Several sepoys of the Awadh state were expelled from their jobs. The dispossession of taluqdars means the breakdown of an entire social order. The relationship of the sepoys with their superior white officers underwent a significant change in the years preceding the uprising of 1857.

(iii) The grievances of the peasants were carried over into the sepoy lines since a vast majority of the sepoys were recruited from the villages of Awadh. for decades the sepoys had complained of low levels of pay and the difficult of getting leaves. By the 1850s there were other reasons for their discontent.

The dispossession of taluqdars and their resentment : (i) Fort were destroyed and very big band of foot soldiers were finish of the taluqdas. The British land revenue policy further undermined the position and authority of the taluqdars. British land revenue officers believed that by removing taluqdars they would be able to settle the land with the actual owners of the soil and thus reduce the levels of exploitation of peasants while increasing revenue returns for the state. But this did not happen in practice : revenue flows for the state increased but the burden of demand on the peasants did not decline. In areas like Awadh where resistance during 1857 was intense and long lasting, the fighting was carried out by taluqdars and their peasants.

(iv) Zamindars lost their traditional land holdings. Their forts were destroyed and troops were banned. They loss their comforts of life and luxurious life style. They were given due regards by Nawab of the Awadh and they had very good hold over their people.