CBSE Class 8 History Our Pasts – III: NCERT Solutions for Chapter 5
This chapter, 'When People Rebel,' delves into the significant events and underlying causes of the 1857 rebellion in India. It explores the discontent among various groups, including rulers, sepoys, and common people, against British policies. The solutions cover the demands of Rani Lakshmibai, the impact of British reforms on religious sentiments, the objections of sepoys to new cartridges, and the fate of the last Mughal emperor. Understanding these aspects is crucial for grasping the complexities of the struggle for independence. These NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers to help students prepare effectively for their examinations by reinforcing their understanding of this pivotal historical period.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | History Our Pasts – III |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 5, 'When People Rebel,' focuses on the widespread discontent that led to the 1857 uprising. The NCERT Solutions explain the grievances of Indian rulers affected by British policies like the Doctrine of Lapse, the religious and cultural objections raised by sepoys against new military practices, and the broader social reforms introduced by the British. It also touches upon the decline of Mughal authority. These solutions aim to provide a clear understanding of the key events and reasons behind the rebellion.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the reasons behind the 1857 rebellion.
- Identify the grievances of Rani Lakshmibai and other rulers.
- Explain the objections of sepoys regarding the new cartridges.
- Analyze the impact of British social and religious policies on Indian society.
- Recall the fate of the last Mughal emperor.
- Recognize the significance of the 1857 revolt as a challenge to British rule.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- The 1857 Rebellion
- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
- Doctrine of Lapse
- British Social Reforms
- Sati and Widow Remarriage
- Conversion to Christianity
- Sepoy Objections to Cartridges
- Greased Cartridges
- Religious Sentiments of Soldiers
- Last Mughal Emperor
- British Policies and Indian Society
- Rebellion against British Rule
Important topics
- Causes of the 1857 Rebellion
- Sepoy Mutiny and Cartridge Controversy
- British Policies (Doctrine of Lapse, Social Reforms)
- Impact on Religious Sentiments
- Role of Rani Lakshmibai
- Decline of Mughal Empire
PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Questions and Solutions
Question 1
When the husband of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi passed away, she wished to adopt a son to continue her lineage and requested the British to recognize this adopted son as the rightful heir to the kingdom of Jhansi. However, the British East India Company refused this demand. Citing their policy, the Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed them to annex states without a natural heir, the Company ultimately took over the kingdom of Jhansi.
Question 2
The British East India Company implemented several measures to protect and encourage those who converted to Christianity. Following 1830, they permitted Christian missionaries to operate freely within their territories, allowing them to own land and property. Furthermore, in 1850, a significant new law was enacted. This law made it easier for Indians to convert to Christianity and, crucially, ensured that converts could still inherit ancestral property, thereby removing a major financial obstacle to conversion.
Question 3
The sepoys raised strong objections to the new rifle cartridges for several critical reasons, which ultimately contributed to the widespread unrest. Their primary objection was that the cartridges were reportedly greased with the fat of cows and pigs. This was considered a grave insult to the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, as cows are sacred to Hindus and pigs are forbidden in Islam. Additionally, the sepoys suspected that the British intended to convert all Indian soldiers to Christianity. They believed that introducing these cartridges was a deliberate tactic to force them to violate their religious beliefs, thereby compelling them to convert. This perceived attack on their religion was the main reason for their refusal to use the new cartridges.
Question 4
The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, lived his final years in exile under British control. Following the rebellion of 1857, in which he was proclaimed the leader by the rebels, the British captured him. They subsequently exiled him and his family to Rangoon (present-day Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar). He spent the remaining years of his life in captivity, stripped of his power and imperial status, and died in Rangoon in 1862.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the immediate trigger with the underlying causes of the rebellion.
- Underestimating the role of religious sentiments in the sepoys' objections.
- Not understanding the implications of policies like the Doctrine of Lapse.
- Overlooking the broader social reforms and their impact.
Revision tips
- Focus on the 'why' behind the rebellion: list all the grievances.
- Pay attention to the specific objections of the sepoys to the cartridges.
- Understand the impact of British policies on different groups (rulers, soldiers, commoners).
- Connect the events to the decline of Mughal power.
- Review the timeline of key events leading up to and during the rebellion.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What policy of the British led to the annexation of Jhansi after Rani Lakshmibai's husband died?
Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy that allowed the British East India Company to annex Indian states if the ruler died without a natural heir. This policy was applied to Jhansi.
Q2. Which practice was reformed by the British, encouraging widows to marry again?
Explanation: The British passed laws to stop practices like Sati and also encouraged the remarriage of widows, which was a significant social reform.
Q3. What was the primary objection of the sepoys to the new rifle cartridges?
Explanation: The sepoys objected because the cartridges were reportedly greased with the fat of cows and pigs, which was deeply insulting to both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments.
Q4. Which of the following was a belief of the British regarding Indian society?
Explanation: The British believed that Indian society required reform and introduced new laws to change certain practices they deemed objectionable.
Q5. What happened to the last Mughal emperor after the rebellion of 1857?
Explanation: The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was exiled by the British after the rebellion of 1857.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 8 History 'Our Pasts – III' about?
Chapter 5, 'When People Rebel,' discusses the major uprising of 1857 against British rule in India, exploring its causes, key figures, and consequences.
Why did Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi rebel against the British?
Rani Lakshmibai rebelled because the British refused to recognize her adopted son as the heir to the kingdom of Jhansi, opting to annex it under the Doctrine of Lapse.
What were the main reasons for the sepoys' objections to the new cartridges?
The sepoys objected because the cartridges were rumored to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs, which deeply offended their religious beliefs (Hindu and Muslim).
How did British reforms affect Indian society according to the chapter?
The British introduced reforms like stopping Sati and child marriage and encouraging widow remarriage, which sometimes interfered with traditional practices and religious sentiments.
What happened to the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar?
After the 1857 rebellion, the British exiled the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of the Mughal dynasty's rule.
How do these NCERT Solutions help students?
These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each question, helping students understand the historical context, causes, and events of the 1857 rebellion for better exam preparation.
Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy
NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.