Shazreh Adnan

17th January 2015

Questionnaire: War of Independence
History of the Subcontinent
1. What was the official British explanation for the uprising of 1857?
The official British explanation for the uprising of 1857 was that the Bengal Native
Army had mutinied, and any civil disturbance that happened afterwards was due to
the collapse of law and order.
2. What does the term mutiny implies?
The term mutiny implies rebellion within the military.
3. What was the P-53 Enfield Rifle Cartridge Issue?
The P-53 Enfield Cartridge Issue was that Muslims and Hindus were required to
load their rifles by biting on cartridges that were covered in pig and cow fat. The
Muslim and Hindu soldiers refused as that went against their religions.
4. What was the impact of cartridge issue on the uprising of 1857?
The impact of the cartridge issue on the uprising of 1857 was that the Muslim and
Hindu soldiers refused to load their rifles and were imprisoned due to that. This
angered the population and caused anarchy and rebellion as a result.
5. How territorial conquest was the prime objective of Britain?
Territorial conquest was the prime objective of Britain because the British wanted
to expand their state and annexed many parts of India.
6. Who was the instigator of Territorial Conquest of Britain?
The instigator of "Territorial Conquest of Britain" was Lord Dalhousie.
7. Which administration /administrator (1848-56) began an Annexation policy called the
Doctrine of Lapse and what did the doctrine proclaim?
Dalhousie's administration began an annexation policy called the Doctrine of
Lapse, which proclaimed that any state with an unable ruler or without a natural
heir would be secured under British legislation to safeguard against any outside
rule.
8. Leadership was deemed imperative to a successful uprising. Who was employed for the
job (a Maratha Indian leader)? Give name.
Nana Sahib was employed for the job of leading the uprising.
9. What do we know about Kanpur Massacre and when did it occur?
The Kanpur Massacre occurred in June 1857, in which the British were besieged at
Kanpur and surrendered to rebel Indian forces under Nana Sahib.
10. When was the first successful anti-colonial re-possession of Indian soil?
The first successful anti-colonial repossession of Indian soil was on June 7th,
1857.
11. During the revolt of 1857 the Muslims sought to reinstate whom/what, and Hindus
worked for whom/what to bring to power?
During the revolt of 1857, the Muslims sought to reinstate the rule of Muslim
princes, and the Hindus worked to bring the Marathas back to power.
12. What do you know about Misrule of the East India Company?

Shazreh Adnan
17th January 2015
Questionnaire: War of Independence
History of the Subcontinent
The Misrule of the East India Company resulted in the revolt in 1857, caused the
Famine in Bengal in1770 after materials were misused, was due to the thirst for
more land and resources, and had weak administration.