Question

What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?

Answer 1

• Over a hundred years of British rule, the soldiers, tribals, landlords, peasants, queens and kings were affected in different ways.
• There was erosion of power of the rajas and nawabs since the mid 18th century.
• Gradually, they had lost their honour and authority.
• At different stages and through different rules, the Rajas and Nawabs steadily lost their territories.
• Slowly and gradually the armed forces of the Kingdoms were disbanded by the British.
• The rulers lost their freedom, the residents posted in the courts of Kings by the British started wielding more powers in the internal affairs of the kingdoms.
• The British were taken by surprise.
• The British assumed that the disturbances and issues which arose due to cartridges would settle down soon.
• But the entire situation turned bad quickly once Bahadur Shah Zafar decided to support the rebellion.