Chapter -15 TOWARDS FREEDOM

Back exercise question

Question 1: How was trade with India profitable for the English East India company?

Answer: The English East India company bought goods from India at cheaper rates and sold them in England and other countries at high prices. This resulted in huge profits for the company.

Question 2.: How did the British exploit the farmers?

Answer: The British made the farmers pay very high taxes. They had to pay taxes even during floods and droughts. They were forced to grow indigo and cotton, which were bought at very low rates and sold at very high rates in England and other countries.

Question 3: Which factor sparked the First world of independence?

Answer: A new rifle called the Enfield rifle had been introduced in India by the British. A rumour spread that the grease used in the wrapper of the bullets was made from the fat of cows and pigs. Soldiers had bite off the greased wrapper of the bullet before loading it in the rifle. This was against the religious sentiments of both the Hindu and Muslim soldiers. They refused to use these rifles and revolted.

Question 4: What helped the British to suppress the First war of Independence?

Answer: The following reasons made it easier for the British to suppress the first war of independence.

1. It did not spread to all parts of India.

2. Indian soldiers did not have sufficient money and good weapons.

3. The revolt was not organized properly.

Question 5: How did modern education lead to the rise of nationalism in India?

Answer: Modern education awakened the spirit of unity among Indians. Educated Indians realized that the British wanted to keep India poor and backward. This realization United them. The feeling of nationalism grew stronger and resulted in the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Think and answer

Question: The British called the event of 1857-58 a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’. Do you think it was just a mutiny by some sepoys? Give reasons.

Answer: No, it was just not a revolt by some sepoys or soldiers of the Indian army. The people of the country also participated in the Revolt. Many rulers such as Rani lakshmi bai, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Nana sahib and Bahadur Shah Zafar and the people belonging to various sections of the society came together to fight against the oppressive rule of the English East India company.