NCERT Class 8 English Honeydew | Chapter 3: Glimpses of the Past

Summary

The script recounts the pivotal role of Indian heroes in the First War of Independence, or the Revolt of 1857, against British rule. It highlights the British East India Company's expansion, aided by internal conflicts among Indian princes, and the subsequent economic and social exploitation of Indians, including heavy taxation and the undermining of local industries. The script also touches on the introduction of English education by Lord Macaulay, which paradoxically produced a generation of Indians who would voice their grievances to the British Parliament. The rebellion, sparked by the Indian SEO's discontent with religious and racial discrimination, spread across India, garnering support from various segments of society, including landlords and former rulers, in a collective fight for freedom.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The British East India Company controlled most of India by 1765, leveraging infighting among Indian princes to expand their territories.
• 🛡️ Titu Mir, the Sultan of Murshidabad, was a notable figure who fought valiantly against the British until his death.
• 🤝 Some Indians initially viewed British merchants as potential saviors, while others resented the dethroning of Indian princes by the British.
• 📚 Religious leaders at the time promoted superstition and discrimination, which affected the social fabric of India.
• 💼 The British imposed heavy taxes on farmers and took away their crops when they couldn't pay, leading to widespread discontent.
• 📉 British policies, such as waiving import duties on English goods, led to the influx of cheap British products and the loss of livelihood for Indian artisans.
• 🎓 Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a scholar from Bengal, sought to reform Indian society by understanding the sources of British power and traveled to England for this purpose.
• 📜 Regulation 3 of 1818 allowed the British to jail Indians without trial, highlighting the oppressive nature of their rule.
• 📚 Lord Macaulay's introduction of English language education in 1835 created a new class of educated Indians who would later voice their grievances to the British Parliament.
• 🔥 The Rebellion of 1857, also known as India's First War of Independence or the Revolt of 1857, was sparked by various factors including forced conversions to Christianity and the use of pig and cow fat on ammunition, which was offensive to the religious beliefs of Indian soldiers.
• 🌐 The rebellion spread across North India, with support from various segments of society including landlords and former rulers, who joined forces against the British.

Q & A

What is the Revolt of 1857 also known as?

The Revolt of 1857 is also known as the First War of Independence.

By what year did the British East India Company control most of India?

By 1765, the British East India Company controlled most of India.

How did the infighting among Indian princes benefit the British East India Company?

The infighting among Indian princes helped the East India Company expand the territories under its control.

Who was the ruler that fought the British bravely until his death in battle?

Tiu Sultan of Meur fought the British bravely until his death in battle.

What was the impact of the British waving off the import duty on goods manufactured in England?

Cheap British-made goods flooded the Indian markets, causing Indian artisans to lose their livelihood.

Why did Raja Ram Mohan Roy go to England?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy went to England to understand what made them powerful and to learn how Indian society could be reformed.

What was the significance of Regulation 3 passed by the British in 1818?

Regulation 3 allowed an Indian to be jailed without trial in a court by the British.

What was the role of English language education introduced by Lord Macaulay in 1835?

English language education produced a new generation of learned Indians who became vocal in expressing the problems of Indians before the British Parliament.

What was the cause of discontent among the Indian sepoys in the East India Company Army?

The Indian sepoys were unhappy with the discrimination against them and being forced to cross the sea to fight for the British, which violated their religious beliefs.

What triggered the violent outbreak by the sepoys of Meerut in 1857?

The sepoys were hurt and angry when they learned that the grease on the bullets they were supposed to bite off before use contained pig and cow fat, which was against their religious beliefs.

Who were some of the leaders that joined the Rebellion against the British?

Leaders like Mauli Ahmedullah of Faizabad and Azimah also joined the Rebellion, along with former rulers like Behram Hazrat Mahel of Lucknow.