Question

What were the main consequences of the First War of Independence?
(A) Policy of Divide and Rule
(B) Religious Changes
(C) Changes in the Army
(D) All the above

Answer 1

Hint: The First War of Independence took place in 1857 and it is also known as the Revolt of 1857. This War was the first attempt to make India free from British rule. The leaders who initiated this war were Rani Lakshmi Bai, Mangal Pandey, Nama Saheb, Tatia Tope, Bahadur Shah, and many more.

Complete answer:
> The Revolt of 1857 was an initiative against the East India Company. Although it was an unsuccessful attempt to free India from Britishers yet it brings positive results among Indians. The main causes that provoked the First War of Independence are:
- The British soldiers used to behave arrogantly with Indian soldiers and they were getting fewer wages compared to British soldiers for the same post.
- There was a rumor spread all around that the cartridges that Britishers used to bring in India were lubricated with the skin of pigs and cows. This was done to hurt the religious feelings of people.
> The war brings many changes to the lives of Indians. With the End of East India Company's rule many significant changes were introduced which are:
- The policy of Divide and Rule: When the Revolt of 1857 ended, the British planned the strategy of Divide and Rule to break the Indian unity. They started building walls between Hindus and Muslims based on their religion. They tried to create differences among Indians in every possible way.
- Religious Changes: The positive outcome of this revolt was that the British people refused to intervene in the religious matter of Indians. They further stopped forcing the people of India for changing their religion.
- Changes in the Army: The Army of India was reshuffled so that no such revolt arises in the future. The Indians were given some of the ranked positions in the British Army and British officers started dealing with them politely.

So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: The first leader who lost his life during the revolt was Mangal Pandey. The main cities from where the war initiated were Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, and Jhansi. These centers also became the major reason for the failure of the Revolt of 1857 because they were so far from each other that establishing a good communication strategy among people became so difficult.