Question

The Absentee Sovereignty of the British means that India was being ruled by the British Government from England.
A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Hint: By the end of 1859, the British had again obtained control of the country. In 1858, the powers were transferred to the British Crown from the East India Company to ensure more responsible management of the affairs of India.

Complete answer:
Absentee sovereignty of the British meant that India was being ruled by the British from England, which is located at a distance of a thousand miles. It was resented because the people of India felt that India’s wealth was being drained to England and not utilised for the country’s welfare.

By the end of 1859, the British had again obtained control of the country. However, they could not continue ruling the land with the same policies anymore. In 1858, the Parliament of the British passed a new act that transferred the powers to the British Crown from the East India Company to ensure more responsible management of Indian affairs. A member of the British Cabinet was elected as the “Secretary of State for India” and made responsible for all matters regarding India’s governance. He was provided with a council in order to advise him, referred to as the Indian Council.

India’s Governor-General has conferred the title of Viceroy i.e., a personal representative of the Crown. The British Government with the help of all these measures accepted direct responsibility for ruling India.

India’s all-ruling Chiefs were given the assurance that their territory would never be seized in future. They were given permission to pass on their Kingdoms to their heirs, including adopted sons. However, they were made to accept the British Queen as their Sovereign Paramount. Thus the rulers of the country were to hold their Kingdoms as subordinates of the British Crown. Hence, after 1857, a new phase of history began.

Thus, the correct answer is Option ‘A’ i.e, True.

Note: The British seized the land and property of Muslims on a large scale. They were also treated with suspicion and hostility because the British believed that they were the major reason behind the rebellion. However, the British decided to respect the customary religious and social practices of the citizens of India.