Policies and the People: Causes of Discontent

Which policy most directly reduced the autonomy of Indian rulers by stationing Company residents and disbanding armed forces?

• Subsidiary Alliance imposed on princely states

• Permanent Settlement in Bengal provinces

• Ryotwari revenue assessment in Madras

• Doctrine of Lapse for heirless states

Why was Awadh annexed by the Company in 1856 after an earlier alliance in 1801?

• Failure to pay annual tribute arrears

• Misgovernment claims requiring British administration

• Absence of a legitimate biological heir

• Resistance to missionary activities in Lucknow

What change signaled the planned end of the Mughal dynasty under Company rule?

• Abolition of Persian in official courts

• Removal of the Mughal name from Company coins

• Transfer of the capital from Delhi to Calcutta

• Confiscation of jagirs from nobles

Which grievance made many sepoys refuse sea travel orders in 1824, leading to punishments?

• Fear of losing caste and religion by crossing seas

• Low pay compared to British soldiers

• Mandatory use of new rifle cartridges

• Ban on traditional regimental festivals

How did countryside discontent intensify sepoy anger before 1857?

• Sepoys received tax exemptions ignored by peasants

• Village officials blocked sepoy recruitment drives

• Sepoy regiments were stationed only in urban forts

• Many sepoys were peasants with families in villages

Which British social reform aimed to prevent a traditional practice involving widows in India during the 19th century?

• Ban on sati ceremonies

• Abolition of land revenue

• Restriction on caste councils

• End of village headship

Vishnubhatt Godse described rumours of an "eighty-four rules" list. What main fear did sepoys express about these rules?

• Erasure of Hindu and Muslim religions

• Transfer to distant frontiers

• Loss of regimental pay scales

• Replacement of Indian officers

Sitaram Pande wrote that agents of Oudh and Delhi stirred soldiers. Which plan did these agents advocate to motivate sepoys?

• Founding new cantonment councils

• Creating a soldier welfare fund

• Negotiating better rations

• Restoring the Emperor of Delhi

English-language education and free missionary activity expanded after 1830. Which consequence did many Indians perceive from these changes?

• Undermining religion and traditions

• Reducing princely state autonomy

• Strengthening local craft guilds

• Preserving hereditary customs

Which statement best distinguishes mutiny from rebellion in the 1857 context?

• Mutiny was isolated protests by traders

• Mutiny was soldiers disobeying officers collectively

• Mutiny was peasants refusing rents and taxes

• Rebellion meant secret petitions to British

• Rebellion was only palace coups by nobles