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Unit 13: Map I

• The annexation of Indian states produced startling economic and social effects. The Indian Notes
aristocracy was deprived of power and position. It found little chance to gain the same old
position in the new administrative set-up, as under the British rule all high posts, civil and
military, were reserved for the Europeans.
• Like all conquering people the English rulers of India were rude and arrogant towards the
subject people. However, the English were infected with a spirit of racialism. The rulers
followed a policy of contempt towards the Indians and described the Hindus as barbarians
with hardly any trace of culture and civilisation, while the Muslims were dubbed as bigots,
cruel and faithless.
• Since the Afghan adventure of Lord Auckland, the discipline in the army had suffered a
serious set back Lord Dalhousie had written to the Home authorities that “the discipline of
the army from top to bottom officers and men alike, is scandalous”. The Bengal Army was “a
great brotherhood in which all the members felt and acted in union”, and service in the army
was hereditary. Three-fifth of the recruits of the Bengal Army were drawn from Oudh and
the North-Western Provinces and most of them came from high caste Brahmin and Rajput
families who were averse to accepting that part of the army discipline which treated them on
par with the low caste recruits.
• Pre independence struggle makes India proud: The term pre independence India is quite
complicated and may denote lots of developments along with declinations and if you wish
for, you may focus on the entire course of Indian history starting form the ancient era to the
national independence in 1947. Without a shred of doubt, this period can be delved into but
may lead to sleepless nights in profusion. Why don’t we focus on the pre independence era
that witnessed the birth of Indian freedom movement? After all, this happens to form one of
the glorious chapters of Indian history and thanks to the same, India or the perfect emblem
of a multiethnic, multi-religious ad multi-linguistic nation, for the first time, got hold of an
exclusive identity - Indian.

13.4 Key-Words

1. Mutiny : An open rebellion against the proper authorities
2. Shaitani daftars : Education offices set up by the British.

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