NCERT Solutions Class 8th History Chapter – 5 When People Rebel Question Answer

Question 1.What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?
Ans – She wanted the Company to recognize her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband.

Question 2.What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?
Ans – They were allowed to inherit the property of their ancestors.

Question 3.What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?
Ans – The cartridges were greased with the fats of cow and pig. The use of these things was against the religious sentiments of Hindus and Muslims. So, the sepoys from these religions objected.

Question 8.In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?Ans – As a result of the rebellion of 1857, the British changed their policies. Following are the important changes that the British made –

1. The powers of the East India Company were transferred to the British Crown in order to ensure more responsible management of Indian affairs.
2. The Governor-General of India was given the title of Viceroy, that is, a personal representative of the Crown.
3. All ruling chiefs of the country were assured that their territory would never be annexed in the future. They were allowed to pass on their kingdoms to their heirs, including an adopted son. But they had to acknowledge the British queen as their Sovereign Paramount.
4. It was decided that the proportion of Indian soldiers in the army would be reduced and the number of European soldiers would be increased. It was also decided that instead of recruiting soldiers from Awadh, Bihar, Central India, and South India more soldiers would be recruited from among the Gorkhqs, Sikhs, and Pathans.
5. The British decided to respect the customary religions and social practices of the people in India.

Question 9. Find out stories and songs remembered by people in your area or your family about San Sattavan ki Ladaai. What memories do people cherish about the great uprising?Ans – Songs and Stories

Memories

• Sepoy Mutiny started from Meerut.
• Support of Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• Spread of the mutiny over all of India.
• Thousands of Firangis killed.
• Thousands of people sacrificed their lives.
• Mutiny suppressed.
• British Foundation was shaken in India.
• Concessions are given to Indians.

Question 10.Find out more about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. In what ways would she have been an unusual woman for her time?
Ans – 1. Rani Laxmibai was born sometime around 1828 in Varanasi. His father Moropant Tambey was a Marathi Brahmin. Her mother Bhagirathibai was a cultured religious woman.

2. She was raised in the Court of Baji Rao II, the last of the Maratha Peshwas. At the age of 14, she was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi. Here she was given a new name, Laxmibai.

3. She gave birth to a son but soon he died. In 1853 Gangadhar Rao fell ill. He was persuaded to adopt a child as his heir. He adopted Damodar Rao, a little child. The next day he died.

4. Rani claimed that Damodar Rao was their legal Heir. The British rule rejected Rani’s claim and decided to annex Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse.

5. Rani sought the advice of a British lawyer and fought her case in London. Her petition was ultimately rejected. The British confiscated the state jewels and deducted her husband’s debt from her annual pension.

6. She was asked to leave Jhansi fort. Laxmibai was determined to defend Jhansi. She proclaimed her decision with the famous words “Mi Mahji Jhansi Nahi dehnar (I will not give up my Jhansi).

7. She raised a volunteer army in which both men and women were recruited. She fought for two weeks but the Fort of Jhansi was lost to the British.

8. Rani escaped in the guise of a man with a few of her supporters with her son tied behind her back and a sword in her hand. She regrouped her force and moved towards Gwalior. She fought for a week but finally became a victim of a bullet on the battlefield in 1858.

9) It was not easy for a woman to be the head of State at that time. Rani faced many difficulties but she ran the kingdom well. She mastered martial arts and inspired Jhansi’s women to join the army and take a more active role in defending the country. All these made her an unusual woman for her times.