Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10 Rebels and the Raj discusses the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny which was a significant event in Indian history. It was a rebellion against British rule and was fought by Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, who were under British command. The rebellion spread throughout India and was one of the largest uprisings against colonial rule. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major turning point in Indian history. It marked the beginning of the end of British rule in India and the start of the Indian independence movement.
In this article, we will look into the summary of Chapter 10 Rebels and the Raj in detail. It is an important chapter in Indian History. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on Chapter 10 Rebels and the Raj.
Rebels and the Raj: The Revolt of 1857 and Its Representations
On 10 May 1857, sepoys in Meerut broke out in a mutiny, attacking white people and burning their property. Government buildings were destroyed and the telegraph line to Delhi was cut. A group of sepoys rode towards Delhi, where they arrived at the Red Fort on 11 May. The old Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah, heard the disturbance and demanded his blessings. The revolt gained legitimacy as it could now be carried on in the name of the Mughal emperor. As news spread that Delhi had fallen to the rebels and Bahadur Shah had blessed the rebellion, events moved swiftly, with cantonments in the Gangetic valley and west of Delhi rising in mutiny.
Pattern of the Rebellion
The mutinies in each cantonment followed a similar pattern, with the sepoys taking up arms as news spread from one town to another.
How the Mutinies Began
The sepoys began their revolt with a signal, seized the bell of arms, and attacked government buildings. They targeted everyone connected to the white man, and proclamations were put up in cities. As ordinary people joined the revolt, targets expanded, including moneylenders and the rich. Peasants saw them as oppressors and allies of the British. The mutiny in the sepoy ranks quickly became a rebellion, with British rule collapsed like a house made of cards.
Lines of Communication
The mutiny in Kanpur was partly due to planning and coordination among sepoy lines. After refusing to accept new cartridges, the 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry wrote to the 48th Native Infantry, indicating they had acted for the faith. People were planning and talking about the rebellion. The pattern of mutinies raises questions about the planning and planners. One incident provides clues about the organization of the mutinies. Panchayats were a nightly occurrence in Kanpur sepoy lines, suggesting collective decisions were made. The sepoys were the makers of their own rebellion.
Leaders and Followers
The rebellion against the British required leadership and organization. Rebels in Meerut sought leadership from former leaders before the conquest, such as Nana Sahib, Kunwar Singh, and Birjis Qadr. The old Mughal emperor initially rejected the rebellion, but eventually agreed to lead it after some sepoys moved into the Red Fort. Other towns and cities also saw similar scenes, with ranis, rajas, nawabs, and taluqdars as leaders. The message of rebellion was carried by ordinary men and women, as well as religious leaders and self-styled prophets. Local leaders emerged, urging peasants, zamindars, and tribals to revolt.
Two Rebels of 1857
Shah Mal
Shah Mal, a Jat cultivator from a large village in Uttar Pradesh, mobilized villagers against the British land revenue system.
- The villagers saw the high demand and inflexible collection of revenue as oppressive, leading to land loss to traders and moneylenders.
- The revolt escalated into a general rebellion against British oppression and injustice.
- Cultivators left their fields, plundered houses of moneylenders and traders, and took possession of their lost lands.
- Shah Mal’s men attacked government buildings, destroyed bridges, and built metalled roads to prevent British forces.
- They sent supplies to sepoys in Delhi and stopped official communication between British headquarters and Meerut.
- Shah Mal, known as the Raja, transformed an English officer’s bungalow into a “hall of justice” and established an effective intelligence network.
- Shah Mal was killed in battle in July 1857.
Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah
Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah’s Role in 1857 Rebellion:
- Educated in Hyderabad, became a preacher.
- Preached jehad against British in 1856, leading rebellions.
- Known as Danka Shah, a maulvi with a drum.
- British officials panicked, leading to thousands following him.
- Despite being stopped from preaching in Lucknow, he was jailed in Faizabad.
- Released, elected leader of the 22nd Native Infantry.
- Fought in the Battle of Chinhat, defeating British forces.
- Became known for his courage and power, believed in invincibility and magical powers.
Rumours and Prophecies
Rumours and prophecies played a significant role in the battle in North India during the early 1857 period. Sepoys in Delhi were told about bullets coated with cows and pigs, which they believed would corrupt their caste and religion. This spread rapidly across the sepoy lines of North India, leading to fear and panic among the sepoys. Rumours also circulated about a conspiracy by the British government to destroy the caste and religion of Hindus and Muslims, with the bone dust of cows and pigs mixed into flour sold in the market. Panic spread rapidly, and the call for action was reinforced by the prophecy that British rule would end on the centenary of the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1857. The distribution of chapattis was also a significant rumour.
Why did People Believe in the Rumours?
Rumours and prophecies in history are powerful because they reflect the minds of those who believed them, their fears, apprehensions, faiths, and convictions. In 1857, rumours began to make sense when viewed in the context of British policies aimed at reforming Indian society. Under Governor General Lord William Bentinck, the British introduced Western education, ideas, and institutions, abolishing customs like sati and allowing Hindu widows to remarry. This led to the annexement of territories like Awadh, Jhansi, and Satara, and the introduction of their own administration, laws, and land settlement methods.
Awadh in Revolt
“A Cherry that will Drop into our Mouth One Day”
In 1851, Governor General Lord Dalhousie referred to Awadh as a “cherry that will drop into our mouth one day.” In 1856, the kingdom was formally annexed to the British Empire. The Nawab had to disband his military force and act according to the British Resident. The British became increasingly interested in acquiring Awadh due to its potential for indigo and cotton production. By the early 1850s, all major Indian areas had been conquered.
“The Life was Gone Out of the Body”
Lord Dalhousie’s annexations caused disaffection in North India, particularly in the kingdom of Awadh. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was dethroned and exiled to Calcutta, claiming misgovernance. The British government mistakenly assumed he was unpopular, but he was widely loved. The exile caused widespread grief and loss, leading to the dissolution of the court and its culture, affecting various professions such as musicians, dancers, poets, artisans, cooks, retainers, and administrative officials.
Firangi Raj and the End of a World
In Awadh, the revolt of 1857 was a response to the British annexation of the region, which dispossessed the taluqdars, who had previously controlled land and power. The British aimed to settle the land with the actual owners of the soil, but this did not work, as revenue flows increased but the burden of demand on peasants did not decline. The dispossession of taluqdars disrupted the social order, and the grievances of peasants were carried over into the sepoy lines, who were recruited from the villages of Awadh. The sepoys’ relationship with their superior white officers changed significantly in the 1840s, with the officers developing a sense of superiority and treating them as their racial inferiors. This change in relations between the sepoys and the rural world had significant implications in the uprising, as peasants joined the soldiers and ordinary people in collective acts of rebellion.
What the Rebels Wanted
The British recorded their own trials and heroism, dismissing rebels as ungrateful and barbaric. Repression silenced their voice, and few rebels had the opportunity to record their experiences. Only a few proclamations and notifications provide insight into the rebels’ perspective, making attempts to reconstruct 1857 heavily reliant on British writings.
The Vision of Unity
In 1857, rebel proclamations appealed to all sections of the population, including Hindus, despite their caste and creed. The rebellion was seen as a war where both Hindus and Muslims had equal stakes. The ishtahars glorified the coexistence of different communities under the Mughal Empire. Despite British attempts to create divisions, religious divisions were hardly noticeable during the uprising.
Against the Symbols of Oppression
The proclamations against British rule, or firangi raj, condemned the British for annexations and treaties. They enraged the people by the dispossessed landholders and the ruin of artisans and weavers due to foreign commerce. The proclamations expressed fear that the British were converting Hindus and Muslims to Christianity. People were urged to fight for their livelihood, faith, honor, and identity for the “greater public good.” The rebellion often widened into attacks on allies and oppressors, presenting an alternative vision of a more egalitarian society.
The Search for Alternative Power
After British rule collapsed, rebels in Delhi, Lucknow, and Kanpur attempted to establish authority and administration structures, aiming to restore the pre-British eighteenth-century Mughal world. They appointed posts, arranged land revenue collection, and ordered troop payment. They also laid down chains of command in the army, symbolizing lost territories. These structures were primarily designed to meet war demands, but often failed to survive British attacks.
Repression
In 1857, the British faced a challenging time in suppressing the rebellion in North India. They passed laws to quell the insurgency, suspending ordinary processes of law and trial and imposing only death as the punishment. Armed with these laws and reinforcements, the British mounted a two-pronged attack, moving from Calcutta into North India and reconquering Delhi from the Punjab. The city was finally captured in late September, but the fighting and losses were heavy. The British also used military power to break up the unity in present-day Uttar Pradesh, promising to give back estates to large landholders. Many rebel landholders died fighting the British or escaped into Nepal, where they died of illness or starvation.
Images of the Revolt
The revolt and repression activities are primarily discussed through British accounts, official accounts, and memos. These records reveal fears and anxieties of officials, their perception of the rebels, and the violence of the mutineers. Pictorial images produced by the British and Indians also provide valuable information.
Celebrating the Saviours
British pictures, like “Relief of Lucknow” by Thomas Jones Baker, depict British heroes who saved the English and repressed rebels. The painting celebrates the siege of Lucknow, with Campbell, Outram, and Havelock at the center. The paintings evoke emotions and emotions, creating a sense of victory for the British.
English Women and the Honour of Britain
Newspaper reports influenced public perception, leading to public demands for revenge in Britain. Artists like Joseph Noel Paton portrayed trauma and suffering through their visual representations. “In Memoriam” depicts innocent women and children, while “Miss Wheeler” represents women as heroically defending their honor and life, with a deeper religious connotation.
Vengeance and Retribution
British anger and shock led to increased demands for retribution, with violent representations and news creating a militia that saw repression and vengeance as necessary and just.
The Performance of Terror
The rebels were brutally executed, either by gun blowing or hanging from the gallows, with images widely circulated in popular journals.
No Time for Clemency
During a time of vengeance, Governor-General Canning’s plea for moderation was mocked by the British press. In a cartoon published in Punch, Canning is depicted as a protective father figure, holding an unsheathed sword and dagger, both dripping with blood, a motif that recurred in British pictures of the time.
Nationalist Imageries
The twentieth century national movement in India was inspired by the 1857 revolt, celebrated as the First War of Independence. Art and literature have helped keep the memory alive by portraying the leaders as heroic figures, with poems and heroic poems highlighting the queen’s valiant fight against British rule. The Rani of Jhansi, often depicted in battle armor, symbolizes the determination to resist injustice and alien rule.
Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10 Rebels and the Raj
In conclusion, the Revolt of 1857 was a watershed moment in Indian history. It was the first time that Indians from all walks of life had come together to challenge British rule. The revolt was not successful, but it had a profound impact on the course of Indian history. The revolt led to the end of the East India Company’s rule in India. India was brought under the direct rule of the British Crown. The revolt also led to a number of reforms, including the introduction of the Indian Councils Act of 1861 and the Government of India Act of 1858. These reforms gave Indians a greater say in the administration of their country.
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FAQs on Class 12 History Notes Chapter 10 Rebels and the Raj
What is the focus of Class 12 History Chapter 10?
Chapter 10 focuses on rebellions against British colonial rule in India during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Who were the rebels mentioned in this chapter?
The chapter covers various rebellions led by Indian leaders such as Rani Lakshmibai, Mangal Pandey, and the Sepoy Mutiny.
What were the causes of the rebellions against British rule?
Causes include grievances related to economic exploitation, cultural disrespect, and political suppression by the British East India Company.
How did the rebels challenge British authority?
Rebels engaged in armed uprisings, protests, and sabotage to challenge British control and demand freedom.
What impact did these rebellions have on India’s struggle for independence?
While some rebellions were suppressed, they inspired future generations and contributed to the momentum towards India’s eventual independence.
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