Indian kings, queens, peasants, landlords, tribals, and soldiers were all affected in different ways by the British colonial rule.
Nawabs Lose Their Power
Since the mid-18th century, nawabs and rajas had gradually lost their power and authority; the Company and the British government reduced their freedom, disbanded their armed forces, and took away their tax revenues and territories.
Many ruling families, such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi tried to negotiate with the Company to protect their interests, but they were mostly defeated and murdered.
The Company also took several measures to formally bring an end to the Mughal dynasty:
The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the Company.
In 1849, it was announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort, the official residence of the Mughal emperor of India, and given another place in Delhi to reside in.
In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king, and after his death, his descendants would be called princes, not kings.
The Peasants and the Sepoys
Peasants and zamindars resented the Company's high taxes and the rigid methods of revenue collection.
Indian sepoys in the Company's armies were unhappy about their pay, allowances, and condition of work.
In 1856, the Company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the Company’s army had to agree to serve overseas if required. Such policies violated the religious and traditional sentiments of the sepoys.
Responses to Reforms
Although some reforms introduced by the British were good and even essential, the general response to the changes the British brought about in the Indian society was not very positive.
The British passed laws to stop the practice of sati (burning of widowed women), to encourage the remarriage of widows, and to actively promote education using English as the medium of instruction
A new law was passed in 1850 to make conversion to Christianity easier.
Although many Indians want to change their unhealthy social practices, they also felt that the British were harming and destroying their religion and social customs and heritage.
The peasants and sepoys both had reasons to be rebel.
The peasants had been charged with high taxes which forced them to borrow money from money lenders which they failed to pay back.
On the other hand the sepoys were facing horrible conditions of service as well a slow pays.
In addition to this, some of the additional new methods practised in the army went against the religious beliefs and ideals of many of them. This caused them to revolt.
Answers & Comments
1. Introduction
What will I learn in this lesson?
2. Comics
A Story of when people rebel
3. Key Concepts
Policies and the People
A Mutiny Becomes A Popular Rebellion
The Company Fights Back
Aftermath
4. Quiz
Quiz
5. Did You Know?
Dateline
Some Facts
Classroom Activities
Finish Lesson
Help

When People Rebel
Our Pasts - III
Policies and the People
Indian kings, queens, peasants, landlords, tribals, and soldiers were all affected in different ways by the British colonial rule.
Nawabs Lose Their Power
Since the mid-18th century, nawabs and rajas had gradually lost their power and authority; the Company and the British government reduced their freedom, disbanded their armed forces, and took away their tax revenues and territories.
Many ruling families, such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi tried to negotiate with the Company to protect their interests, but they were mostly defeated and murdered.
The Company also took several measures to formally bring an end to the Mughal dynasty:
The name of the Mughal king was removed from the coins minted by the Company.
In 1849, it was announced that after the death of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the family of the king would be shifted out of the Red Fort, the official residence of the Mughal emperor of India, and given another place in Delhi to reside in.
In 1856, Governor-General Canning decided that Bahadur Shah Zafar would be the last Mughal king, and after his death, his descendants would be called princes, not kings.
The Peasants and the Sepoys
Peasants and zamindars resented the Company's high taxes and the rigid methods of revenue collection.
Indian sepoys in the Company's armies were unhappy about their pay, allowances, and condition of work.
In 1856, the Company passed a new law which stated that every new person who took up employment in the Company’s army had to agree to serve overseas if required. Such policies violated the religious and traditional sentiments of the sepoys.
Responses to Reforms
Although some reforms introduced by the British were good and even essential, the general response to the changes the British brought about in the Indian society was not very positive.
The British passed laws to stop the practice of sati (burning of widowed women), to encourage the remarriage of widows, and to actively promote education using English as the medium of instruction
A new law was passed in 1850 to make conversion to Christianity easier.
Although many Indians want to change their unhealthy social practices, they also felt that the British were harming and destroying their religion and social customs and heritage.
The peasants and sepoys both had reasons to be rebel.
The peasants had been charged with high taxes which forced them to borrow money from money lenders which they failed to pay back.
On the other hand the sepoys were facing horrible conditions of service as well a slow pays.
In addition to this, some of the additional new methods practised in the army went against the religious beliefs and ideals of many of them. This caused them to revolt.