GRADE: V

SUBJECT: Social Science TOPIC: Struggle towards Freedom

NOTES No: 3 Number of pages: 2

I. Answer the following:

1. Why was India known as the Golden Bird in ancient times?

Ans: India was known as ‘the Golden Bird’ in ancient times because of its wealth &
prosperity. India was rich in spices, textiles, precious and semi-precious stones, jewels of all
kinds and pearls. Indian goods were popular worldwide.

2. How did the British exploit the farmers of India ?

Ans: The British exploited the poor farmers of India as they were forced to grow crops (cash
crops) that would be used as raw materials. These materials were purchased at very low
prices. Also the farmers were not allowed to grow food crops. As a result they starved.

3. Where and why did the Revolt of 1857 start? Why did it fail?
Ans: The revolt of 1857, also known as the ‘sepoy mutiny’ started in Meerut and spread
towards Delhi and then to other parts of India. It started because a rumor spread in the
British army camps that the cartridges that the soldiers had to bite off to load the rifles (The
Lee-Enfield rifles) were greased with the fat of cows and pigs. This angered and hurt the
religious feelings of Hindus and Muslims. They refused to obey their officers and revolted.

The revolt failed because many Indians stayed away from the revolt and supported the
British. The British organized themselves and crushed the revolt, the Indians lacked unity
and a strong leadership.

4. What are the changes that the Revolt of 1857 brought to India by the British?
Ans: ● The East India Company’s rule ended and a Viceroy was appointed to rule over India
on behalf of the Crown.
● Indian rulers were allowed to rule their kingdoms under the control of the English.
● Indians were promised freedom to follow their customs and practices.

5. Name two social reformers of India and the social evils they wanted to remove.
Ans: Raja Ram, Mohan Roy, Dayanand Sarawati, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Syed Ahmad
Khan were some of the social reformers who fought against the social evils of sati pratha,
child marriage, widow marriage and female infanticide.

6. After the Revolt of 1857 Indians realized that only a united society could fight to send
the British away. What are the steps taken by the Indians to reinforce this idea?
 Ans: ● Like-minded educated Indians came together to form groups, committees and
associations.
● Traders and businessmen came together and set up factories.
● Associations were formed and schools were set up.
● Indians began to hold meetings and asked for their rights.

7. What is the policy taken by the British Government to suppress the feeling of
nationalism?
Ans: The British Government slowly sowed seeds of hatred between the Hindus and
Muslims by using the policy ‘divide and rule’.

II. Write short notes on:

1. Indian National Congress

A. The Indian National Congress was started by the English man A. O. Hume, in 1885. Its
first meeting was held at Bombay. W. C Banerji was the first President of INC.

2. Mangal Pandey
A. Mangal Pandey was the British serving Indian soldier. He was the first person to
attack British Officer on 29th March 1857, which led to the cause of Revolt of 1857.

3. East India Company.

A. British started East India Company, to control their trading their trading in India,
which made them to conquer and rule India over years .

III. Name the following:

1. Two cash crops . cotton and indigo.

2. The first traders with India . Arabians.
3. The company formed by some merchants of London in 1600. East India Company.
4. The main centres of the Revolt of 1857. Meerut, Jhansi, Kanpur, Awadh
5. The leaders who led the revolt in:
a) Kanpur: Tantia Tope and Nana Sahib
b) Jhansi: Rani Lakshmi Bhai
c) Awadh: Begum Hazrat Mahal
6. The founder of the Indian National Congress: A.O. Hume
7. The first president of the Indian National Congress: W.C.Banerji
8. The term for the feeling of love for one’s own country: Nationalism
9. Crops that are sold to be used as raw materials in factories: Cash crops
10. Economy connected with farming: Agriculture