NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 5 – When People Rebel: 1857 and After

When People Rebel: 1857 and After – Class 8 History

The 1857 revolt broke out due to political (Doctrine of Lapse), economic (high taxes), and religious (greased cartridges) grievances. Key leaders included Rani Lakshmibai (Jhansi), Mangal Pandey, and Nana Sahib (Kanpur). The rebellion failed because of weak coordination, superior British weapons, and loyalty of some rulers. Afterward, power shifted from the East India Company to the British Crown (1858 Act), rulers’ lands and heirs were protected, religious and social practices respected, and military composition adjusted. This revolt marked the beginning of India’s struggle for independence.

Causes and Key Events of the 1857 Revolt

The rebellion did not happen overnight. It was the result of years of anger building up against British policies that affected every level of Indian society.

Why the People Rebelled in 1857

• Political Causes: The "Doctrine of Lapse" upset many Indian rulers. For example, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted her adopted son to be recognised as the heir to the kingdom, but the British refused.

• Economic Causes: Peasants and zamindars were frustrated by high taxes and rigid methods of revenue collection. Many lost their lands because they could not pay their debts.

• Religious Causes: The introduction of the new Enfield rifle was the final straw. The cartridges were rumoured to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs, which offended both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.

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When People Rebel 1857 and After Class 8 Question Answer: Exercise Solutions

The following when people rebel 1857 and after class 8 history question answer sets address the core exercises found in your NCERT textbook.

Question 1: What was the demand of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi that was refused by the British?

Answer: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi wanted the British to recognise her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom after the death of her husband. However, the British refused this demand under the Doctrine of Lapse, which led her to join the rebel forces against the Company.

Question 2: What did the British do to protect the interests of those who converted to Christianity?

Answer: To encourage and protect converts, the British passed a new law in 1850. This law made it easier for an Indian who had converted to Christianity to inherit the property of his ancestors. It was seen by many Indians as an attempt by the British to interfere with their traditional religions and customs.

Question 3: What objections did the sepoys have to the new cartridges that they were asked to use?

Answer: The sepoys objected to the new cartridges because:

• They had to bite the cartridges open before loading them into the rifles.

• Rumours spread that the cartridges were greased with the fat of cows and pigs.

• This was seen as a direct attack on the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

Read More - NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 1 Rational Numbers

Question 4: How did the last Mughal emperor live the last years of his life?

Answer: After the British recaptured Delhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried in court and sentenced to life imprisonment. His sons were shot dead before his eyes. He and his wife, Begum Zinat Mahal, were sent to prison in Rangoon in 1858, where he died in 1862.

Question 5: What could be the reasons for the confidence of the British rulers about their position in India before May 1857?

Answer: The British felt confident for several reasons:

• They had successfully annexed many kingdoms through the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance.

• The presence of British troops and their superior weaponry made them feel secure.

• They believed the traditional Indian society was divided and would not unite against them.

• Many local landlords and princes supported British rule as it provided them with stability.

Question 6: In what ways did the British change their policies as a result of the rebellion of 1857?

Answer: The British implemented several major policy shifts:

• Transfer of Power: The British Parliament passed the Act of 1858, transferring all powers from the East India Company to the British Crown.

• Respect for Rulers: They promised Indian rulers that their land would not be taken away in the future and allowed them to adopt heirs.

• Social Policy: They decided to stop interfering with the religious and social customs of Indians.

• Land Rights: Policies were made to protect the land rights of landlords and zamindars.

Read More - NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 5 – Judiciary

 When People Rebel 1857 Long Answer 

Q 1 - What Were The Changes After the Rebellion in 1857?

A major part of the class 8 chapter 5 history NCERT solutions is understanding how British rule changed after the revolt was suppressed. Here is the answer: 

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