Question

Summarise the consequences of the First War of Indian Independence.

Answer 1

Answer:

Consequences of the First War of Indian Independence

End of Company’s rule

• Transfer of power from the Company to the Crown
• Government of India Act of 1858
• The East India Company’s Court of Directors was replaced by a Secretary of State
• The Governor-General was given the new title of ‘Viceroy.

Reorganisation of the Army

Increase in the number of European soldiers and decrease in the number of Indian soldiers
Artilleries and effective weapons under Europeans
Mixed-caste regiments
New recruits from loyal martial races: Pathans and Gorkhas

Promises to the people

• Maintaining impartial attitude and non-intervention.
• Reppealing reformatory laws which prohibited Sati, female infanticide and laws that recognised widow remarriage.
• Higher positions in public administration were open to Indians.
• Official pardon to everyone against whom the East India Company had registered cases.
• Prioritising material and moral advancement.

Promises to Nobles

• To not annex and to honour the Company’s treaties
• Abandoning Doctrine of Lapse
• To recognise successors who were not natural heirs

Divide and Rule Policy

The British did not want Indians to make a single front. So they wedged the gap between different social and economic groups.

Aristocrats Vs Commoners
Lands given back to aristocrats

• Muslims Vs Hindus
• Muslims blamed for rebellion
• Muslims given privileges against Hindus

Economic Exploitation

• India became a source of raw material and a market for finished products.
• Salaries of British officers, Secretary of State, Members of India Council were paid out of Indian resources
• The condition of peasants was deteriorating.
• Indigo revolt 1866-68 was a result excessive exploitation of the indigo cultivators

The British invested their surplus capital and Indians had to pay dividends and interest.

Rise of Nationalism

• British dealt Indians with distrust
• People sang songs praising the valorous acts of Tantiya Tope and Lakshmibai. Rani Lakshmibai was even referred to as the Indian Joan of Arc.
• Rebel soldiers were deemed martyrs.
• Anti-British sentiments grew popular among the people