Consequences of the War of Independence

O Level Pakistan Studies History · Cultural and historical background to the Pakistan Movement: 1857, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and languages. A short explanation of the idea, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid, a worked example and practice questions with answers.

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The idea

The British punished the rebels severely. Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried and exiled to Rangoon, and the Mughal dynasty came to an end.

The way India was governed changed. The Government of India Act 1858 ended the rule of the East India Company and placed India under the British Crown. A Secretary of State for India in London took charge, and the Governor-General also became Viceroy. The Queen's Proclamation promised respect for Indian religions and no more annexations.

The army was reorganised so that a revolt could not happen again. Muslims suffered most, because the British saw them as the main instigators. They lost jobs and land and fell behind in English education.

Rules to remember

Common mistake

The Viceroy governed in India; the Secretary of State for India sat in London. Students often swap the two posts.

Worked example

Why did the British keep the artillery in British hands after 1857?

  1. In 1857 trained Indian soldiers had turned their weapons on the British.
  2. Artillery was the most powerful weapon an army had.
  3. If only British soldiers controlled the guns, any future mutiny would be much weaker and easier to defeat.

Answer: To make sure Indian troops could never again have the firepower to threaten British rule.

Practice questions

Try each one, then open the answer.

1. What did the Government of India Act 1858 do?

  1. A
    gave the Muslims of India separate electorates
  2. B
    ended Company rule and placed India under the Crown
  3. C
    granted the provinces self-government under elected ministers
  4. D
    divided the province of Bengal into two parts
Show answer

Answer: B. The Company was abolished as a ruling power. Separate electorates came in 1909 and provincial autonomy in 1935.

2. Which statement best describes the position of Muslims in the decades after 1857?

  1. A
    they held most of the senior posts in the civil service
  2. B
    they were rewarded with separate electorates in 1861
  3. C
    they became the main landowners in Bengal and Bihar
  4. D
    they fell behind in English education and jobs
Show answer

Answer: D. Distrusted by the British and reluctant to take up English education, Muslims lost ground to Hindus, which Sir Syed set out to change.

3. Which new post was created in London in 1858 to take charge of Indian affairs?

  1. A
    Viceroy of India
  2. B
    Governor-General of Bengal
  3. C
    Secretary of State for India
  4. D
    President of the Board of Control
Show answer

Answer: C. The Secretary of State, advised by a Council of India, replaced the Company's Board of Control. The Viceroy was based in India.

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